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The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
"Charming, warm and uplifting...there is so much to love about this book."—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This is How It Always Is
A triumphant and touching debut about the unlikeliest superstar you’ll ever meet.
Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his best friend, Jax, are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a plan to take their act all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. But when Jax dies, Norman decides the only fitting tribute is to perform at the festival himself. The problem is, Norman’s not the funny one. Jax was.
There’s also another, far more colossal objective on Norman’s new plan that his single mom, Sadie, wasn’t ready for: he wants to find the father he’s never known. Determined to put a smile back on her boy’s face, Sadie resolves to face up to her own messy past, get Norman to the Fringe and help track down a man whose identity is a mystery, even to her.
Julietta Henderson’s delightfully funny and tender debut takes us on a road trip with a mother and son who will live in the reader’s heart for a long time to come, and teaches us that—no matter the odds—we must always reach for the stars.
A triumphant and touching debut about the unlikeliest superstar you’ll ever meet.
Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his best friend, Jax, are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a plan to take their act all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. But when Jax dies, Norman decides the only fitting tribute is to perform at the festival himself. The problem is, Norman’s not the funny one. Jax was.
There’s also another, far more colossal objective on Norman’s new plan that his single mom, Sadie, wasn’t ready for: he wants to find the father he’s never known. Determined to put a smile back on her boy’s face, Sadie resolves to face up to her own messy past, get Norman to the Fringe and help track down a man whose identity is a mystery, even to her.
Julietta Henderson’s delightfully funny and tender debut takes us on a road trip with a mother and son who will live in the reader’s heart for a long time to come, and teaches us that—no matter the odds—we must always reach for the stars.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2021
531 people are currently reading
10837 people want to read
About the author
Julietta Henderson
5 books169 followersJulietta Henderson grew up in the rainforests of North Queensland, and developed her passion for the written word producing 'magazines' for school friends and neighbours with her sister. She has worked her way through jobs as diverse as bicycle tour guide in Tuscany, nanny in the Italian Alps and breakfast waitress in the wilds of Scotland. Like many Australians, her love affair with Europe began when she came to London and stayed for more than a decade.
Now a full-time writer, Julietta divides her life between Melbourne, the UK and wherever else she can find winter.
Now a full-time writer, Julietta divides her life between Melbourne, the UK and wherever else she can find winter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,239 reviews
April 1, 2021
Best friends Jax Fenton and Norman Foreman are twelve, they love comedy and are a duo like Morecambe and Wise. They have a five year plan with the objective of the Edinburgh Fringe. The unthinkable happens and Jax tragically dies but Norman’s mum Sadie, more than able assisted by colleague and pensioner Leonard Cobcroft, resolve that Norman WILL do the Fringe this year. What evolves is a road trip of fun and discovery. The story is told alternately by Norman and Sadie.
This is a debut novel and all I can say is wow! Try to picture a bittersweet memory, one that makes you smile or laugh but is tinged with some sadness - that encapsulates this book. This is a sweet, captivating, funny and utterly charming story that enthrals from beginning to end. The characters are absolutely wonderful (except for Sadie’s bah humbug boss), Sadie thinks she’s a rubbish mother, she is so not that, she’s the best. Norman, plagued by psoriasis, is simply fantastic as he’s brave, bold as well as funny and Leonard is a true friend. They meet some terrific characters along the circuitous route to Edinburgh such as Big Al, they stay in some less than salubrious highly rated Trip Advisor accommodation and get into some scrapes! Although Jax is obviously not present for these adventures you feel his exuberant presence and comedic pearls of wisdom. There’s a lot of wisdom generally in the book in particular endurance, keeping going no matter what life throws at you. There’s a lot of kindness including from strangers, there’s overwhelmingly the power of love and friendship which eventually enables the throwing off of weighty baggage. There’s sadness but there’s much joy and laughter as well as tears of happiness.
Thank you gorgeous Norman and fabulous Sadie et al for your marvellous company for a few hours and to Julietta Henderson for a lovely novel. I hope this book is a success as it deserves to be and I hope the author is cracking on with the next one - sign me up now please!!!
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK/Transworld/Bantam for the arc for an honest review.
This is a debut novel and all I can say is wow! Try to picture a bittersweet memory, one that makes you smile or laugh but is tinged with some sadness - that encapsulates this book. This is a sweet, captivating, funny and utterly charming story that enthrals from beginning to end. The characters are absolutely wonderful (except for Sadie’s bah humbug boss), Sadie thinks she’s a rubbish mother, she is so not that, she’s the best. Norman, plagued by psoriasis, is simply fantastic as he’s brave, bold as well as funny and Leonard is a true friend. They meet some terrific characters along the circuitous route to Edinburgh such as Big Al, they stay in some less than salubrious highly rated Trip Advisor accommodation and get into some scrapes! Although Jax is obviously not present for these adventures you feel his exuberant presence and comedic pearls of wisdom. There’s a lot of wisdom generally in the book in particular endurance, keeping going no matter what life throws at you. There’s a lot of kindness including from strangers, there’s overwhelmingly the power of love and friendship which eventually enables the throwing off of weighty baggage. There’s sadness but there’s much joy and laughter as well as tears of happiness.
Thank you gorgeous Norman and fabulous Sadie et al for your marvellous company for a few hours and to Julietta Henderson for a lovely novel. I hope this book is a success as it deserves to be and I hope the author is cracking on with the next one - sign me up now please!!!
With thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House UK/Transworld/Bantam for the arc for an honest review.
January 12, 2022
What do you do when you're twelve years old and the best friend you've ever had, the "Rolls-bloody-Royce" of best friends, dies? When he was the other half of your comedy duo - the Morecombe to your Wise, Ronnie Corbett to your Ronnie Barker? What happens now to the five year plan you made to perform together at the Edinburgh Fringe? Well, maybe you just need to come up with a new plan.
Norman Foreman is grief-stricken when his best friend Jax dies suddenly. There is a huge Jax shaped hole in his life that no one else can fill. Always outgoing, outspoken and never still, Jax not only made quieter, shyer Norman funny and popular, he made him brave and got him into all sorts of scrapes he would never have had the nerve for on his own.
Norman's mother Sadie also misses Jax. Not just for his friendship and what it meant to Norman but for his noisy and lively presence in their home and his never-ending schemes. A single mother, Sadie lost her father, a not very successful comedian, the year before Norman was born while she was away at University. Her grief and anger at his death lead her to a short period of drinking and one-night stands so she was never sure who Norman's father could be. With her family of two and her boring job with an obnoxious boss, she's not sure that she's a good mother to Norman but knows she has to do something to help him overcome his deep misery. When she spills all her woes to Leonard, an elderly pensioner who works part time with her, he comes up with a plan to help Norman and so the three of them set off on a road trip from their home in Penzance to Edinburgh.
This is a wonderful book. A sweet and tender tale of friendship, love, family and learning to live for the moment. The characters are delightful and beautifully written. Norman is fragile but resilient and Sadie is a better mother than she thinks she is. Leonard is a surprisingly tech savvy octogenarian who is a pure delight with his use of computer graphics and google maps. Their road trip is full of pot holes and diversions, as they stay in some woeful accommodation, experience a local talent quest that erupts in violence, and befriend an unusual mix of characters along the way, and that's all before they even get to Edinburgh. A terrific debut novel - highly recommended!
With many thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for a copy to read
Norman Foreman is grief-stricken when his best friend Jax dies suddenly. There is a huge Jax shaped hole in his life that no one else can fill. Always outgoing, outspoken and never still, Jax not only made quieter, shyer Norman funny and popular, he made him brave and got him into all sorts of scrapes he would never have had the nerve for on his own.
Norman's mother Sadie also misses Jax. Not just for his friendship and what it meant to Norman but for his noisy and lively presence in their home and his never-ending schemes. A single mother, Sadie lost her father, a not very successful comedian, the year before Norman was born while she was away at University. Her grief and anger at his death lead her to a short period of drinking and one-night stands so she was never sure who Norman's father could be. With her family of two and her boring job with an obnoxious boss, she's not sure that she's a good mother to Norman but knows she has to do something to help him overcome his deep misery. When she spills all her woes to Leonard, an elderly pensioner who works part time with her, he comes up with a plan to help Norman and so the three of them set off on a road trip from their home in Penzance to Edinburgh.
This is a wonderful book. A sweet and tender tale of friendship, love, family and learning to live for the moment. The characters are delightful and beautifully written. Norman is fragile but resilient and Sadie is a better mother than she thinks she is. Leonard is a surprisingly tech savvy octogenarian who is a pure delight with his use of computer graphics and google maps. Their road trip is full of pot holes and diversions, as they stay in some woeful accommodation, experience a local talent quest that erupts in violence, and befriend an unusual mix of characters along the way, and that's all before they even get to Edinburgh. A terrific debut novel - highly recommended!
With many thanks to Random House UK and Netgalley for a copy to read
June 29, 2021
3★
“There’s a good chance Norman’s father is one of four people. Now I know how that makes me sound, but it’s a fairly reasonable alternative to the other scenario, which is that he would quite possibly have been one of several more if circumstances had allowed.”
Sadie is the single mother of twelve-year-old Norman Foreman. They live in Cornwall, where Norman was a pretty lonely kid until he and wild child Jax became inseparable best mates when they were six. They loved comedy shows and jokes. They had a Five-Year Plan, much of it devised by Jax, to develop a comedy duo and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe when they are fifteen.
Past tense. The book opens pretty much at Jax’s funeral. He didn’t make it to twelve, not because he was wild, but because he had asthma. Norman, on the other hand, has the most miserable case of persistent psoriasis, which underlies much of the story.
