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jkeyes's review
4.0
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Normans coming of age story was fun and heart-warming, if a little protracted at times !!
Normans coming of age story was fun and heart-warming, if a little protracted at times !!
peterthevo's review
2.0
For a book all about comedy, it really isn’t funny. I’m mad I wasted time on this
agirlandabook85's review
4.0
Norman and his best friend Jax know they are the next legendary comedic duo... think Morecambe and Wise only bigger! However, when their five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen is shattered when Jax dies before they turn twelve Norman’s future has to be rewritten:
1. Look after mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
Sadie ashamed of not knowing who her son’s father is knows she won't win any Mother of the Year awards but all she wants is to see her heartbroken son smile again and will do anything to make his new plan a reality.
This book grabbed me by the heart and took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Told from the dual narrative of Norman and Sadie we are taken on a journey not only to Edinburgh but also through grief, family and regret and it had a rich depth of story and character development I was not expecting. There are some really sad parts but also some genuine can’t help but smile parts.
This is a story about a boy who never felt he belonged and a mother who never felt good enough who learnt through laughter to fix their broken hearts. And in doing so may have taught me a few things along the way.
Norman now has a permanent residency within my heart and he reminded me very much of Auggie from Wonder
1. Look after mum
2. Find Dad
3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
Sadie ashamed of not knowing who her son’s father is knows she won't win any Mother of the Year awards but all she wants is to see her heartbroken son smile again and will do anything to make his new plan a reality.
This book grabbed me by the heart and took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. Told from the dual narrative of Norman and Sadie we are taken on a journey not only to Edinburgh but also through grief, family and regret and it had a rich depth of story and character development I was not expecting. There are some really sad parts but also some genuine can’t help but smile parts.
This is a story about a boy who never felt he belonged and a mother who never felt good enough who learnt through laughter to fix their broken hearts. And in doing so may have taught me a few things along the way.
Norman now has a permanent residency within my heart and he reminded me very much of Auggie from Wonder
hookandbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous, uplifting, warm read.
This buddy road trip adventure has it all.
Twelve year old Norman Foreman has just lost his bloody rolls bloody Royce of best friends in the whole wide world, Jax, so there is definitely a lot of raw emotion and sadness in this book. But like all comedians, there is depth and sadness within but a lot of laughs too.
Because funny man Jax and straight man Norman had a five year comedy plan, to perform at the Edinburgh fringe festival, by the age of 15.
Jax dying was not in the plan.
Now Sadie, Norman’s mum, with exactly the expectable dose pf mum guilt, wants to make Norman smile again.
An adventure ensues. From Penzance to Edinburgh, with a vintage car, a shoebox full of jokes and a hunt for a missing father on the way.
I found this such a compelling read and it gave me similar vibes to Dog Days. A really lovely feel-good British read.
If this isn’t made into a film in the next few years, I’d be very surprised. With a whole host of brilliantly written characters, from psoriasis-prone Norman, to kindly old Leonard in the blue Austin that adorns the book’s cover, to the motley crew of Norman’s potential dads, and not forgetting larger than life naughty boy Jax, the book comes to life through the people who make the story. There is a sense of community, found family and togetherness which I absolutely love in books.
I loved it.
portybelle's review against another edition
5.0
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman appealed to me because it’s about a young boy trying to make his dreams come true and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I live in Edinburgh. Edinburgh was a very quiet place last summer without the festivals and the tourists, though it’s looking like there will be a pared back version this year. And if Norman Foreman was appearing, I’d be in that queue to see him!
Norman’s dream to appear at the Festival wasn’t just his dream. He was the straight man in a comedy double act with his friend Jax – ‘the Rolls-Bloody-Royce of best friends’. Tragically Jax died before they turned twelve and Norman and his mother Sadie decide that they will get to the festival anyway to pay tribute to Jax. With the help of Sadie’s work colleague, the aged but resourceful Leonard, they set off on a road trip from Penzance to Edinburgh with the aim of Norman taking part in a few open-mic nights as practice on the way. Oh and the slightly trickier task of tracking down his dad…
I absolutely loved this book and the characters of Sadie and Norman. Even Jax, although he has died by the beginning of the book, is a huge presence throughout and I couldn’t help but have a soft spot for this lovable rogue. The love which Sadie has for her son just shines through even though she is so insecure about her abilities as a mum. To Norman of course, she is simply the best mum in the world. This is a story told with so much heart, warmth and humour that you just can’t help but want Norman to achieve his dream however unlikely that may seem. The characters the trio of Sadie, Norman and Leonard meet on their pilgrimage all added to the story in their own ways and all helped Sadie and Norman in some way.
