Reviews

36 year old single Mum Sadie sets herself a ‘Mission Impossible’ after her 12 year old son Norman’s best and only friend dies: she guarantees Norman a spot on at the world’s biggest comedy festival and the delivery of a long lost father, to boot.

Given that the festival is the Edinburgh Fringe (they live in Penzance), and the long lost Dad is one of 4 potential candidates, with the help of octogenarian Leonard, planner par excellence, what could possibly go wrong?

I absolutely adored this novel, and it’s the second Julietta Henderson story I’ve read, having enjoyed Sincerely, Me earlier this year.

Her talent for characterisation is massive – you take them all to your heart and love them absolutely.The story is told from the perspective of Norman and his Mum Sadie, and whilst the plot hinges around the death of a child, the author does not put a foot wrong, striking the perfect balance of tone. There are tears and there is laughter, it is both poignant and funny, but it is never insensitive, mawkish or clumsy.

As these lovely characters make their journey to Edinburgh, they are also making a journey through grief – Norman for Jax, Sadie for her Dad and Leonard for Iris – coming to terms with the blows life has dealt them and the untimely losses they have sustained. They also make a host of new friends en route and this once very small and isolated family unit expands exponentially, showing that families can be found as well as born into.

It is a story about love and loss, dreams and ambitions, and about discovering aspects of yourself you never knew you had – or had forgotten all about.

You emerge at the end of this novel feeling uplifted, happy and inspired. It is a real pick-me up feel good novel, and I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to take a journey with Norman, Sadie and Leonard – it is one you’ll never forget!

jenmat1197's review

Go to review page

4.0

This is the story of Norman. A 12 year old boy who just lost his best friend, Jax. The two had planned on becoming a comedy duo at the Edinburg Fringe when they are older. When Jax dies, Norman decides he needs to do this festival himself as a tribute to his friend. What he realizes as he starts his journey that Jax was the funny one of the group.

When Norman approaches his mom, Sadie, about his idea of doing the Edinburg Fringe, she wants to do what she can to help him. Norman is lost without his best friend, so she tells Norman that she will help him. Norman has another request - he wants to find his father. Sadie enlist the help of her friend and co-worker - an 80+ year old man named Leonard - to help them. The three set off on a wild adventure to meet the men that could possibly be Norman's father and help him fulfill his dream of stand up comedy.

This book is so sweet and heartwarming, you will want to read it all at once. Sweet Norman, who just lost his best friend, pulls at your heartstrings as you easily imagine what it would be like for one of your own children. Sadie - a mom who loves Norman more than anything else in the world, but who cannot fathom how she is going to pull this off without watching Norman get his heart broken. And Leonard - a sweet old man who is savvy with the internet drives them wherever they want to go and is Norman's biggest cheerleader. The story has one great turn after another where you are rooting for Norman to be successful in his quest and regain some happiness after his tragic loss.

Definitely read this one. You won't be disappointed.

keely_fuller's review

Go to review page

dnf at 102 pages. read like a junie b jones book and just wasn’t into it

mpr2000's review

Go to review page

4.0

This is a sweet and relatable story, perfect to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Because Norman Foreman is not the typical teenager, he has a goal for when he reaches 15:
– Look after Mum
– Find Dad
– Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
Before, he had a plan with his best friend Jax, but he has died. Now, Norman is more determined than ever to fulfill his 5 year plan, of course he will have the help of her special mum Sadie.
This story starts with sadness, Jax has just lost his best friend and doesn’t know how to cope with grieve; it’s never easy to loose someone, it doesn’t matter the age, the pain is suffocating either way. But maybe as an adult we have some other things to focus our feelings instead of a teenage boy that has lost his best friend and all the future together.
But this is not only a book of grieve, this is a book of life and happiness too; the way Norman will focus his energy and pain is to continue the dream him and Jax had together, with some little changes that will make him to accept the pain and never forget Jax.
This is a slow paced story, to read in one sit and never stop thinking about it, because Norman Foreman will remain a little bit in your heart forever. Ready?