Sadie always put up with very naughty Jax because he had a certain lightness about him and laughed a lot and made Norman laugh. The two boys were never bored. Now though?
“Because who the hell am I, if not Norman’s entire family?”
And why the name Norman with a surname like Foreman, if you didn’t know you were naming half a prospective comedy duo?
“I named my son Norman because there was nobody to tell me not to. And because I liked it. That could have been my first mistake and, who knows, maybe I would have listened if someone had told me that Charlie or Harry or Freddie might be a lighter load for a kid to swing on to his back and carry around for an entire lifetime.”
Now without Jax, Norman is beginning to wonder about who his father might be. Sadie’s never given it a lot of thought, because she was something of a wild child herself at uni. How would she ever remember names, let alone track anyone down?
Enter Leonard, the elderly janitor at the car yard where Sadie works. They share a quiet smile every day when Leonard secretly, silently, gives the finger to the bullying boss who takes such pleasure in insulting Leonard every morning. Only Sadie can see the gesture.
Chatting one day about her predicament, Leonard offers to help. It turns out he may be old (eightyish?), but he’s no newbie.
“Iris and I were selling the first Tandy TRS-80s out of our shop before most people in Penzance even knew what a personal computer was.”
The hunt is on! It's a road trip with Leonard's spreadsheet of names, an itinerary, and his complete command of Google maps. I liked the premise of the story and the characters. A lot was improbable, but that didn’t bother me. Some of the people they meet along the way are a bit over the top, too, but they added a little colour.
I was really expecting to enjoy this one, and I’m sorry to say I ended up skimming just to see where their trip went, how far they got, and who they found.
The author had a lot of fun with phrases she may have collected over the years.
Sadie:
“When I saw him walk into the café, 2007 picked me up and slammed me right back against the wall without even shaking my hand.”
She was watching Norman pack something carefully.
“He caught me looking and straight away he arranged his face into a smile for my benefit. It didn’t quite make it to his eyes, though, turning off down a side street at his cheekbones and slipping off into the neck of his crumpled T-shirt to have a quiet drink alone in a bar.”
While it’s an interesting description, the bar reference seemed a little out of place when talking about a twelve-year-old.
Many, many readers love this book, so don’t let me put you off. I just get cranky when I think stories are dragging or writing is getting too clever and “writerly” (as I think of it). Norman is a lovely kid, Sadie is a loving mum, and Leonard is a good new friend. You might get a kick out of the road trip. I can't give it more stars because I actually considered abandoning it a couple of times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the preview copy from which I've quoted.
“There’s a good chance Norman’s father is one of four people. Now I know how that makes me sound, but it’s a fairly reasonable alternative to the other scenario, which is that he would quite possibly have been one of several more if circumstances had allowed.”
Sadie is the single mother of twelve-year-old Norman Foreman. They live in Cornwall, where Norman was a pretty lonely kid until he and wild child Jax became inseparable best mates when they were six. They loved comedy shows and jokes. They had a Five-Year Plan, much of it devised by Jax, to develop a comedy duo and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe when they are fifteen.
Past tense. The book opens pretty much at Jax’s funeral. He didn’t make it to twelve, not because he was wild, but because he had asthma. Norman, on the other hand, has the most miserable case of persistent psoriasis, which underlies much of the story.
Sadie always put up with very naughty Jax because he had a certain lightness about him and laughed a lot and made Norman laugh. The two boys were never bored. Now though?
“Because who the hell am I, if not Norman’s entire family?”
And why the name Norman with a surname like Foreman, if you didn’t know you were naming half a prospective comedy duo?
“I named my son Norman because there was nobody to tell me not to. And because I liked it. That could have been my first mistake and, who knows, maybe I would have listened if someone had told me that Charlie or Harry or Freddie might be a lighter load for a kid to swing on to his back and carry around for an entire lifetime.”
Now without Jax, Norman is beginning to wonder about who his father might be. Sadie’s never given it a lot of thought, because she was something of a wild child herself at uni. How would she ever remember names, let alone track anyone down?
Enter Leonard, the elderly janitor at the car yard where Sadie works. They share a quiet smile every day when Leonard secretly, silently, gives the finger to the bullying boss who takes such pleasure in insulting Leonard every morning. Only Sadie can see the gesture.
Chatting one day about her predicament, Leonard offers to help. It turns out he may be old (eightyish?), but he’s no newbie.
“Iris and I were selling the first Tandy TRS-80s out of our shop before most people in Penzance even knew what a personal computer was.”
The hunt is on! It's a road trip with Leonard's spreadsheet of names, an itinerary, and his complete command of Google maps. I liked the premise of the story and the characters. A lot was improbable, but that didn’t bother me. Some of the people they meet along the way are a bit over the top, too, but they added a little colour.
I was really expecting to enjoy this one, and I’m sorry to say I ended up skimming just to see where their trip went, how far they got, and who they found.
The author had a lot of fun with phrases she may have collected over the years.
Sadie:
“When I saw him walk into the café, 2007 picked me up and slammed me right back against the wall without even shaking my hand.”
She was watching Norman pack something carefully.
“He caught me looking and straight away he arranged his face into a smile for my benefit. It didn’t quite make it to his eyes, though, turning off down a side street at his cheekbones and slipping off into the neck of his crumpled T-shirt to have a quiet drink alone in a bar.”
While it’s an interesting description, the bar reference seemed a little out of place when talking about a twelve-year-old.
Many, many readers love this book, so don’t let me put you off. I just get cranky when I think stories are dragging or writing is getting too clever and “writerly” (as I think of it). Norman is a lovely kid, Sadie is a loving mum, and Leonard is a good new friend. You might get a kick out of the road trip. I can't give it more stars because I actually considered abandoning it a couple of times.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the preview copy from which I've quoted.
April 23, 2021
Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman had never had any friends – until bad boy Jax came along. Then they were so close that in Norman’s eyes, the best thing about having a best friend was Jax. Norman and Jax were a comedy duo in preparation for the big time. Their plan was for their appearance in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in five years’ time and they worked toward it every day. In between going to school and having the best fun.
But when Jax suddenly died, Norman was bereft. He was desolate and his mum Sadie did all she could to help Norman, although she was grieving herself. When she saw Norman staring at the five year plan the two boys had laid out (slightly altered after Jax died), she found herself promising Norman, she would get him to the Festival, as well as try to find his father for him. And with the help of the elderly Leonard, cleaner at the place Sadie worked, they proceeded to do just that.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is a delightful debut novel by Aussie author Julietta Henderson which was lots of fun; filled with laughter and tears, hope and gravitas, Norman and his psoriasis would find the way. Along with Norman, Sadie and Leonard were beautifully crafted characters. I feel Ms Henderson will be an author to watch. Recommended. (and thanks to GR friend Carolyn for her recommendation)
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But when Jax suddenly died, Norman was bereft. He was desolate and his mum Sadie did all she could to help Norman, although she was grieving herself. When she saw Norman staring at the five year plan the two boys had laid out (slightly altered after Jax died), she found herself promising Norman, she would get him to the Festival, as well as try to find his father for him. And with the help of the elderly Leonard, cleaner at the place Sadie worked, they proceeded to do just that.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is a delightful debut novel by Aussie author Julietta Henderson which was lots of fun; filled with laughter and tears, hope and gravitas, Norman and his psoriasis would find the way. Along with Norman, Sadie and Leonard were beautifully crafted characters. I feel Ms Henderson will be an author to watch. Recommended. (and thanks to GR friend Carolyn for her recommendation)
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2020
Hands up if you loved and still remember Auggie from R.J. Palacio's novel Wonder. Well you are not alone. Wonder has over 700K reviews and an average GR rating of 4.44 so it is clearly a much loved book. So now while you still have your hands up I'd encourage you to do yourself a favour, reach out and grab a copy of Julietta Henderson's debut novel The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman . Norman often brought Auggie to mind. The stories are entirely different but the feelings they generated were similar. This one's not due for publication until 18th Feb 2021 but I'm expecting big things for Julietta and Norman. I will not be at all surprised if their stat's rival Auggies.
From the very first pages I was in. Hook. Line. Sinker. The whole way through I relished the writing and the tone which was light, funny and touching. This might seem quite incredible given our first encounter with twelve year old Norman is at his best friend Jax's funeral. Jax, the "Rolls-bloody-Royce" of best friends. Jax, the cheeky, loveable, sometimes naughty but always kind boy. Jax who at eleven years, 297 days (and about 12 or 16 hours) left a gaping, boy shaped hole in the lives of Norman and his mum Sadie's lives.
It's a toss up as to who I loved more, Norman or Sadie. Norman, the boy "...who’s spent the better part of his life covered in a solid scale of psoriasis that hurts like hell, looks like shit and who still keeps smiling?" Or Sadie with her self deprecating tone and a love for Norman which was beyond compare and exquisitely portrayed. I particularly liked her sardonic inner dialogue which sounded quite realistic. You know, the way we often think one thing but say something entirely different, not nastily, but things that are simply better left unsaid out loud.
Memories of Jax were pivotal to the story but the action was centred around Norman's quest to fulfill a dream he and his buddy had shared since they were ten. The boys had planned to perform as a comedy duo at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Norman was the straight man to the showy and comedic Jax, a-lá Abbott and Costello. Now Norman is determined to go solo even though he's terrified (and he knows he's not that funny), but the memory of Jax's words give him the courage he needs. The message being that when you’re scared to do something you should just think about the worst thing that could possibly happen and then get in there and have a go anyhow. Norman figures the worst thing has already happened so what does he have to lose.