The author has written about grief and the shock of losing someone suddenly and unexpectedly in a very perceptive way. Although Sadie and Norman are both grieving, their determination to honour Jax’s memory pushed them on to do more than they probably thought they could. Through their sadness, there were chinks of light and the love they had for each other was so touching. This is a wonderfully joyous read about finding courage and friends in unexpected places. I don’t think anyone who reads it could fail to be both moved and uplifted by Norman’s story. He is simply unforgettable.
If this book was a Fringe show, I’d be awarding it five shiny stars. In fact, I’d give it more if I could. I simply adored every page of the book, every mile on the road with Norman, Sadie, Leonard and all their friends. This is definitely on my Top Reads list for this year!
Norman’s dream to appear at the Festival wasn’t just his dream. He was the straight man in a comedy double act with his friend Jax – ‘the Rolls-Bloody-Royce of best friends’. Tragically Jax died before they turned twelve and Norman and his mother Sadie decide that they will get to the festival anyway to pay tribute to Jax. With the help of Sadie’s work colleague, the aged but resourceful Leonard, they set off on a road trip from Penzance to Edinburgh with the aim of Norman taking part in a few open-mic nights as practice on the way. Oh and the slightly trickier task of tracking down his dad…
I absolutely loved this book and the characters of Sadie and Norman. Even Jax, although he has died by the beginning of the book, is a huge presence throughout and I couldn’t help but have a soft spot for this lovable rogue. The love which Sadie has for her son just shines through even though she is so insecure about her abilities as a mum. To Norman of course, she is simply the best mum in the world. This is a story told with so much heart, warmth and humour that you just can’t help but want Norman to achieve his dream however unlikely that may seem. The characters the trio of Sadie, Norman and Leonard meet on their pilgrimage all added to the story in their own ways and all helped Sadie and Norman in some way.
The author has written about grief and the shock of losing someone suddenly and unexpectedly in a very perceptive way. Although Sadie and Norman are both grieving, their determination to honour Jax’s memory pushed them on to do more than they probably thought they could. Through their sadness, there were chinks of light and the love they had for each other was so touching. This is a wonderfully joyous read about finding courage and friends in unexpected places. I don’t think anyone who reads it could fail to be both moved and uplifted by Norman’s story. He is simply unforgettable.
If this book was a Fringe show, I’d be awarding it five shiny stars. In fact, I’d give it more if I could. I simply adored every page of the book, every mile on the road with Norman, Sadie, Leonard and all their friends. This is definitely on my Top Reads list for this year!
cactuswildflower's review against another edition
4.0
Who wouldn’t love a book about an unlikely trio on a road trip? Norman, Sadie & Leonard are three delightful characters on a quest to find Norman’s biological father, and to perform at the Scottish Fringe Festival. Adventure and havoc follows them.
annaavian's review
1.0
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.
cec_loves_to_read_books's review against another edition
5.0
I pretty much devoured the audiobook of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson narrated by Katherine Parkinson and I adored it.
The thing that struck me most about this book is that there is very little hatred in it. It’s essentially about love and finding your people and yourself.
I am beginning to realise that books like The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman are my kind of books. Books where people are at the heart of the story and the author takes you on an usually hilarious and, most often times, simultaneously sad journey right alongside these loveable characters. I’ve been blessed to read a bunch of these books (think anything by Fredrik Backman, Still Life by Sarah Winman, The Rosie series by Graeme Simsion) and they are just the thing for lockdowns and uncertain times.
Sadie, Norman and Leonard (and Jax of course) were just so wonderfully drawn (as were all the minor characters) and all were beautifully gentle and complex.
Believe all the hype about this one. It’s fantastic. Bravo @juliettahendersonauthor
The thing that struck me most about this book is that there is very little hatred in it. It’s essentially about love and finding your people and yourself.
I am beginning to realise that books like The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman are my kind of books. Books where people are at the heart of the story and the author takes you on an usually hilarious and, most often times, simultaneously sad journey right alongside these loveable characters. I’ve been blessed to read a bunch of these books (think anything by Fredrik Backman, Still Life by Sarah Winman, The Rosie series by Graeme Simsion) and they are just the thing for lockdowns and uncertain times.
Sadie, Norman and Leonard (and Jax of course) were just so wonderfully drawn (as were all the minor characters) and all were beautifully gentle and complex.
Believe all the hype about this one. It’s fantastic. Bravo @juliettahendersonauthor
thelibraryofimagination's review against another edition
5.0
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.
jocewaddell's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.25