Book Review: The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid  By Bill Bryson

You're either a fan of Bill Bryson's books or you hate them. I am the former. Yes, he come across as nerdy and patronising but I just find his view on the world so interesting. He finds humour in things and places that you would never have thought could be funny or interesting. So when I picked up 'Thunderbolt Kid' at my local public library I couldn't wait to read Bryson's memoir of his childhood (even though the book came out in 2006). Growing up in the American Mid-West in the 1950's and '60s sounds kinda neat. Bryson is nostalgic about the era he grew up in yet at the same time does a brilliant job of retrospectively taking the piss out of the lifestyle and events that happened. I think the reason I enjoy Bryson's writing so much is his ability as a story teller. His recollections of events from his younger days almost make you wish you could go back and live in a time where it was massive news when Playboy first showed pubic hair in their magazine...I said almost.

3.72/5