What do you think?
Rate this book
A Man Called Norman
Little did Mike Adkins know, when he moved into his new house, that one of his new neighbors was "Weird Norman," the old eccentric every town seems to have. His first encounter with Norman confirmed that he was a strange character, to say the least. In the years that followed, however, the two men developed a warm and unusual friendship. And God used Norman to teach Mike what it means to obey one of the great commandments of Scripture: Love your neighbor as yourself. Mike also learned a simple trust in the Lord that was to change the whole course of his life.
178 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
6 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
February 1, 2012
Several years ago, my wife was at the video store looking for a family video that we could watch on Saturday evening and brought home a VHS tape of a true story entitled A Man Called Norman. We really enjoyed seeing it. A few years later I saw a book in the CBD catalogue by the same title and bought it, though it took some time before I actually read it. Author Mike Adkins grew up in West Frankfort, IL, not far from where we now live in Salem, IL. His mother was a God-fearing woman who took her nine children to church, and his father, though a good, moral man, was not particularly religious. After graduating from high school, Mike pursued a career in popular music and drifted away from the Lord for a time but eventually returned.
After marrying Carmel, having two daughters, Tracy and Tricia, and getting a job as inspector at the local coal mines, Mike bought a house in 1973 which, to his great chagrin, he found was across the street from a man named Norman Corbin, whom he described as “the odd, creepy guy every town seems to have.” Even when Mike was growing up, all the kids in town liked to tease and torment Norman. However, over the next few years, he developed a relationship with Norman that taught him not only what it means to love your neighbor as yourself but also a lot about himself as well. Mike writes about things fixing Norman’s home, taking him to a St. Louis Cardinal’s ball game, tending to his health needs, and eventually leading him to the Lord. Also, what Mike learned from Norman helped him to lead his dad to the Lord too.
Eventually, Mike left the mines and began a career in “Christian music.” He started telling the story of Norman at his engagements. This led to his being invited on the Focus on the Family radio program and a recording of Mike’s story about Norman. Next came the movie version which we saw. And finally, there is the book which tells the rest of the story. There are some things in the book with which those associated with churches of Christ will not agree, such as calling the preacher pastor, believing that we inherit the sin of Adam and Eve, simply praying for salvation, special singing in church services, using instrumental music in praising God, and the implication that God speaks directly to people today. Of course, these are certainly common concepts in the religious world today. But putting them aside, since they are not really emphasized, A Man Called Norman is a heartwarming tale about the willingness to reach out and touch the life of a neglected, elderly neighbor, and always striving to follow God’s plan in one’s life.
After marrying Carmel, having two daughters, Tracy and Tricia, and getting a job as inspector at the local coal mines, Mike bought a house in 1973 which, to his great chagrin, he found was across the street from a man named Norman Corbin, whom he described as “the odd, creepy guy every town seems to have.” Even when Mike was growing up, all the kids in town liked to tease and torment Norman. However, over the next few years, he developed a relationship with Norman that taught him not only what it means to love your neighbor as yourself but also a lot about himself as well. Mike writes about things fixing Norman’s home, taking him to a St. Louis Cardinal’s ball game, tending to his health needs, and eventually leading him to the Lord. Also, what Mike learned from Norman helped him to lead his dad to the Lord too.
Eventually, Mike left the mines and began a career in “Christian music.” He started telling the story of Norman at his engagements. This led to his being invited on the Focus on the Family radio program and a recording of Mike’s story about Norman. Next came the movie version which we saw. And finally, there is the book which tells the rest of the story. There are some things in the book with which those associated with churches of Christ will not agree, such as calling the preacher pastor, believing that we inherit the sin of Adam and Eve, simply praying for salvation, special singing in church services, using instrumental music in praising God, and the implication that God speaks directly to people today. Of course, these are certainly common concepts in the religious world today. But putting them aside, since they are not really emphasized, A Man Called Norman is a heartwarming tale about the willingness to reach out and touch the life of a neglected, elderly neighbor, and always striving to follow God’s plan in one’s life.
March 28, 2014
In a town where everyone knows everyone else, everyone knows Norman is odd. But Mike and Carmel Adkins buy their first home and find Norman living in the “haunted house” across the street. It’s okay God having them live next door to a Catholic and a Methodist, but across the street from someone who’s almost certainly mad? Did God not hear their prayers?
