Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dnf at 102 pages. read like a junie b jones book and just wasn’t into it
funny
inspiring
I can't remember for sure if I heard about this book in a FB group. I found a hard copy at a library sale, and saw the good reviews, so I figured I'd give it a go. I really liked this.
My main complaint is about the narration in the audio version - narrated by Katherine Parkinson (Jen, in the TV series IT Crowd, which is a family favorite). She does a good job, BUT, this is 1st person from two different perspectives, a mother and her 12-year old son. Even though the narration switched up the voice slightly, I needed a BOY to narrate the part of the young boy. Not Jen from IT Crowd. I feel like perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I'd read it on my own, just because of that.
The POV was listed at the start of each chapter ... Sadie or Norman. I wish it had also been noted in the Table of Contents (it didn't alternate exactly every other chapter, sometimes we'd get a few Sadie chapters in a row, a few Norman chapters in a row). Of course, the physical copy doesn't even have a TOC at all (par for the course for most physical books these days. A TOC with the POV WOULD be be helpful in my opinion).
Despite my irks with the narration and TOC ... this story touched me. Very easy, conversational tone. From the blurb, it's indicated (and early on in the text, although still a bit obscure at the beginning) that the young boy Norman's best friend Jax died recently. Both mother and son are still struggling with the aftermath. Norman and Jax had planned to perform a comedy show ... can that still happen now, with Norman alone?
That's one part of the storyline. Then, there's a bit of a Mamma Mia premise. Who is Norman's father? It could be one of four different men ...
Then, like some of the books out there like [book:Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting|59836844] or [book:Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers|61827543], we have a character (older in those examples) who ends up making a collection of friends from all walks of life. Here, that circles around Norman and his mom. Quite a few adventures.
I had this in all three formats, but pretty much went with the audio (as I have so much more ear time than eye time). I likely would have made some notes/highlights had I been reading on my own. There would be several items for discussion if this were to be used as a bookclub selection (although no questions were included, I really love when they are).
I really liked the "Notes for Next Year's Fringe" ... an unlabeled epilogue.
This had some proFanity (x12) which might keep me from recommending it to some people, but if that's not an issue, it is one I give a thumbs up - give it a go!
My main complaint is about the narration in the audio version - narrated by Katherine Parkinson (Jen, in the TV series IT Crowd, which is a family favorite). She does a good job, BUT, this is 1st person from two different perspectives, a mother and her 12-year old son. Even though the narration switched up the voice slightly, I needed a BOY to narrate the part of the young boy. Not Jen from IT Crowd. I feel like perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I'd read it on my own, just because of that.
The POV was listed at the start of each chapter ... Sadie or Norman. I wish it had also been noted in the Table of Contents (it didn't alternate exactly every other chapter, sometimes we'd get a few Sadie chapters in a row, a few Norman chapters in a row). Of course, the physical copy doesn't even have a TOC at all (par for the course for most physical books these days. A TOC with the POV WOULD be be helpful in my opinion).
Despite my irks with the narration and TOC ... this story touched me. Very easy, conversational tone. From the blurb, it's indicated (and early on in the text, although still a bit obscure at the beginning) that the young boy Norman's best friend Jax died recently. Both mother and son are still struggling with the aftermath. Norman and Jax had planned to perform a comedy show ... can that still happen now, with Norman alone?
That's one part of the storyline. Then, there's a bit of a Mamma Mia premise. Who is Norman's father? It could be one of four different men ...
Then, like some of the books out there like [book:Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting|59836844] or [book:Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers|61827543], we have a character (older in those examples) who ends up making a collection of friends from all walks of life. Here, that circles around Norman and his mom. Quite a few adventures.
I had this in all three formats, but pretty much went with the audio (as I have so much more ear time than eye time). I likely would have made some notes/highlights had I been reading on my own. There would be several items for discussion if this were to be used as a bookclub selection (although no questions were included, I really love when they are).
I really liked the "Notes for Next Year's Fringe" ... an unlabeled epilogue.
This had some proFanity (x12) which might keep me from recommending it to some people, but if that's not an issue, it is one I give a thumbs up - give it a go!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a charming, uplifting story. Loved it from start to finish
I love Norman Foreman! I want more Norman Foreman stories!
That’s all, that’s my review!
Kidding!
This is one of those books you just want to hug at the end.
I totally loved this story. Norman has a friend Jax. Jax and Norman like comedy and they make a plan. Unfortunately a tragic event thwarts the plan and Norman has to decide what he really wants. His mum, Sadie, is unsure about all this comedy stuff let alone making sure her son fulfills the Five Year Plan. What this story is… a roadtrip of self-discovery and enlightenment.
This is such a feel good story. I wanted to reach in and hug Norman and his mum all the time, really. It’s just endearing.
The events that transpire, the people they meet on their adventurous road trip are just perfect. Norman has a certain quality about him that makes the reader fall in love, you really can’t help it. And he’s funny too!
Although some of the elements in this story relate to death and depression it is quite a lighthearted read. Julietta balanced the humour and the sadness beautifully. I was happy to read this book but I was sad that it ended.
I highly recommend this wonderful lighthearted, thought provoking and enlightening story.
Thanks go to the author and The Pigeonhole for the wonderful experience of reading this book in an online book club. I am super happy to tell you about this wonderful story. As I said, I highly recommend this book.
That’s all, that’s my review!
Kidding!
This is one of those books you just want to hug at the end.
I totally loved this story. Norman has a friend Jax. Jax and Norman like comedy and they make a plan. Unfortunately a tragic event thwarts the plan and Norman has to decide what he really wants. His mum, Sadie, is unsure about all this comedy stuff let alone making sure her son fulfills the Five Year Plan. What this story is… a roadtrip of self-discovery and enlightenment.
This is such a feel good story. I wanted to reach in and hug Norman and his mum all the time, really. It’s just endearing.
The events that transpire, the people they meet on their adventurous road trip are just perfect. Norman has a certain quality about him that makes the reader fall in love, you really can’t help it. And he’s funny too!
Although some of the elements in this story relate to death and depression it is quite a lighthearted read. Julietta balanced the humour and the sadness beautifully. I was happy to read this book but I was sad that it ended.
I highly recommend this wonderful lighthearted, thought provoking and enlightening story.
Thanks go to the author and The Pigeonhole for the wonderful experience of reading this book in an online book club. I am super happy to tell you about this wonderful story. As I said, I highly recommend this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bittersweet and heartwarming, this little British nugget of a book follows Norman (12) and his single mom, Sadie, on his journey to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival after his best friend dies unexpectedly. We've got hijinks, quirky characters, and some self-discovery (though no jokes). Cutesy, and just enough gravitas to keep me going, it probably won't keep me up at night thinking about the nuances of the narrative, but it was a good, low-stakes read.