To Major Tom

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic exploration of pop fandom
Review: The Bowie Letters chronicles a three-decade, one-way correspondence between the narrator, Gary, and David Bowie. What emerges in these letters is one of the finest meditations on what it means to be a pop fan that I have ever read.

Those who liked Nick Horby's "High Fidelity" but found themselves arguing with the narrator's selections of Desert Island Discs will enjoy this novel. It's a must-have for anyone who's spent too many hours over the years pouring over the liner notes of their favorite artist's albums.

My only complaints are two: 1) A discography of David Bowie would have been a nice addendum. Although one needn't be a Bowie fan to enjoy the book, my utter lack of knowledge about Bowie (I knew there was period in Berlin and I have ChangesBowie)sometimes made all the talk of reissues and Bowie's early work... not quite confusing, but a bit difficult to follow. 2) The end of the book lacks the charm and gusto of the first 250 pages. One of the most interesting questions that arises with any lifelong passion, particularly a passion for a musical artist, is how does that passion sustain itself or change over the years? What makes some people outgrow pop, and others not? Dave Thompson touches on this question, but it remains a mystery why Gary at 40 is still writing letters (albeit more sporadically) to the same pop star he wrote to at 16. Is it simply inertia that keeps us going?

Anyhow-- it's a question I pondered after completing this very enjoyable book, reminiscent of both Nick Hornby and Bob Greene's excellent BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL. Highly recommended.