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Cover of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

Non-Fiction · 2010 · G

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

by Bill Bryson

Growing up in 1950s Des Moines — and the best decade in American history (according to Bryson)

From one of the most beloved and bestselling authors in the English language, a vivid, nostalgic and utterly hilarious memoir of growing up in the middle of the United States in the middle of the last century. A book that delivers on the promise that it is “laugh-out-loud funny.” Some say that the first hints that Bill Bryson was not of Planet Earth came from his discovery, at the age of six, of a woollen jersey of rare fineness. Across the moth-holed chest was a golden thunderbolt. It may have looked like an old college football sweater, but young Bryson knew better. It was obviously the Sacr

ForAll agesGenreNon-FictionLength284 pagesRead time~7.5 hoursCommunity ratings0

This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →

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What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.

Violence

None

No violence; the 'vaporizing' is pure comedy fantasy

Language

Barely any

Mild language; Bryson's warm, accessible style

Sexual Content

None

No sexual content

Substance Use

None

Mild references to social drinking in the period setting

Emotional Intensity

None

No psychological intensity concerns; purely entertaining

What this book is about

Bill Bryson's memoir-essay hybrid about growing up in 1950s Des Moines, Iowa, is an affectionate tribute to mid-century American life, with Bryson's characteristic blend of funny personal anecdote and broader historical observation. The Thunderbolt Kid is Bryson's imagined superhero alter ego who could vaporize irritating people. Warm, nostalgic, and consistently funny. Appropriate for all adult readers and mature teens.

Notes for sensitive readers

Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.

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