The other part of the quest was to find Norman's Dad. Sadie herself doesn't know who Norman's dad is, and might I add has no desire to know, but in the spirit of trying to bring her grief filled boy back to some semblence of happy she's willing to agree to anything. Helping them on their mission is octogenarian Leonard, a gorgeous old fellow whose logistical prowess brings it all together.
Throughout it all the grief is palpable and it's relateable but it's not overwhelming because it's offset with generous helpings of love, humour, a bit of sillines and plenty of hope. It's a story with a really lovely message and I thoroughly recommend this book.
Thanks and congratulations to Juliette Henderson on her great debut. Thanks too to Bantam Press an imprint of Transworld Publishers, and of course NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
From the very first pages I was in. Hook. Line. Sinker. The whole way through I relished the writing and the tone which was light, funny and touching. This might seem quite incredible given our first encounter with twelve year old Norman is at his best friend Jax's funeral. Jax, the "Rolls-bloody-Royce" of best friends. Jax, the cheeky, loveable, sometimes naughty but always kind boy. Jax who at eleven years, 297 days (and about 12 or 16 hours) left a gaping, boy shaped hole in the lives of Norman and his mum Sadie's lives.
It's a toss up as to who I loved more, Norman or Sadie. Norman, the boy "...who’s spent the better part of his life covered in a solid scale of psoriasis that hurts like hell, looks like shit and who still keeps smiling?" Or Sadie with her self deprecating tone and a love for Norman which was beyond compare and exquisitely portrayed. I particularly liked her sardonic inner dialogue which sounded quite realistic. You know, the way we often think one thing but say something entirely different, not nastily, but things that are simply better left unsaid out loud.
Memories of Jax were pivotal to the story but the action was centred around Norman's quest to fulfill a dream he and his buddy had shared since they were ten. The boys had planned to perform as a comedy duo at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Norman was the straight man to the showy and comedic Jax, a-lá Abbott and Costello. Now Norman is determined to go solo even though he's terrified (and he knows he's not that funny), but the memory of Jax's words give him the courage he needs. The message being that when you’re scared to do something you should just think about the worst thing that could possibly happen and then get in there and have a go anyhow. Norman figures the worst thing has already happened so what does he have to lose.
The other part of the quest was to find Norman's Dad. Sadie herself doesn't know who Norman's dad is, and might I add has no desire to know, but in the spirit of trying to bring her grief filled boy back to some semblence of happy she's willing to agree to anything. Helping them on their mission is octogenarian Leonard, a gorgeous old fellow whose logistical prowess brings it all together.
Throughout it all the grief is palpable and it's relateable but it's not overwhelming because it's offset with generous helpings of love, humour, a bit of sillines and plenty of hope. It's a story with a really lovely message and I thoroughly recommend this book.
Thanks and congratulations to Juliette Henderson on her great debut. Thanks too to Bantam Press an imprint of Transworld Publishers, and of course NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review which it was my pleasure to provide.
May 10, 2021
Norman and Ajax have a plan. A five year plan to perform their comedy act at the Edinburgh Fringe. But as we all know plans have a way of going haywire. Certainly that is the case when Jax dies at not even twelve years old. How will Norman cope without his best friend and comedy partner? As if Norman doesn’t already have enough to deal with, with the psoriasis that plagues his body that makes life extremely hard. Sadie has no idea how to help her precious son. That is until she sees that the plan has changed. Now it says , ‘ Look after Mum, Find Dad’ and ‘Get to the Edinburgh Fringe.’ Sadie, is determined to do her best to make the last two of those three things happen. With the help of elderly Leonard and his blue vintage Austin they set off on their quest. Will Norman be able to hold it together without Jax? Will Sadie find which of several candidates could be Norman’s father? Life is not without a few more surprises for Norman, Sadie and Leonard,
Let me say at the outset as a reader you will definitely need to suspend disbelief, more so the further on the book gets as some of it is over the top. But by then you’ll be happy to because these quirky characters will have worked their way into your heart and you will be cheering for them to achieve their goals. Filled with wisdom, gentle humour, and some laugh aloud moments, this definitely takes the reader on a fun filled and yet poignant journey.
One aspect of the ending was glossed over and rushed which I felt was a shame, but still this is a rollicking, feel good book that I certainly recommend. Sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. I will be very interested to see what this author writes next.
Let me say at the outset as a reader you will definitely need to suspend disbelief, more so the further on the book gets as some of it is over the top. But by then you’ll be happy to because these quirky characters will have worked their way into your heart and you will be cheering for them to achieve their goals. Filled with wisdom, gentle humour, and some laugh aloud moments, this definitely takes the reader on a fun filled and yet poignant journey.
One aspect of the ending was glossed over and rushed which I felt was a shame, but still this is a rollicking, feel good book that I certainly recommend. Sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. I will be very interested to see what this author writes next.
November 28, 2020
This was a sweet novel about Norman Foreman, twelve years old, who dreams of performing at one the biggest festivals, The Edinburgh Fringe. Unfortunately, his best friend and partner in comedy, died unexpectedly.
Norman is brought up by his mother and never met his father. Sadie herself is unsure of who the sperm donor might be.
With the help of a very switched on octogenarian named Leonard, the three of them get in Leonard's vintage car and make their way to Edinburgh, with some stop-overs along the way, where Norman can perform his comedy numbers.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman was a tender, occasionally funny tale of resilience, and about following your dreams.
Many thanks to Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Norman is brought up by his mother and never met his father. Sadie herself is unsure of who the sperm donor might be.
With the help of a very switched on octogenarian named Leonard, the three of them get in Leonard's vintage car and make their way to Edinburgh, with some stop-overs along the way, where Norman can perform his comedy numbers.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman was a tender, occasionally funny tale of resilience, and about following your dreams.
Many thanks to Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
July 18, 2021
This book was lovably adorable, love the mother/son dynamic so much! This book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions I wasn’t quite ready for. As a mother of sons I felt that extra lump in the throat and I could completely relate to the deep love Sadie had for Norman and wanting so badly to ease his grief and pain in doing whatever was necessary to assist Norman in following his dreams. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a bittersweet and heartwarming story that was surprising with a little unexpected adventure thrown in!
November 7, 2020
“I felt the world slow down, shudder and grind to a halt as I looked into my son’s eyes and all of a sudden realized with absolute clarity what I’d been way too blinded by my own sadness to notice since Jax had died. Norman was so much braver than I would ever be.”
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is the first novel by Australian author, Julietta Henderson. When they were ten, Norman Foreman and Jax Fenton made a Five Year Plan.
JAX AND NORMAN’S FIVE YEAR PLAN. Edinburgh Fringe 2023: For One Night Only –Norman and Jax –Teenage Comedy Geniuses!!! Steps:
1. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe, baby!
2. Get famous
3. Get rich
Norman, fatherless and plagued by psoriasis, had no real friend until Jax turned up at Alverton Community Primary from East London, four years earlier. Jax had a bad boy reputation, but they were soon inseparable; Norman infected Jax with the love of comedy he inherited from his granddad; the one thing their plan hadn’t allowed for, the vital flaw, was Jax dying of an asthma attack just a few months before his twelfth birthday.
While no longer a pariah at school (“how weird is it that your best friend has to die before some people decide to be nice to you”), Norman’s grief is profound: “I thought about trying to do a deal with God. Just in case. Because I thought maybe he’d consider swapping one of my eyes, or a couple of arms, or a leg or two for bringing Jax back. Or both eyes and an ear even. I got the deal right down to me being a blind, deaf, no talking torso sitting on the beach and I still decided that would be OK if only I could have Jaxy back sitting next to me”
His mum, Sadie is naturally worried for her son, shrinking before her eyes, and misses the larger-than-life Jax too: “I still couldn’t think about Norman standing up on a stage in my father’s moth-eaten jacket without seeing the emptiness around him. All that space that Jax used to fill with his laughter, his noise, his badness, his goodness and his funniness.”
Then she notes a change in the Five-Year-Plan on the wall:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival –Norman Foreman, For One Night Only Sausages and Gravitas, the Jax Fenton Tribute Show Steps:
1. Look after Mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
The first point squeezes her heart; the second is a surprise (even to Norman, it seems); and the third? She’s determined to make it all happen, even if there’s less than a month until the Festival starts.
When Sadie shares the problem with Leonard Cobcroft, the OAP employed as a cleaner by her racist, sexist, misogynistic bully of a boss, under the Age UK employment scheme, she expects commiseration, not action. But she underestimates Len: he’s ex-Army, IT savvy, supremely organised and talented in many fields, thanks to adult education courses.
Before long, they’ve departed Penzance, heading north in Len’s (rusty) teal 1971 Austin Maxi, armed with spreadsheets, a laminated agenda, a shoebox of jokes on Post-its, and Google maps: via Barnstaple, Swansea and Bournemouth, checking out father candidates and entering talent contests and open mic opportunities, hopeful of a Performance Slot in Edinburgh. If they can just keep the demon psoriasis at bay, and help Norman develop a sense of timing….. Norman has the gravitas; Jax was the funny one.
The closer they get, the more Sadie worries about her fragile boy in front of a critical audience, but Norman reassures her: “The worst thing already happened. Everything already went to hell in a hand basket, so it’s all got to be OK from now on, because nothing else could ever, ever be that bad. You don’t have to worry about me, Mum, honest.”
What a wonderful tale!! Except for Sadie’s obnoxious boss, Henderson gives the readers a cast of characters to love, to laugh with, to ache for, to cheer on. It’s surely impossible not to fall in love with a boy like this: “I think maybe all the parts of me that were good were actually made of Jax. And I think about that a lot because I’m pretty sure it’s true.”
