Alien

"Alien" by George O. (George Oliver) Smith, is a mid-20th century science fiction novel that plunges into the utterly bizarre when a man sprouts feathers instead of hair. This kicks off a wild ride for Lieutenant Timothy McDowell, who finds himself investigating a riot started by this feathered fellow thus blurring the line between human understanding and the possibility of life beyond Earth. As McDowell and his team dig deeper, they entertain theories from radiation-induced mutations to actual alien origins, all while the "feathered man" comically seeks to exploit his uniqueness for fame. The story weaves a playful narrative, as it looks at identity, societal reactions, and the sheer oddity of existence.