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I guess I need to read more Bill Bryson books now, since the reading group assured me this wasn't his best. I love the childish viewpoint and humor, the innocence of simply zapping the bad guys then carrying on.
In my case that means non-fiction and memoir, and I felt my heart sinking (unless I'd just eaten too many of my friend's delicious snacks) when the choice was made to read Thunderbolt Kid. Then I bought the book.
Our reading group has this strange idea that we should read outside our comfort zones. More to the point, my family found me laughing out loud and wondered what was wrong.I love this book.
Then I left the book on a bookshelf, uninspired by the ancient sweater hung out to dry on the front cover and reluctant to believe in the "laugh-out-loud" promise of Tom Brokaw's praise on the back.Still, duty called. I started to read and found myself laughing out loud.
Okay; bad guys / teacher / unwelcome strangers not gone, but then, that's life.Bill Bryson, Thunderbolt Kid, comes to life in the writing, as does the world of 50s and 60 America; not the same world as mine, then or now, but a recognizable one; sad in its errors, innocent in its enthusiasms, pure in its childlike, zany heart. It was plenty good enough for me.
A great book, especially for those of us about 10 years of age in the 50's
Such a joy to read. Even though I wasn't around during that time it makes it real. "The State Senate of Illinois yesterday disbanded its Committee on Efficiency and Economy. "for reasons of efficiency and economy"" :) Just delirious and hilarous. The timeline of the 50s and beyond so vivid and amusing. Loved the book.
Life is how you perceive it. If you are from the 1950's you will relate.
A chortle is to laugh and if laughter is the best medicine, then this book far exceeds all expectations.How does Bill Bryson do it. The man is in a class of his own.
What is a chortle. The list goes on.
With clever, brilliant turns of the pen, his witticism is the stuff literary legends are made of.So, let's jump into the time machine and go back to 1950's Des Moines, Iowa and see how he launches into growing up. Stories of why to avoid poison sumac; Uncle Dee and cottage cheese; how to bleach Lincoln Logs; different kinds of candies, toys and comic books of the `50's; Getting in trouble at Saturday matinees; rascally schooldays; best friends such as Milton Milton, Buddy Doberman, the resourceful and prankish antics of Doug Willoughby and not to forget the nubile Mary O'Leary; Pot-luck dinners with all the Mom's called Mabel (and of course all the dishes were various concoctions of meatloaf); atomic toilets and rocket mail; the toity jar; state fair and the stripper tent;Downtown as a kid, and how it slowly disappeared.
If not from this time period, you are still guaranteed to laugh. And Bill Bryson perceives it just fine.
After reading the book which was given to me to make the time following surgery go faster a year ago, I laughed nearly as hard as to pull stitches loose. It's people here who gave me the book. He called.
I grew up in Rockford, IL, and I'm a little older than Bill Bryson. Is it that Bishops is the finest restaurent in town. No, I didn't grow up in Des Moines, although knew it was over in Iowa somewhere.
"Is it the dentist who doesn't believe in novocain. But the exeriences growing up aren't far different. We lived in different towns together and played with the same toys.This year I gave a copy of the book to my brother for Christmas and told him to call if he had any questions why I would send that book.
Nobody growing up in the midwest in the 40's - 60's will miss the great humor, nor will they fail to identify with and remember "the day."I live in PA now. So, it must have a wider than midwestern appeal.
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