With a plot that includes dodgy accommodation, dubious venues, and a fanciful Facebook profile, then builds to a hilarious climax involving a bizarre laundry rescue, a daring break-and-enter, chef’s whites and escape on a speeding moped, Henderson’s debut novel is funny, moving, heart-warming and uplifting, and more of this talented author will definitely be welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK Transworld.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is the first novel by Australian author, Julietta Henderson. When they were ten, Norman Foreman and Jax Fenton made a Five Year Plan.
JAX AND NORMAN’S FIVE YEAR PLAN. Edinburgh Fringe 2023: For One Night Only –Norman and Jax –Teenage Comedy Geniuses!!! Steps:
1. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe, baby!
2. Get famous
3. Get rich
Norman, fatherless and plagued by psoriasis, had no real friend until Jax turned up at Alverton Community Primary from East London, four years earlier. Jax had a bad boy reputation, but they were soon inseparable; Norman infected Jax with the love of comedy he inherited from his granddad; the one thing their plan hadn’t allowed for, the vital flaw, was Jax dying of an asthma attack just a few months before his twelfth birthday.
While no longer a pariah at school (“how weird is it that your best friend has to die before some people decide to be nice to you”), Norman’s grief is profound: “I thought about trying to do a deal with God. Just in case. Because I thought maybe he’d consider swapping one of my eyes, or a couple of arms, or a leg or two for bringing Jax back. Or both eyes and an ear even. I got the deal right down to me being a blind, deaf, no talking torso sitting on the beach and I still decided that would be OK if only I could have Jaxy back sitting next to me”
His mum, Sadie is naturally worried for her son, shrinking before her eyes, and misses the larger-than-life Jax too: “I still couldn’t think about Norman standing up on a stage in my father’s moth-eaten jacket without seeing the emptiness around him. All that space that Jax used to fill with his laughter, his noise, his badness, his goodness and his funniness.”
Then she notes a change in the Five-Year-Plan on the wall:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival –Norman Foreman, For One Night Only Sausages and Gravitas, the Jax Fenton Tribute Show Steps:
1. Look after Mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
The first point squeezes her heart; the second is a surprise (even to Norman, it seems); and the third? She’s determined to make it all happen, even if there’s less than a month until the Festival starts.
When Sadie shares the problem with Leonard Cobcroft, the OAP employed as a cleaner by her racist, sexist, misogynistic bully of a boss, under the Age UK employment scheme, she expects commiseration, not action. But she underestimates Len: he’s ex-Army, IT savvy, supremely organised and talented in many fields, thanks to adult education courses.
Before long, they’ve departed Penzance, heading north in Len’s (rusty) teal 1971 Austin Maxi, armed with spreadsheets, a laminated agenda, a shoebox of jokes on Post-its, and Google maps: via Barnstaple, Swansea and Bournemouth, checking out father candidates and entering talent contests and open mic opportunities, hopeful of a Performance Slot in Edinburgh. If they can just keep the demon psoriasis at bay, and help Norman develop a sense of timing….. Norman has the gravitas; Jax was the funny one.
The closer they get, the more Sadie worries about her fragile boy in front of a critical audience, but Norman reassures her: “The worst thing already happened. Everything already went to hell in a hand basket, so it’s all got to be OK from now on, because nothing else could ever, ever be that bad. You don’t have to worry about me, Mum, honest.”
What a wonderful tale!! Except for Sadie’s obnoxious boss, Henderson gives the readers a cast of characters to love, to laugh with, to ache for, to cheer on. It’s surely impossible not to fall in love with a boy like this: “I think maybe all the parts of me that were good were actually made of Jax. And I think about that a lot because I’m pretty sure it’s true.”
With a plot that includes dodgy accommodation, dubious venues, and a fanciful Facebook profile, then builds to a hilarious climax involving a bizarre laundry rescue, a daring break-and-enter, chef’s whites and escape on a speeding moped, Henderson’s debut novel is funny, moving, heart-warming and uplifting, and more of this talented author will definitely be welcome. Recommended!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Random House UK Transworld.
April 16, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Norman Foreman had never had a friend until Jax Fenton came into his life. The two were inseparable, more like brothers than best friends. They wanted to be comedians, a double act and as such they wrote a five-year plan at ten years old which included performing at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they were fifteen.
Sadly at just twelve years old, Jax died. Struggling with his grief having lost his one and only friend and the person he thought he would have by his side forever, Norman comes up with a new plan, which includes finding the dad he has never met and performing solo at the Edinburgh Fringe, this year, as a tribute to Jax.
With help from his mum’s work colleague Leonard, the trio set out on the road heading north to Edinburgh, stopping along the way at the places where the possible men who could be Norman’s dad are located.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman is a beautiful, heartfelt and quite often amusing story told from the viewpoints of Norman and his mum Sadie. The author has handled the death of a child with sensitivity and whilst you might be thinking I can’t read a book about a child dying, the way that it has been written never once had me reaching for the tissues, it was more the light that Jax brought into Norman’s life and Norman handles his death incredibly well. Missing his friend but also wanting to do something for him.
Sadie is a lovely woman who has brought Norman up alone and doubts her mothering skills constantly. She feels that she has failed at being his mother and yet she is actually quite the woman who would and has done anything for her son.
Norman is a wise lad, he is articulate, always tries to look for the good in a situation, and is so brave. How many twelve-year-olds do you know who would have the confidence to want to stand in front of a huge crowd and perform a comedy tribute? He is so loving and caring and tries to protect his mum from how he is really feeling about Jax.
Pensioner Leonard is a military veteran and a whizz at planning. He worked as the cleaner at the company where Sadie works and the two became firm friends. He has a wicked sense of humour and is not afraid to show his boss the ‘birdie’ when he is being ageist.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman is a truly incredible book. It made me smile and affirmed my feelings that you need to live in the now, not hang onto the past. This is a story of the power of friendship, love, and family. It takes you on a journey and has you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I read it in just a couple of sittings as I couldn’t put it down.
Norman Foreman had never had a friend until Jax Fenton came into his life. The two were inseparable, more like brothers than best friends. They wanted to be comedians, a double act and as such they wrote a five-year plan at ten years old which included performing at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they were fifteen.
Sadly at just twelve years old, Jax died. Struggling with his grief having lost his one and only friend and the person he thought he would have by his side forever, Norman comes up with a new plan, which includes finding the dad he has never met and performing solo at the Edinburgh Fringe, this year, as a tribute to Jax.
With help from his mum’s work colleague Leonard, the trio set out on the road heading north to Edinburgh, stopping along the way at the places where the possible men who could be Norman’s dad are located.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman is a beautiful, heartfelt and quite often amusing story told from the viewpoints of Norman and his mum Sadie. The author has handled the death of a child with sensitivity and whilst you might be thinking I can’t read a book about a child dying, the way that it has been written never once had me reaching for the tissues, it was more the light that Jax brought into Norman’s life and Norman handles his death incredibly well. Missing his friend but also wanting to do something for him.
Sadie is a lovely woman who has brought Norman up alone and doubts her mothering skills constantly. She feels that she has failed at being his mother and yet she is actually quite the woman who would and has done anything for her son.
Norman is a wise lad, he is articulate, always tries to look for the good in a situation, and is so brave. How many twelve-year-olds do you know who would have the confidence to want to stand in front of a huge crowd and perform a comedy tribute? He is so loving and caring and tries to protect his mum from how he is really feeling about Jax.
Pensioner Leonard is a military veteran and a whizz at planning. He worked as the cleaner at the company where Sadie works and the two became firm friends. He has a wicked sense of humour and is not afraid to show his boss the ‘birdie’ when he is being ageist.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman is a truly incredible book. It made me smile and affirmed my feelings that you need to live in the now, not hang onto the past. This is a story of the power of friendship, love, and family. It takes you on a journey and has you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. I read it in just a couple of sittings as I couldn’t put it down.
August 8, 2021
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson
Synopsis /
Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his best friend, Jax, are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a plan to take their act all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. But when Jax dies, Norman decides the only fitting tribute is to perform at the festival himself. The problem is, Norman’s not the funny one. Jax was.
There’s also another, far more colossal objective on Norman’s new plan that his single mom, Sadie, wasn’t ready for: he wants to find the father he’s never known. Determined to put a smile back on her boy’s face, Sadie resolves to face up to her own messy past, get Norman to the Fringe and help track down a man whose identity is a mystery, even to her.
My Thoughts /
Australian Author, Julietta Henderson’s debut novel, The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is set in a small seaside village in Britain and is told from the perspectives of 12-year-old Norman and his loving (single) mum, Sadie.
I knew. I knew. I just knew, right from the very first page, that this was gonna be one of those books for me. Cowabunga and Holy Smoke, Norman - you are one AWESOME little big man!
Norman Foreman isn’t your average 12 year old, he’s never ever had a friend, until the day Jax Fenton came into his life. The two swiftly became inseparable and were more like brothers than best friends. Norman loved classic British comedy and Jax, well, Jax loved everything Norman loved. And so it transpired that, at ten years old, Norman and Jax wrote a five-year plan…..to perform a stand-up comedy gig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by the time they were 15. But, when Jax dies suddenly from an asthma attack in the middle of the night, Norman’s world falls apart. Struggling with his insurmountable grief Norman comes up with a new revised plan. This new plan includes finding the dad he has never met and performing solo at the Edinburgh Fringe, next month!!, in tribute to Jax.
Norman’s mum, Sadie is caught off-guard by Norman’s ‘new plan’ announcement, but, seeing him now getting so excited about something, literally anything, makes it impossible for her to refuse. So with the help from her 80(something) work colleague, Leonard, the trio set out on a road trip heading north to Edinburgh, stopping along the way at the places where the possible men who could be Norman’s dad are located. Leonard is nursing a profound lingering loss of his own (his beloved wife). But despite his own grief, Leonard throws himself wholeheartedly into Norman’s ‘new plan’:- drawing up an itinerary, creating a Facebook page for Norman, the so-called Little Big Man of Comedy, and generally seeing to all the admin stuff that a grand quest entails.
