The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
- 7 hrs 39 min
- Read by the author
- Rated 4.5 ★ on Audible
Peter’s Verdict
A nostalgic, vivid and often hilarious audiobook that captures the essence of childhood. Although aimed at baby boomers, anyone will appreciate it.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is a memoir of growing up during the 1950s and early 1960s in Des Moines, Iowa. The book is framed within Bill Bryson’s childhood fantasy of being a superhero, the Thunderbolt Kid. Among other things, Bryson recalls his father’s career as a sportswriter, his mother’s awkward experiments with cooking, and the outrageous adventures of his infamous traveling companion, Stephen Katz.
Audiobooks narrated by the author are usually really good or really bad. In this case, it’s the former. Bryson’s blend of Midwestern and English accent is easy on the ears, and his delivery perfectly suits his dry sense of humor.
It’s nice to come across an audiobook where the author actually enjoyed his childhood.
After listening to a number of “misery memoirs” this past year, such as Angela’s Ashes and The Glass Castle, this one was a breath of fresh air.
It’s a memoir of growing up in the middle of the United States in the middle of the last century, and you don’t need to have lived through it to enjoy it.
Want to save on this audiobook? See the best audiobook deals right now.
Listen if…
- You enjoy dry, observational humor
- You want a funny, warm memoir after heavier ones
- You like author-narrated audiobooks
Skip it if…
- You’re looking for a gripping or dramatic life story: this one is gentle and nostalgic
Where to listen to The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
Audible has the Bill Bryson recording.
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it doesn’t change our recommendations. How we make money.
Liked this review?
One email a week: the best current audiobook deals and one editor’s pick.
