This is another autobiographical gem from Bill Bryson.
It tells of his
childhood in 1950’s mid western USA, in the
town of Des Moines. Prosperity was growing, needs were still relatively few and simple and people believed what was advertised on TV. Bryson’s humorous genius is in his ability to carry you along on an entertaining and compulsive narrative which suddenly and unexpectedly makes a turn, which stops you in your tracks and leaves you in a helpless heap of laughter.
In this book you find yourself viewing an uncomplicated child’s version of reality, populated by a loving family and a strange assortment of
friends (mostly boys) who have trademark characteristics (‘Lumpy’ because there was always a lump of poo in his pants!). Bill’s father was a nationally recognised sport writer who spent a lot of time away from home and his dizzy, forgetful mother worked for the local newspaper. So now we know – Bill’s writing talent was INHERETED! The Thunderbolt kid of the title is little Bill’s alter-ego superhero. If anyone upset or annoyed him he would change into the Thunderbolt Kid and zapp them out of existence.
Young Bill was not an angel by any means, but his mischievous exploits were mainly harmless e.g. locking the cubicles in the cinema toilets and then climbing over the top of the door. He and his friends wandered the streets, parks and woods of the town with a freedom unknown now. They climbed, raced, fought, sustained minor injuries and lived a rough and tumble life that would be looked upon with horror today. His performance and attendance record at school were appallingly bad but obviously it has not done him any permanent harm!
As he enters puberty he tells of his discovery of hormones and smoking. The book slides to a stop with an account of creeping consumerism which brings to an end an age of innocent, childish delights.