Things I learned from reading this book:-
Norman – whose left eyebrow is hairier than his right; whose ears move up and down far more than other people’s when he chews; whose skin is plagued by psoriasis……is a small boy with a very BIG HEART.
Jax – is the rambunctious, cheeky, extrovert to Norman’s ‘straight man’ persona, and is Norman’s bestest ever friend in the whole wide world. As Jax always said, one really and truly best friend is a hundred times better than having a whole bunch that aren’t quite sure.
Sadie – Norman’s Mum. My mum reckons that just because she sets a bad example doesn’t mean I’m going to follow it, because I’m way smarter than her. And by the way, that’s her words again, not mine.
Leonard – Retired military veteran and a whizz at planning. He is the cleaner at the company where Sadie works and the two have become firm friends, united in their distaste of the boss. Leonard has a wicked sense of humour and is not afraid to give his boss the ‘finger’ when he’s being ageist – which is ALL the time.
Death – There’s a lot of things you have to think about when you don’t have a best friend any more. Like where you’re going to sit for lunch and who you’re going to talk to about last night’s ‘Live at the Apollo’, and what you’re going to say when people ask you if you’re OK. And how you’re going to finish your ‘pairs’ biology project when the other half of your pair is gone.
One Never Knows - Anyhow, ‘one never knows’ means, that no matter how much you ‘think’ you know, even if you go to university and get honours in astrophysics and make a moped that can get you to Venus, which by the way one of Jax’s actual ideas - minus the honours degree, the one thing you’ll never be able to know is the future. Not even what’s going to happen in the very next second. No matter how many guesses or phone-a-friends you had.
And I’ve saved the best learned thing for last:-- It’s nice to be nice, among other things.
This debut book gives us so much – a wonderful cast of characters, laughs, tears, more laughs, a terrific plot; a very touching story; did I say laughs?; the power of friendship, love and family; and what can happen if you dare to follow your heart and dreams.
Synopsis /
Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his best friend, Jax, are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a plan to take their act all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. But when Jax dies, Norman decides the only fitting tribute is to perform at the festival himself. The problem is, Norman’s not the funny one. Jax was.
There’s also another, far more colossal objective on Norman’s new plan that his single mom, Sadie, wasn’t ready for: he wants to find the father he’s never known. Determined to put a smile back on her boy’s face, Sadie resolves to face up to her own messy past, get Norman to the Fringe and help track down a man whose identity is a mystery, even to her.
My Thoughts /
Australian Author, Julietta Henderson’s debut novel, The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is set in a small seaside village in Britain and is told from the perspectives of 12-year-old Norman and his loving (single) mum, Sadie.
I knew. I knew. I just knew, right from the very first page, that this was gonna be one of those books for me. Cowabunga and Holy Smoke, Norman - you are one AWESOME little big man!
Norman Foreman isn’t your average 12 year old, he’s never ever had a friend, until the day Jax Fenton came into his life. The two swiftly became inseparable and were more like brothers than best friends. Norman loved classic British comedy and Jax, well, Jax loved everything Norman loved. And so it transpired that, at ten years old, Norman and Jax wrote a five-year plan…..to perform a stand-up comedy gig at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by the time they were 15. But, when Jax dies suddenly from an asthma attack in the middle of the night, Norman’s world falls apart. Struggling with his insurmountable grief Norman comes up with a new revised plan. This new plan includes finding the dad he has never met and performing solo at the Edinburgh Fringe, next month!!, in tribute to Jax.
Norman’s mum, Sadie is caught off-guard by Norman’s ‘new plan’ announcement, but, seeing him now getting so excited about something, literally anything, makes it impossible for her to refuse. So with the help from her 80(something) work colleague, Leonard, the trio set out on a road trip heading north to Edinburgh, stopping along the way at the places where the possible men who could be Norman’s dad are located. Leonard is nursing a profound lingering loss of his own (his beloved wife). But despite his own grief, Leonard throws himself wholeheartedly into Norman’s ‘new plan’:- drawing up an itinerary, creating a Facebook page for Norman, the so-called Little Big Man of Comedy, and generally seeing to all the admin stuff that a grand quest entails.
Things I learned from reading this book:-
Norman – whose left eyebrow is hairier than his right; whose ears move up and down far more than other people’s when he chews; whose skin is plagued by psoriasis……is a small boy with a very BIG HEART.
Jax – is the rambunctious, cheeky, extrovert to Norman’s ‘straight man’ persona, and is Norman’s bestest ever friend in the whole wide world. As Jax always said, one really and truly best friend is a hundred times better than having a whole bunch that aren’t quite sure.
Sadie – Norman’s Mum. My mum reckons that just because she sets a bad example doesn’t mean I’m going to follow it, because I’m way smarter than her. And by the way, that’s her words again, not mine.
Leonard – Retired military veteran and a whizz at planning. He is the cleaner at the company where Sadie works and the two have become firm friends, united in their distaste of the boss. Leonard has a wicked sense of humour and is not afraid to give his boss the ‘finger’ when he’s being ageist – which is ALL the time.
Death – There’s a lot of things you have to think about when you don’t have a best friend any more. Like where you’re going to sit for lunch and who you’re going to talk to about last night’s ‘Live at the Apollo’, and what you’re going to say when people ask you if you’re OK. And how you’re going to finish your ‘pairs’ biology project when the other half of your pair is gone.
One Never Knows - Anyhow, ‘one never knows’ means, that no matter how much you ‘think’ you know, even if you go to university and get honours in astrophysics and make a moped that can get you to Venus, which by the way one of Jax’s actual ideas - minus the honours degree, the one thing you’ll never be able to know is the future. Not even what’s going to happen in the very next second. No matter how many guesses or phone-a-friends you had.
And I’ve saved the best learned thing for last:-- It’s nice to be nice, among other things.
This debut book gives us so much – a wonderful cast of characters, laughs, tears, more laughs, a terrific plot; a very touching story; did I say laughs?; the power of friendship, love and family; and what can happen if you dare to follow your heart and dreams.
January 11, 2022
I failed to find anything funny about Norman Foreman. I didn't enjoy the lack of dialogue and the way certain characters were shamed because of their appearances. Overall, the book was too slow and depressing for my taste.
July 16, 2021
For a little book, this one checked a bunch of boxes for me! It pulled in as a coming-of-age book and that included 12-year-old Norman Foreman as well as Sadie, Norman's mom. Because you see, when Norman loses his best friend who was actually his only friend ever, well he is just so sad. Sadie is driven to try to bring cheer back into his life so puts in motion the adventure of a lifetime.
When Jax Fenton was alive, he and Norman were tight, they did everything together and mostly that was comedy. They were little old men in little boy bodies with dreams and goals already in place. They dreamed of being a comedy team and going to the Edinburgh Fringe, but something interrupted that plan. Jax died.
Sadie and the help of her co-worker, elderly Leonard set off on an Open Mike run to get Norman to the Fringe, prepared and three years early because I think that Sadie believes that Norman won't make it if it doesn't happen now. Sadie lacks confidence and a clear vision of herself so really can't see Norman clearly until this trip. OH, and did I mention that they will be looking for Norman's unknown dad? Yup, they have four prospects for that position and life is funny because all of them are close to one of the open mike events.
So, off they set, Sadie, Norman, and Leonard on the road trip of a lifetime. Lucky readers get to go along for free! I loved being with these zany and quirky characters as they rolled along in the Austin going from one adventure to the next. It was heartwarming, fun, and yes, funny. Norman and Sadie both discover inner strengths they never knew they had and both come of age.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
When Jax Fenton was alive, he and Norman were tight, they did everything together and mostly that was comedy. They were little old men in little boy bodies with dreams and goals already in place. They dreamed of being a comedy team and going to the Edinburgh Fringe, but something interrupted that plan. Jax died.
Sadie and the help of her co-worker, elderly Leonard set off on an Open Mike run to get Norman to the Fringe, prepared and three years early because I think that Sadie believes that Norman won't make it if it doesn't happen now. Sadie lacks confidence and a clear vision of herself so really can't see Norman clearly until this trip. OH, and did I mention that they will be looking for Norman's unknown dad? Yup, they have four prospects for that position and life is funny because all of them are close to one of the open mike events.
So, off they set, Sadie, Norman, and Leonard on the road trip of a lifetime. Lucky readers get to go along for free! I loved being with these zany and quirky characters as they rolled along in the Austin going from one adventure to the next. It was heartwarming, fun, and yes, funny. Norman and Sadie both discover inner strengths they never knew they had and both come of age.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
March 5, 2021
It made sense when I read at the back of the book that the author was a writer for tv comedy series Gavin and Stacy. The story used devices that seemed quite suited to the kind of classic British comedy where five friends and their flatulent dog all pile into a mini and rush to the airport. Nothing wrong with that but I was hoping to love this book a bit more than I actually did.
Poor twelve year old Norman, struggling to cope with the death of his best friend and partner in stand-up comedy makes a list of goals that his mother Sadie and her workmate Leonard want to help him accomplish. In their bid to find his father and have Norman perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, chaos and hilarity ensue. There’s underlying sadness for each of the characters that temper the story but overall it’s about facing your fears and moving forward. I think what stopped me from really enjoying this book was the writing style where the hints at what was to come felt too obvious, the antics a little too silly and the characters a tad too caricature.
