Wheels of Thunder

Inspired by a True Account of Life with a Learning Difficulty

Non-Fiction - Self Help
150 Pages
Reviewed on 01/15/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Wheels of Thunder by Stuart Harvey follows the story of a young amateur race car driver as he navigates his life around racing, Asperger's Syndrome, and love. At 21, Stuart Robson never let his autism get in the way of his affinity for automobiles. A gifted mechanic, Stuart pours all his expertise on cars and motorcycles into working on his custom-made BMW "Thunderbolt," with which he hopes to win a race one day. But for all his talents, Stuart struggles to converse with women. When he meets Emily Green, Stuart believes he has fallen in love and goes out of his way to make her happy. However, Emily doesn't realize the extent of Stuart's feelings. After a shocking motorcycle accident, Stuart has a revealing conversation with his subconscious angel, Sophie. And now, he must win the race of his dreams.

Wholesome and heartwarming, Wheels of Thunder is a feel-good story about overcoming the odds through sheer will and passion for something you love. Author Stuart Harvey draws inspiration from his own experiences with autism to tell a beautiful tale that tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you wanting more. The narrative is character-driven and primarily focused on the protagonist, Stuart. Stuart has his own way of navigating the social aspects of his life. But despite his struggles, he has a heart of gold and is immensely talented, and as a reader, you can't help cheering for him as he drives down the raceway. I found his interactions with Emily adorable. All in all, this is the kind of book that leaves you with hope and a smile on your face. Recommended to both young adults and older readers.

Frank Mutuma

Stuart survives a fatal motorcycle accident without many injuries. This surprises people, including the doctors. Stuart has been living with a condition known as Asperger's. Things were very hard while he was growing up as many people could not relate to him. His peers thought of him as weird. Learning other things and forming social relationships was difficult for Stuart, but he had another talent to make up for this. His understanding of mechanics and his fascination with driving were beyond what anyone could fathom. Emily Green is a hard-working university student. One day, she follows her father to meet Stuart's father, and that's when she meets Stuart. Despite his condition, Stuart feels a connection immediately. To find out how things unfold between Emily and Stuart, pick up a copy of Wheels of Thunder by Stuart Harvey.

Wheels of Thunder by Stuart Harvey is wonderfully written, with highly engaging dialogue and perfect narration that adds to the overall beauty of the book. I found it to be thought-provoking, and it triggered my curiosity to read more about people on the autism spectrum. The unique plotline flows seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion for the reader, and the interesting characters are well-developed and relatable. Stuart also did an excellent job of vividly describing the events and emotions of the characters, which made the book enjoyable and helped to capture my imagination. The easy-to-understand language and the warm tone adopted also make it appealing and accessible to all readers. I am looking forward to reading something else by this talented author.

Doreen Chombu

Stuart Robson is a young mechanic who dreams of building a race car to compete in a race one day. He has Asperger's Syndrome, which is on the autistic spectrum, and he struggles with minor tasks like making a cup of tea or ironing his clothes. However, he finds it easy to dismantle and reassemble a car or machine, and with the help of his family and his best friend, Ben, he builds Thunderbolt, his very own race car. Stuart also meets a girl he likes for the first time in his life, but he doesn't know how to approach her. Gathering his courage, he pursues her, but will he find love and win his race? Find out in Wheels of Thunder by Stuart Harvey.

Wheels of Thunder took me by surprise with its unique storyline. The book is not just about building cars, it also explores themes of family, friendship, love, and authenticity. Stuart shares his journey of self-discovery, drawing readers into his world full of dreams and mental struggles. His remarkable skill in fixing cars and machinery, along with his idiosyncrasies, sets him apart. However, his loved ones treat him like an ordinary person, which makes him feel loved and safe. The book raises awareness about autism and encourages readers to pursue their dreams, regardless of their circumstances. I found it hard to put the book down because the narrative is fast-paced, intriguing, and easy to follow. It is captivating and has the potential to become a movie. The ending was satisfying yet left room for a sequel, which I am eagerly anticipating. I enjoyed reading Stuart Harvey's work and look forward to reading more of his books.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Wheels of Thunder by Stuart Harvey is an inspiring story about Stuart Robson, a twenty-one-year-old with autism. Despite being misunderstood by his family and friends, Stuart finds solace in his love for cars and motorcycles, which has helped him connect with them. Like any other driver, Stuart loves speed and has dreams of winning a race with a touring race car. To achieve this, he decides to build his own race car, which he names the Thunderbolt. While constructing the car, he meets Emily, a girl who reminds him of the angel he sees in his dreams, and he hopes to be in a relationship with her. Although everything seems to be going well for him, he still has hurdles and issues to overcome before he can achieve his dreams.

Wheels of Thunder is a beautiful story inspired by real events from Stuart Harvey's life. The book provides readers with an insight into the mind of a person living with autism and showcases the power of determination. Stuart is an admirable character whom I could not help but root for. I found it endearing how he addressed cars like they were close friends, and I loved how he worked hard to prove that he could be self-reliant. It was heartwarming to see the unconditional love and support from his family and best friend. The book has a unique and extraordinary romantic theme that transcends human understanding and provides unexpected twists. I enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves heartwarming stories about overcoming fears and reaching for their dreams.

Essien Asian

The factory where Stuart works may be getting shut down but where other people see disappointment, the young man sees an opportunity. He never really got along with his boss in the first place but the really big advantage is he gets to spend time on his pet project. Stewart has been working hard to fix up the engine in his stock car so he can enter it in a race at Silverstone. With his father and his friend working beside him, he believes they can finish up in time to enter the competition. Nothing prepares him for the whirlwind that is about to enter his life in the form of Emily. Read along as hearts, minds, and motor oil collide in Stuart Harvey’s Wheels Of Thunder.

Stuart Harvey gives us a unique view of the inner workings of an autistic mind in Wheels Of Thunder. The plot involves a challenged young man who wants to build a car that can compete in a race but finds love while at it. The characters are an interesting group with unusual origin stories that will bring a smile to your face. The conversations between the characters are simple and easy enough for any reader to follow. Harvey’s comparison of the workings of Stuart’s inner mind to that of a computer makes it easier for the reader to understand his sometimes unusual motivation for doing certain things. An example of this would be the date with Emily. I love that the building blocks of their relationship are based on their shared passion for automotive excellence. This leads to very interesting conversations on the workings of a combustion engine. I enjoyed reading Wheels Of Thunder with its unique take on rising above your difficulties to succeed.