The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Bill Bryson's hilarious memoir of growing up in middle America in the Fifties, complete, unabridged, and read by the author.

Born in 1951 in the middle of the United States, Des Moines, Iowa, Bill Bryson is perfectly positioned to mine his memories of a totally all-American childhood for 24 carat memoir gold. Like millions of his generation, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around the house wearing a jersey with a thunderbolt on it and a towel round his neck that served as his cape, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and vanquishing evildoers (in his head) as The Thunderbolt Kid.

Using his old fantasy life as a springboard, Bill Bryson recreates the life of his family in the 1950s in all its transcendent normality. In a period that saw the inexorable rise of television, the opening of Disneyland, the testing of the atomic bomb, and the explosion of choice in everything from food to cars, Bill Bryson's days followed in reassuringly cosy succession, enlivened by modest triumphs and disasters.

Warm and laugh-out-loud funny, The Thunderbolt Kid is full of Bill Bryson's inimitable, pitch-perfect observations and this unabridged recording contains every single amusing anecdote and amazing fact. Nothing is left out, so you can enjoy the whole book in its entirety, read by Bill Bryson himself.

©2014 Audible, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The way he tells it, to be a child in 1950s Middle America was very heaven... His own happy scrapes and triumphs (mostly scrapes) contain a good few laugh-out-loud moments, but with trademark modesty he conjures an entire era, ' the ancient lost world of the mid-20th-century.'" ( The Sunday Times, Audio book of the week)

"Considerable added value as it is read unabridged by its author, Bill Bryson." (The Times)

A very entertaining read

I am a fan or Bryson and I listened to this book on my daily walking commute to work and I wonder how many times my fellow commuters wondered on the source of my smile. Although I was a child of the 60s not the 50s and grew up in the UK, not the US, I could appreciate many of Bryons insightful observations but the highlight is the witty descriptions he applies to his childhood experiences.

Absolutely loved this book, nicely read!

I loved this book, well read with just enough wit and humour to make me laugh out loud at times. sincere and heart-warming at times. a must read or listen for anyone who enjoys Bill Bryson!

A superhero's life in the superhero's words

Would you listen to The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid again? Why?

I am listening to it again and again already!!! It is the funniest memoir I've read, period.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid?

There were quite a few, my favourite was when Bill Bryson was caught reading comics on his desk when the rest of his class was sitting under their desks for a mock air raid preparation.

The funniest was the todie jar incident, which involved peeing, jars, food and an absent minded mother. But the best bits were the turn of phrase that Bill employed and his own voice which add a texture and nuance which the other reader of this book can never match.

Other memorable moments were when Bill talked about the reality of life in the 50s, such as racism, sex and America's obession with communism. Bill only mentioned these issues in short but extremely well researched

What does Bill Bryson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Bill's voice and nuance. It really does add stars to the book. If I could, I would give the book 6 stars, instead of 5, as Bill's own narration really takes the book up another level.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Funny, real, scary, great, and unmissable - The Wonder Years of Bill Bryson in the 50s.

Any additional comments?

For those people craving a longer book, this book despite its 7-8 hour length feels longer. Also, the rehearings will really add up as you are gaurenteed to listen to it again.

A fun read.

What made the experience of listening to The Life & Times of the Thunderbolt Kid the most enjoyable?

The irony of Bryson's memory as always. Despite a US upbringing it found resonances in my own UK boyhood.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I had no complaints. Some actors might have made it even funnier.

What three words best describe Bill Bryson’s voice?

Funny, observant, ironic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No but nothing to do with the book only my time.

Any additional comments?

Classic Bryson. Adults probably like this more than kids. Mine thought it was 'rude' which makes them seem a lot more naive than I was at their age (14/15).

Loved it!

Any additional comments?

A great insight into America's heydays in the 1950s and 60s - laced with great humour, historical events and social insights. There was something very special about post second world war America - an unmatched optimism sometimes founded on blissful ignorance but always supported by a burning ambition - and Bill Bryson unfolds these contradictions with affection and humour. Having the author read the book only added to the authenticity of the story and helped me feel closer to one of my favourite authors.

A classic Bryson

This book made us all laugh out loud and captures a moment in time so beautifully.

Too many icky bits

I have enjoyed Bryson's other books but this one is an in-your-face reminder of how actually disgusting little boys can be - his loving and graphic descriptions of the things boys get up to had me almost sick; I had to stop listening. Some listeners may delight in remembering the sheer ickiness of childhood experience, but I didn't.

Only Americans Please

If it is funny, it is only for the American. It is not like his earlier books. Not a classic global book which everyone can enjoy.