Poor twelve year old Norman, struggling to cope with the death of his best friend and partner in stand-up comedy makes a list of goals that his mother Sadie and her workmate Leonard want to help him accomplish. In their bid to find his father and have Norman perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, chaos and hilarity ensue. There’s underlying sadness for each of the characters that temper the story but overall it’s about facing your fears and moving forward. I think what stopped me from really enjoying this book was the writing style where the hints at what was to come felt too obvious, the antics a little too silly and the characters a tad too caricature.
July 27, 2021
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman seemed to have the right ingredients - quirky characters, a special mother and son relationship, a heartbreaking drama, a path of healing, and authentic friendships - but it felt like something went wrong in the blending process and the final product was a bit bland.
In this book, readers are introduced to twelve year old Norman and his mother, Sadie. Norman was part of a comedy duo but his best friend, the funnier half of that duo, passed away suddenly. In an effort to help her son cope, Sadie sets out on a journey with Norman to find his father. But Sadie isn’t really sure who he is, as there were a lot of candidates!
I did like the way the author showed how off our own self-perceptions can be. While this certainly can be true for those who think too highly of themselves, in this case, Sadie and Norman didn’t see themselves as special, while they were perceived so much differently by each other. Getting both perspectives was really helpful in that.
I also did enjoy the most touching aspects of the book. There were some thoughtful moments, although they weren’t as emotionally compelling as I’d hoped they would be. There was also some meaningful character growth and I felt this was well-done as the story closed.
But - and I know I’m just being repetitive with this type of complaint - Sadie and Norman sounded exactly the same. I could sort of accept it, as Norman was a product of Sadie’s influence and he was seemingly precocious, but it still bugged me that they felt like the same character.
Additionally, the story dealt with some very serious and traumatizing topics (take that as a trigger warning), but the author attempted to lighten the load with humor. I can appreciate this, as I often use humor to cope with (or deflect from!) the seriousness of an issue. However, what one person perceives as funny may fall flat on another. I know some people think I’m hilarious (and thank you to the two of you, if you’re reading this), while others clearly do not. So, when I say that I found this both flat and distasteful, I realize some readers might appreciate the humor more. There were a few moments when I did laugh, but most of the humor didn’t work for me, and I was especially unimpressed with the word usage and overall characterization of one of the dad candidates. I know it was meant to be funny, but I thought certain descriptions were unnecessary and in poor taste.
My final gripe is simply that the pacing could have been better. Since the story is just shy of 400 pages, I think it could have benefitted from being slimmed down a bit. My interest in Norman’s situation waned as it all dragged on.
For some readers, Norman Foreman will be a delightful read. It simply wasn’t as special for me as I’d anticipated. It did remind me a bit of the writing of Fredrik Backman. If you’re a fan of his books (I am!), you may want to give this one a try. It might work better for you than it did for me!
In this book, readers are introduced to twelve year old Norman and his mother, Sadie. Norman was part of a comedy duo but his best friend, the funnier half of that duo, passed away suddenly. In an effort to help her son cope, Sadie sets out on a journey with Norman to find his father. But Sadie isn’t really sure who he is, as there were a lot of candidates!
I did like the way the author showed how off our own self-perceptions can be. While this certainly can be true for those who think too highly of themselves, in this case, Sadie and Norman didn’t see themselves as special, while they were perceived so much differently by each other. Getting both perspectives was really helpful in that.
I also did enjoy the most touching aspects of the book. There were some thoughtful moments, although they weren’t as emotionally compelling as I’d hoped they would be. There was also some meaningful character growth and I felt this was well-done as the story closed.
But - and I know I’m just being repetitive with this type of complaint - Sadie and Norman sounded exactly the same. I could sort of accept it, as Norman was a product of Sadie’s influence and he was seemingly precocious, but it still bugged me that they felt like the same character.
Additionally, the story dealt with some very serious and traumatizing topics (take that as a trigger warning), but the author attempted to lighten the load with humor. I can appreciate this, as I often use humor to cope with (or deflect from!) the seriousness of an issue. However, what one person perceives as funny may fall flat on another. I know some people think I’m hilarious (and thank you to the two of you, if you’re reading this), while others clearly do not. So, when I say that I found this both flat and distasteful, I realize some readers might appreciate the humor more. There were a few moments when I did laugh, but most of the humor didn’t work for me, and I was especially unimpressed with the word usage and overall characterization of one of the dad candidates. I know it was meant to be funny, but I thought certain descriptions were unnecessary and in poor taste.
My final gripe is simply that the pacing could have been better. Since the story is just shy of 400 pages, I think it could have benefitted from being slimmed down a bit. My interest in Norman’s situation waned as it all dragged on.
For some readers, Norman Foreman will be a delightful read. It simply wasn’t as special for me as I’d anticipated. It did remind me a bit of the writing of Fredrik Backman. If you’re a fan of his books (I am!), you may want to give this one a try. It might work better for you than it did for me!
November 5, 2022
“I felt the world slow down, shudder and grind to a halt as I looked into my son’s eyes and all of a sudden realized with absolute clarity what I’d been way too blinded by my own sadness to notice since Jax had died. Norman was so much braver than I would ever be.”
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is the first novel by Australian author, Julietta Henderson. The audio version is narrated by Katherine Parkinson. When they were ten, Norman Foreman and Jax Fenton made a Five Year Plan.
JAX AND NORMAN’S FIVE YEAR PLAN. Edinburgh Fringe 2023: For One Night Only –Norman and Jax –Teenage Comedy Geniuses!!! Steps:
1. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe, baby!
2. Get famous
3. Get rich
Norman, fatherless and plagued by psoriasis, had no real friend until Jax turned up at Alverton Community Primary from East London, four years earlier. Jax had a bad boy reputation, but they were soon inseparable; Norman infected Jax with the love of comedy he inherited from his granddad; the one thing their plan hadn’t allowed for, the vital flaw, was Jax dying of an asthma attack just a few months before his twelfth birthday.
While no longer a pariah at school (“how weird is it that your best friend has to die before some people decide to be nice to you”), Norman’s grief is profound: “I thought about trying to do a deal with God. Just in case. Because I thought maybe he’d consider swapping one of my eyes, or a couple of arms, or a leg or two for bringing Jax back. Or both eyes and an ear even. I got the deal right down to me being a blind, deaf, no talking torso sitting on the beach and I still decided that would be OK if only I could have Jaxy back sitting next to me”
His mum, Sadie is naturally worried for her son, shrinking before her eyes, and misses the larger-than-life Jax too: “I still couldn’t think about Norman standing up on a stage in my father’s moth-eaten jacket without seeing the emptiness around him. All that space that Jax used to fill with his laughter, his noise, his badness, his goodness and his funniness.”
Then she notes a change in the Five-Year-Plan on the wall:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival –Norman Foreman, For One Night Only Sausages and Gravitas, the Jax Fenton Tribute Show Steps:
1. Look after Mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
The first point squeezes her heart; the second is a surprise (even to Norman, it seems); and the third? She’s determined to make it all happen, even if there’s less than a month until the Festival starts.
When Sadie shares the problem with Leonard Cobcroft, the OAP employed as a cleaner by her racist, sexist, misogynistic bully of a boss, under the Age UK employment scheme, she expects commiseration, not action. But she underestimates Len: he’s ex-Army, IT savvy, supremely organised and talented in many fields, thanks to adult education courses.
Before long, they’ve departed Penzance, heading north in Len’s (rusty) teal 1971 Austin Maxi, armed with spreadsheets, a laminated agenda, a shoebox of jokes on Post-its, and Google maps: via Barnstaple, Swansea and Bournemouth, checking out father candidates and entering talent contests and open mic opportunities, hopeful of a Performance Slot in Edinburgh. If they can just keep the demon psoriasis at bay, and help Norman develop a sense of timing….. Norman has the gravitas; Jax was the funny one.
The closer they get, the more Sadie worries about her fragile boy in front of a critical audience, but Norman reassures her: “The worst thing already happened. Everything already went to hell in a hand basket, so it’s all got to be OK from now on, because nothing else could ever, ever be that bad. You don’t have to worry about me, Mum, honest.”
What a wonderful tale!! Except for Sadie’s obnoxious boss, Henderson gives the readers a cast of characters to love, to laugh with, to ache for, to cheer on. It’s surely impossible not to fall in love with a boy like this: “I think maybe all the parts of me that were good were actually made of Jax. And I think about that a lot because I’m pretty sure it’s true.”
With a plot that includes dodgy accommodation, dubious venues, and a fanciful Facebook profile, then builds to a hilarious climax involving a bizarre laundry rescue, a daring break-and-enter, chef’s whites and escape on a speeding moped, Henderson’s debut novel is funny, moving, heart-warming and uplifting, and more of this talented author will definitely be welcome. Recommended!
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is the first novel by Australian author, Julietta Henderson. The audio version is narrated by Katherine Parkinson. When they were ten, Norman Foreman and Jax Fenton made a Five Year Plan.
JAX AND NORMAN’S FIVE YEAR PLAN. Edinburgh Fringe 2023: For One Night Only –Norman and Jax –Teenage Comedy Geniuses!!! Steps:
1. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe, baby!
2. Get famous
3. Get rich
Norman, fatherless and plagued by psoriasis, had no real friend until Jax turned up at Alverton Community Primary from East London, four years earlier. Jax had a bad boy reputation, but they were soon inseparable; Norman infected Jax with the love of comedy he inherited from his granddad; the one thing their plan hadn’t allowed for, the vital flaw, was Jax dying of an asthma attack just a few months before his twelfth birthday.
While no longer a pariah at school (“how weird is it that your best friend has to die before some people decide to be nice to you”), Norman’s grief is profound: “I thought about trying to do a deal with God. Just in case. Because I thought maybe he’d consider swapping one of my eyes, or a couple of arms, or a leg or two for bringing Jax back. Or both eyes and an ear even. I got the deal right down to me being a blind, deaf, no talking torso sitting on the beach and I still decided that would be OK if only I could have Jaxy back sitting next to me”
His mum, Sadie is naturally worried for her son, shrinking before her eyes, and misses the larger-than-life Jax too: “I still couldn’t think about Norman standing up on a stage in my father’s moth-eaten jacket without seeing the emptiness around him. All that space that Jax used to fill with his laughter, his noise, his badness, his goodness and his funniness.”
Then she notes a change in the Five-Year-Plan on the wall:
Edinburgh Fringe Festival –Norman Foreman, For One Night Only Sausages and Gravitas, the Jax Fenton Tribute Show Steps:
1. Look after Mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
The first point squeezes her heart; the second is a surprise (even to Norman, it seems); and the third? She’s determined to make it all happen, even if there’s less than a month until the Festival starts.
When Sadie shares the problem with Leonard Cobcroft, the OAP employed as a cleaner by her racist, sexist, misogynistic bully of a boss, under the Age UK employment scheme, she expects commiseration, not action. But she underestimates Len: he’s ex-Army, IT savvy, supremely organised and talented in many fields, thanks to adult education courses.
Before long, they’ve departed Penzance, heading north in Len’s (rusty) teal 1971 Austin Maxi, armed with spreadsheets, a laminated agenda, a shoebox of jokes on Post-its, and Google maps: via Barnstaple, Swansea and Bournemouth, checking out father candidates and entering talent contests and open mic opportunities, hopeful of a Performance Slot in Edinburgh. If they can just keep the demon psoriasis at bay, and help Norman develop a sense of timing….. Norman has the gravitas; Jax was the funny one.
The closer they get, the more Sadie worries about her fragile boy in front of a critical audience, but Norman reassures her: “The worst thing already happened. Everything already went to hell in a hand basket, so it’s all got to be OK from now on, because nothing else could ever, ever be that bad. You don’t have to worry about me, Mum, honest.”
What a wonderful tale!! Except for Sadie’s obnoxious boss, Henderson gives the readers a cast of characters to love, to laugh with, to ache for, to cheer on. It’s surely impossible not to fall in love with a boy like this: “I think maybe all the parts of me that were good were actually made of Jax. And I think about that a lot because I’m pretty sure it’s true.”
With a plot that includes dodgy accommodation, dubious venues, and a fanciful Facebook profile, then builds to a hilarious climax involving a bizarre laundry rescue, a daring break-and-enter, chef’s whites and escape on a speeding moped, Henderson’s debut novel is funny, moving, heart-warming and uplifting, and more of this talented author will definitely be welcome. Recommended!
July 11, 2025
Possibly even a 4.5! I was unsure at the start, but by the end of the book I wanted to give Norman, and really all the characters, a big hug. Meaningful, funny, and a bit far-fetched at times — it made for a great summertime read.
April 24, 2021
Thanks to Mira Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman for an honest review.
Things that will make me love a book:
Quirky characters that are better together.
Found Family
The Underdog wins
Elderly main or strong character
Oh my heavens. Julietta Henderson has given us a gift. I feel like I have spent time with close friends that I don't want to part ways. I laughed out loud, I sighed, I cried, I smiled and I hurt.
Henderson has written a strong character driven book that deals with some difficult topics while balancing them with humor and strength.
Sadie is a single mom who is trying to balance life when her son's best friend, the Rolls-bloody-Royce of best friends, dies. Norman and Jax had 5 year plan to perform as a comedy duo at The Fringe. Now without the other half of the duo, the plan has changed but must go on. Enter Leonard, an elderly co-worker of Sadie's who concocts a plan to get Norman to The Fringe. Then they embark on a roadtrip like no other to get Norman to The Fringe to perform.
I cannot recommend this book enough. This book is just what I needed at just the right time. I could read books like this all day every day. I will be watching with great anticipation for more fabulous works from Henderson.
Trigger warnings may include: suicide and sudden death
Things that will make me love a book:
Quirky characters that are better together.
Found Family
The Underdog wins
Elderly main or strong character
Oh my heavens. Julietta Henderson has given us a gift. I feel like I have spent time with close friends that I don't want to part ways. I laughed out loud, I sighed, I cried, I smiled and I hurt.
Henderson has written a strong character driven book that deals with some difficult topics while balancing them with humor and strength.
Sadie is a single mom who is trying to balance life when her son's best friend, the Rolls-bloody-Royce of best friends, dies. Norman and Jax had 5 year plan to perform as a comedy duo at The Fringe. Now without the other half of the duo, the plan has changed but must go on. Enter Leonard, an elderly co-worker of Sadie's who concocts a plan to get Norman to The Fringe. Then they embark on a roadtrip like no other to get Norman to The Fringe to perform.
I cannot recommend this book enough. This book is just what I needed at just the right time. I could read books like this all day every day. I will be watching with great anticipation for more fabulous works from Henderson.
Trigger warnings may include: suicide and sudden death
March 16, 2022
It took me a while to get into this book and to be honest I almost gave up on it. About halfway through the book it clicked with me and then I couldn’t stop reading it. The characters are charming, quirky, and fairly well portrayed. The book is told from two points of view: Sadie, the mom, is dealing with a lot of issues from her past and sometimes she evolves into just a lump of self-pity. Norman a spirited 12-year-old boy who had just lost his best friend in the world tries to make sense of life despite some physical and emotional hardships. He absolutely adores his mom. There’s a third major character in the book Leonard, an elderly man who works at the same place that Sadie does, who encourages Sadie and Norman to go on adventure and fulfill Norman‘s wishes: to do a stand up comedy routine at the Edinburgh Fringe, and find his father. A minor complication is that Sadie isn’t sure who Norman‘s father is. Oops!
By the time you finish this book you absolutely fall in love with Norman Foreman, and most of the other characters.
There are some twists in their adventures, som of which you don’t really expect. But the ending will turn your heart to mush.
A definite recommend.
By the time you finish this book you absolutely fall in love with Norman Foreman, and most of the other characters.
There are some twists in their adventures, som of which you don’t really expect. But the ending will turn your heart to mush.
A definite recommend.
October 26, 2020
I enjoyed The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman. It’s not perfect but it avoids most of the pitfalls which could have spoiled it and I found it readable, amusing and touching.
Let’s face it, it could have been dreadful: a twelve-year-old boy with psoriasis dreams of doing a comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe with his best friend (who is the funny one) but the best friend dies suddenly. His single mum and her very elderly friend decide to help him do a Fringe show anyway, and try to find out who his father is, to boot. It could be sloppy, sentimental, manipulative drivel and I’m not even sure why I tried it, to be honest – but I’m glad I did because it’s nothing of the kind.
Part of what makes it so good is the narrative voices of both Norman and his mum, Sadie. Both are convincing, insightful in their own ways and amusing, too. Norman’s slightly naive but thoughtful and often funny take on things (like the grief of losing your best and only friend) is both powerful and very engaging, as is Sadie’s angst-ridden parental outlook. Julietta Henderson manages to avoid sentimentality to a great extent (I was especially impressed with the way she dealt with the book’s climax of The Show itself) and shows us two people dealing with real difficulties and growing, while avoiding the trite, hammered-home Life Lessons which so often pollute books like this. The search for Norman’s dad is well done, I think, although the ending does get pretty ridiculous and perhaps just spills over into schmaltz a little – but I could forgive that because much of the book is so good.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It’s a very good, enjoyable read with some genuine content and I can recommend it.
(My thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Let’s face it, it could have been dreadful: a twelve-year-old boy with psoriasis dreams of doing a comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe with his best friend (who is the funny one) but the best friend dies suddenly. His single mum and her very elderly friend decide to help him do a Fringe show anyway, and try to find out who his father is, to boot. It could be sloppy, sentimental, manipulative drivel and I’m not even sure why I tried it, to be honest – but I’m glad I did because it’s nothing of the kind.
Part of what makes it so good is the narrative voices of both Norman and his mum, Sadie. Both are convincing, insightful in their own ways and amusing, too. Norman’s slightly naive but thoughtful and often funny take on things (like the grief of losing your best and only friend) is both powerful and very engaging, as is Sadie’s angst-ridden parental outlook. Julietta Henderson manages to avoid sentimentality to a great extent (I was especially impressed with the way she dealt with the book’s climax of The Show itself) and shows us two people dealing with real difficulties and growing, while avoiding the trite, hammered-home Life Lessons which so often pollute books like this. The search for Norman’s dad is well done, I think, although the ending does get pretty ridiculous and perhaps just spills over into schmaltz a little – but I could forgive that because much of the book is so good.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. It’s a very good, enjoyable read with some genuine content and I can recommend it.
(My thanks to Bantam Press for an ARC via NetGalley.)
April 25, 2022
⭐️ 5 ⭐️
Many thanks to Penguin books/Transworld publishers and Julietta Henderson for my ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Norman and Jax are best friends (and aspiring comedians). They have a five year plan - by the time they’re fifteen, they want to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. When Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides paying tribute to his best friend just can’t wait. So, along with his mum, Sadie, they set off on their road trip adventure.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is one of the funniest, most heart-warming, beautifully written books I’ve read in a VERY long time. I really didn’t want it to end.
It was like having the biggest (book) hug - It pulled me in from page one, and kept me enveloped in a tight, warm, comforting embrace, right to the very end.