And then Mike hears God—not a heavenly choir, and not a voice from the stars, but perhaps one of those gentle nudges we all feel from time to time (or perhaps just his own desire to be different?). He feels a sudden concern that maybe Norman needs a friend, or even, that he might like to watch TV... eventually even that he might to live in a clean house. But what should Mike do when someone else tells him Norman’s possessed? Where is the line between faithful bravery and human folly?
Kindness, risk, judgment and mercy interweave through this short book. There’s a pleasing self-deprecating humor (and some truly humorous scenes). There’s also a nice sense of balance between true kindness and misplaced self-aggrandizement. And there’s faith, as Mike witnesses to others and learns how far he still has to go, and as God witnesses through Norman. What a witness that is!
If you think doing good things will make you good, or if you’re wondering why doing good things doesn’t seem to make you feel good, this is the book for you. If you just want to see inside the life of your local Norman and realize he’s a normal human being; if you just want a pleasant Christian read; or you're willing to risk that quiet nudge that reminds you who you are... and why. Never preachy; this is just a simple, simply-told good book.
Disclosure: A friend at church loaned this book to me, and it fitted our Bible study perfectly.
And then Mike hears God—not a heavenly choir, and not a voice from the stars, but perhaps one of those gentle nudges we all feel from time to time (or perhaps just his own desire to be different?). He feels a sudden concern that maybe Norman needs a friend, or even, that he might like to watch TV... eventually even that he might to live in a clean house. But what should Mike do when someone else tells him Norman’s possessed? Where is the line between faithful bravery and human folly?
Kindness, risk, judgment and mercy interweave through this short book. There’s a pleasing self-deprecating humor (and some truly humorous scenes). There’s also a nice sense of balance between true kindness and misplaced self-aggrandizement. And there’s faith, as Mike witnesses to others and learns how far he still has to go, and as God witnesses through Norman. What a witness that is!
If you think doing good things will make you good, or if you’re wondering why doing good things doesn’t seem to make you feel good, this is the book for you. If you just want to see inside the life of your local Norman and realize he’s a normal human being; if you just want a pleasant Christian read; or you're willing to risk that quiet nudge that reminds you who you are... and why. Never preachy; this is just a simple, simply-told good book.
Disclosure: A friend at church loaned this book to me, and it fitted our Bible study perfectly.
February 27, 2012
This book served as a great reminder of what God wants us all to do. The author encountered a different neighbor, Norman, who was very different and, indeed, difficult to love. But he loved him anyway. Actively. Mike Adkins did it right. And he made Norman's life better, and his own. And the world is a better place because of their relationship and because their story has been shared.
Any author runs a risk, though, when writing any book starring himself as the hero, a risk of becoming self-indulgent and braggadocious. And this author fell into the trap. Despite his best efforts, at times, Adkins seemed to be screaming, "Look at Me!" and "What a wonderful Christian I am!" But, I'll give him a break because he deserves to be looked at and seems to be a wonderful Christian. I'm also not sure that the book could have been written in any other way.
There's also a little theological difference affecting my thoughts on the book. I'm a Methodist and Adkins is a Baptist. I'll give him kudos for making Methodists look good in the book. But, in my opinion, Adkins spent too much time and effort working to convince Norman to accept God, pray, and ask God into his life. But God was already there. He's already present within the hearts of every human being on the planet. It's called prevenient grace. That's the deep, philosophical point. But our theological difference shows in a smaller way too. Adkins tells a tale about himself in his pre-Norman days, when he was singing with a band at a bar around Christmas one year, and led the place in Christmas carols. This, Adkins believes was "blasphemous." I disagree. I think it could have been as important as befriending Norman. Drunks in bars are people too, people for whom the gift of Christmas was given. And who knows, one of them may have heard a carol and changed their life. And, if not, there's nothing wrong with praising God anywhere, anytime.
I think the story is best taken as a challenge. It is a challenge to all of us to look differently than we are tempted to look at the folks that we encounter every day. Are there people around you who you don't understand? Are there people around you who, frankly, you don't like? Are there people around you who you avoid? Well, guess what . . . all of those people are God's very own children. Would you treat the only begotten Son of God the way that you're treating these children of that same God?
Any author runs a risk, though, when writing any book starring himself as the hero, a risk of becoming self-indulgent and braggadocious. And this author fell into the trap. Despite his best efforts, at times, Adkins seemed to be screaming, "Look at Me!" and "What a wonderful Christian I am!" But, I'll give him a break because he deserves to be looked at and seems to be a wonderful Christian. I'm also not sure that the book could have been written in any other way.
