Sharon B. (bighairtexan) reviewed The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I am a child of the fifties. In fact, the author and I were born in the same year, in the same WEEK (I'm 4 days older). So I lived through many of the same events as Bill Bryson did. But boy, can he find humor in the most mundane things. Cottage cheese for instance. My contacts were floating away in my eyes as I laughed to the point of tears as he discussed cottage cheese of all things.
These little slices of life, growing up in the fifties as par of ...wonder of wonders... a FUNCTIONAL (as opposed to dysfunctional) family brought back so many wonderful memories. Most of his stories would be relevant to anyone growing up in the US no matter what era, but those of us born in or near the 50's will find ourselves nodding and laughing as we read this wonderful book. I loved it.
These little slices of life, growing up in the fifties as par of ...wonder of wonders... a FUNCTIONAL (as opposed to dysfunctional) family brought back so many wonderful memories. Most of his stories would be relevant to anyone growing up in the US no matter what era, but those of us born in or near the 50's will find ourselves nodding and laughing as we read this wonderful book. I loved it.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a low-key but delightful look back at Bryson's growing up years in Des Moines, Iowa in the 1950s. It's not as ambitious as some of his earlier books, like A Walk in the Woods or In a Sunburnt Country, but there are some laugh-out-loud bits, and lots of little details and trivia that paint a picture of life in a simpler time. If you enjoyed his other books, you'll probably get a chuckle out of this one, too.
Helpful Score: 3
Everyone I know "of a certain age" absolutely loves this book. You'll find yourself nodding your head in recognition or shaking your head in disbelief. No doubt about it. Bryson captures the era.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
This was an enjoyable read of life growing up in the 50s and the way people thought. Sometimes it was laugh out loud funny. Having grown up in the 60s and that simpler time of sheltered childhood, I found it very entertaining.
Helpful Score: 1
From his point of view of a boy in the mid century last, this one hits home(some folks homes more often than others). It was a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane on a bike (one speed) and this one went quickly--poof, it was over. But a nice mind vacation.