The story is narrated from the POV of both Norman and Sadie. Their grief is handled with sensitivity, not sentimentality and the heart-rending moments are balanced out with gloriously witty, sprinklings of humour - there are so many laugh out loud moments, it left me grinning from ear to ear.
Norman and his supporting cast are wonderful, well drawn characters. I could visualise each and every one of them perfectly.
A charming, uplifting tale of love, family, friendship and hope.
I honestly can’t speak highly enough or put eloquently into words how much I enjoyed this amazing, feel-good read.
Norman captured my heart.
I LOVED it and would highly, highly recommend.
I hope you do too!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Penguin books/Transworld publishers and Julietta Henderson for my ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Norman and Jax are best friends (and aspiring comedians). They have a five year plan - by the time they’re fifteen, they want to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe. When Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides paying tribute to his best friend just can’t wait. So, along with his mum, Sadie, they set off on their road trip adventure.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is one of the funniest, most heart-warming, beautifully written books I’ve read in a VERY long time. I really didn’t want it to end.
It was like having the biggest (book) hug - It pulled me in from page one, and kept me enveloped in a tight, warm, comforting embrace, right to the very end.
The story is narrated from the POV of both Norman and Sadie. Their grief is handled with sensitivity, not sentimentality and the heart-rending moments are balanced out with gloriously witty, sprinklings of humour - there are so many laugh out loud moments, it left me grinning from ear to ear.
Norman and his supporting cast are wonderful, well drawn characters. I could visualise each and every one of them perfectly.
A charming, uplifting tale of love, family, friendship and hope.
I honestly can’t speak highly enough or put eloquently into words how much I enjoyed this amazing, feel-good read.
Norman captured my heart.
I LOVED it and would highly, highly recommend.
I hope you do too!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 4, 2022
All the ingredients for a funny, heartwarming, moving and quirky story were here....a lovable young main character who has lost someone very precious to him, a loving, but possibly less than perfect Mum, an older man who is much more than he at first seems, clever and resourceful, a bit of a Knight in Shining Armour, but who also has his sadnesses and vulnerabilities.
Plus, a very significant puzzle, a road trip that includes encounters with some interesting people, and comedy....
Twelve year old Norman Foreman has grown up idolising the Grandfather he never met.....a man who was a comedian, a man who left behind the jacket he wore on stage, and who’s given Norman the ambition to follow in his footsteps.
When Norman meets Jax, a boy who shares his love of comedy, and has big plans for their joint futures, his life seem perfect, but tragedy strikes, and so Norman’s Mum comes up with an idea to save her little boy from the awful depression he’s sunk into.
There is humour in this book, it’s certainly moving at times, and there are characters to connect with, but, it didn’t quite work for me.....I really liked
parts of it, but other parts seemed too contrived, downright silly, and rather unlikely.
The friend who told me about it absolutely loved it, for me it was a fairly entertaining three stars.
Plus, a very significant puzzle, a road trip that includes encounters with some interesting people, and comedy....
Twelve year old Norman Foreman has grown up idolising the Grandfather he never met.....a man who was a comedian, a man who left behind the jacket he wore on stage, and who’s given Norman the ambition to follow in his footsteps.
When Norman meets Jax, a boy who shares his love of comedy, and has big plans for their joint futures, his life seem perfect, but tragedy strikes, and so Norman’s Mum comes up with an idea to save her little boy from the awful depression he’s sunk into.
There is humour in this book, it’s certainly moving at times, and there are characters to connect with, but, it didn’t quite work for me.....I really liked
parts of it, but other parts seemed too contrived, downright silly, and rather unlikely.
The friend who told me about it absolutely loved it, for me it was a fairly entertaining three stars.
February 9, 2021
A gorgeous tale of a mother and her son, with a cast of quirky and engaging supporting characters. The last act had me laughing and cheering. A wonderful read.
June 1, 2023
Ok so I don’t usually write a review because I don’t think and question too much. I just read and either enjoy. Or not enjoy. But my friend Sam from bookclub insists that I must write a review and so this is for her. Really just so she will get off my case... except she won’t. Bahahahaha
I ‘read’ this via audiobook and what a perfectly wonderful read it was. I saved it for my drives to and from work, and both couldn’t wait to get back to it, but equally didn’t want it to end. The narrator was excellent. I loved the characters and the storyline. I just really really enjoyed it and found it thoroughly amusing. I would probably actually give it 4 and a 1/2 stars if I could, but only cos there’s been a couple of 5* books over the time I’ve been on goodreads, and although this is very close, I’d put those others just ahead. But for me it is more than 4* and sure beats listening to the waffle on the radio. I loved taking the trip from Penzance to Edinburgh with Norman Foreman, Jax’s first rules of comedy, Sadie, Leonard and all the characters along the way. I will miss them now.
I ‘read’ this via audiobook and what a perfectly wonderful read it was. I saved it for my drives to and from work, and both couldn’t wait to get back to it, but equally didn’t want it to end. The narrator was excellent. I loved the characters and the storyline. I just really really enjoyed it and found it thoroughly amusing. I would probably actually give it 4 and a 1/2 stars if I could, but only cos there’s been a couple of 5* books over the time I’ve been on goodreads, and although this is very close, I’d put those others just ahead. But for me it is more than 4* and sure beats listening to the waffle on the radio. I loved taking the trip from Penzance to Edinburgh with Norman Foreman, Jax’s first rules of comedy, Sadie, Leonard and all the characters along the way. I will miss them now.
April 23, 2025
1000000% loved. AB.
May 8, 2025
Maybe 4.5!
I picked this out of a display as part of my library’s monthly reading challenge; I had never heard of it before. What a delightful find! I took me a bit to become fully invested but once I was I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A little crazy at the end, but a lovely story of healing, friendship and bravery told through the eyes of a mother and her twelve year old son.
I picked this out of a display as part of my library’s monthly reading challenge; I had never heard of it before. What a delightful find! I took me a bit to become fully invested but once I was I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A little crazy at the end, but a lovely story of healing, friendship and bravery told through the eyes of a mother and her twelve year old son.
May 13, 2021
“Atmen ist Leben, Norman“
Traurig, herzergreifend, lustig, chaotisch und an manchen stellen möglicherweise etwas übertrieben, aber definitiv ein Herzensbuch.
Es kommt einer Umarmung gleich, aus der man sich nicht so schnell wieder herausfinden möchte.
Traurig, herzergreifend, lustig, chaotisch und an manchen stellen möglicherweise etwas übertrieben, aber definitiv ein Herzensbuch.
Es kommt einer Umarmung gleich, aus der man sich nicht so schnell wieder herausfinden möchte.
November 14, 2020
Beautiful just beautiful
May 5, 2021
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 I loved this novel, it truly was a heartfelt and feel-good read. What started off as a sad situation, Norman's best friend Jax (the Rolls Royce of best friends) has just passed away and Jax and his mum Sadie are trying to cope with this massive loss. Jax was a huge part of their lives, he had such a presence that I could feel him coming off of the page every time Norman or Sadie spoke about him. Jax and Norman had plans to be a comedy duo at the Edinburgh Festival, but now Norman has had to change his plans to get to the festival himself and do a show for Jax. Sadie promises to get him there, along with another promise, to help him find his dad (she actually has no idea who he is).
Sadie's workmate Leonard, an elderly gentleman, offers to help her with both of these goals, and so starts a wonderful and funny, though at times sad, journey for all three of them to achieve what seems like two unachievable goals.
There were certainly some characters in this story, as well as our three main characters, you have the potential fathers, and the people they meet along the way. My favourite has to have been Big Al, who they meet at their first stop, he was a definite diamond in the rough.
There were so many times I laughed out loud during this novel and so many others where my heart bled for Norman, but I was in the passenger seat on this road trip for the entire journey and when the end came, it was perfect.
Sadie's workmate Leonard, an elderly gentleman, offers to help her with both of these goals, and so starts a wonderful and funny, though at times sad, journey for all three of them to achieve what seems like two unachievable goals.
There were certainly some characters in this story, as well as our three main characters, you have the potential fathers, and the people they meet along the way. My favourite has to have been Big Al, who they meet at their first stop, he was a definite diamond in the rough.
There were so many times I laughed out loud during this novel and so many others where my heart bled for Norman, but I was in the passenger seat on this road trip for the entire journey and when the end came, it was perfect.
January 18, 2022
Ach ja, eine ganz nette Geschichte, die an sich gut geschrieben ist und gut ausgearbeitete Charaktere ihr Eigen nennen kann ... und doch war es nicht wirklich ein Buch für mich, habe ich leider das Gefühl. Ich dachte ja, dass ich am meisten Probleme mit der Perspektive des kleinen Jungen haben werde oder mit der Tatsache, dass wir uns hier auf einem Roadtrip befinden, aber beides war ok für mich. Eher gestört hat mich, dass dieses Buch so gleichförmig ist. Es wird über alle Seiten von dieser gleichen Stimmung der ängstlichen Mutter beherrscht, generell sind alle nur ängstlich in diesem Buch. Sie reisen von Stadt zu Stadt und überall passiert dasselbe: Vater suchen, Auftitt haben. Ich hatte irgendwann das Gefühl, dass sich das Buch in einer Tour selbst wiederholt ... um dann am Ende das eigentliche Ziel der Reise auszulassen. Sehr enttäuschend irgendwie. Ich bin auch einfach nicht warm geworden mit den Figuren. Sadie hat mich mitunter sogar genervt mir ihrem ständigen "mein Junge", "mein Herz bricht" blabla. Man konnte das Buch schnell und problemlos lesen, aber es war für mich ziemlich nichtssagend (nie lustig!) und einfach total eintönig. Es war nicht furchtbar, aber auch nichts, was ich weiterempfehlen würde.
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