There's also a little theological difference affecting my thoughts on the book. I'm a Methodist and Adkins is a Baptist. I'll give him kudos for making Methodists look good in the book. But, in my opinion, Adkins spent too much time and effort working to convince Norman to accept God, pray, and ask God into his life. But God was already there. He's already present within the hearts of every human being on the planet. It's called prevenient grace. That's the deep, philosophical point. But our theological difference shows in a smaller way too. Adkins tells a tale about himself in his pre-Norman days, when he was singing with a band at a bar around Christmas one year, and led the place in Christmas carols. This, Adkins believes was "blasphemous." I disagree. I think it could have been as important as befriending Norman. Drunks in bars are people too, people for whom the gift of Christmas was given. And who knows, one of them may have heard a carol and changed their life. And, if not, there's nothing wrong with praising God anywhere, anytime.
I think the story is best taken as a challenge. It is a challenge to all of us to look differently than we are tempted to look at the folks that we encounter every day. Are there people around you who you don't understand? Are there people around you who, frankly, you don't like? Are there people around you who you avoid? Well, guess what . . . all of those people are God's very own children. Would you treat the only begotten Son of God the way that you're treating these children of that same God?
August 27, 2011
This book is a christian book. I am a christian so I can relate with the principles touched in this book. However, I am not an active christian as of the moment. Consider me in hibernation, of which I am not really proud of. Thus, upon reading this book, I felt the littlest revival and I am hungering for more. I hope to read more christian books in the future so I can once again be that active christian that I once was before.
June 1, 2022
An older book, but a fascinating story. Perhaps I'm a bit cynical, because I couldn't help but wonder if the book wasn't a bit self-serving for the author, despite his claim that God got him to relinquish that attitude before allowing him to publish the story. Reasonably well written though and makes some good observations.
July 23, 2017
The author seems dedicated to his own ego gratification as he helps his neighbor become the person he wants him to be. He doesn't seem able to ask what the man wants but makes him do as Mike wants him to do. At least the author can admit that he wants everyone to admire him for being such a compassionate guy. Oh, compassion is "shared suffering," but Mike just wants Norman to do as he wants him to do.
And the writing isn't very good.
This sort of book is usually read by people who really really really like this sort of book. I don't know how it ended up on my bookshelf. I don't usually end up with a lot of vanity press stuff.
And the writing isn't very good.
This sort of book is usually read by people who really really really like this sort of book. I don't know how it ended up on my bookshelf. I don't usually end up with a lot of vanity press stuff.
March 30, 2022
Great story and an easy read. I'm not proud to say that I could put myself in the author's shoes. I think every small town has a person like Norman but very few are brave enough to do the right thing and open their heart/life to Norman. I'm so glad Adkins did that and as the story shows, it helped Adkins' own life as well as helping Norman's.
February 14, 2018
This was a really good book about how God works in the author's life. His life is completely changed from his relationship with Norman, as is Norman's. Following God's plan for our lives makes things so much easier! It's a quick read but not fluff.
April 4, 2020
-LEÍDO EN ESPAÑOL-
Me resultó muy interesante, aunque no comparto la visión de que si la persona hace una oración para recibir a Cristo, es automáticamente salva.
Creo que está bueno para aprender a tratar con personas diferentes o marginados (los verdaderos marginados)
Me resultó muy interesante, aunque no comparto la visión de que si la persona hace una oración para recibir a Cristo, es automáticamente salva.
Creo que está bueno para aprender a tratar con personas diferentes o marginados (los verdaderos marginados)
September 12, 2021
Mike was taken back when he moved into his new house and saw “weird Norman “but God had a different plan for him. Mike begain to focus on someone beside himself and obey the commands of Scripture to love his neighbor as himself.
Read
February 6, 2020Good story
February 28, 2021
Atkins shows us all many simple lessons of life that we quite often dismiss because we aren’t humble by what He brings to us. It’s a quick read and good for all.
January 30, 2024
Love this book! If you are looking for inspiration I friendships and loving one another, this is it.
December 29, 2024
Read in a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. A lovely story from two people’s lives, but encased very much in an 1980’s American Church world environment. Don’t let that out you off, though. :-)
Read
April 29, 2008Adkins, Mike 209.2
April 4, 2009
pointless.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews