The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

by Bill Bryson

Let me start by saying that I love Bill Bryson's writing. He is funny. He gets it right. And I often recommend his books to people.

But I didn't like this book.

I like Bryson's travel writing. This is not travel writing. Instead, this is his memoir of growing up in the fifties in Des Moines. First of all, Des Moines is not interesting. Second of all, his childhood is not interesting. Thirdly, the fifties aren't too interesting.

I don't know why he wrote this book. It's not his usual thing. And I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you grew up in Des Moines in the the fifties. Then you might like it.

1/11/07