The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is funny. It is charming, warm, and uplifting as well. There is so much to love about this book.’ Laurie Frankel, author of This is How it Always Is What a great book and fantastic debut novel by Julietta Henderson. The story starts as a young boy and his mother coming to terms with losing his best friend. Norman wants to fulfil their dream and plans together and this is the story of how he does that. Full of funny situations, interesting characters and antidotes ….you will fall in love with Norman and this cast of characters you can’t help but love. The funny thing about Norman Foreman is an excellent read, funny and a book you will remember. Thanks to better reading for the opportunity to preview this book… I’m so glad I got the opportunity. – Sally, NSW, 5 Stars

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman: The most uplifting

Humor: If you’re looking for a humorous read with generous sides of grief and adventure, you might appreciate this heartfelt story!Sensational debut by Australian writer Julietta Henderson... This is one novel that meaningfully earns the description of "feel-good".' Apple Books Review When I started thinking about everyone I know, like Tony and Kathy and their baby that hasn’t shown up yet, and Adam and his rugby career that never got to happen, and Leonard with his wife who doesn’t remember him anymore, and Jax’s mum and stepdad who lost their boy, and Mum who finally told me what really happened to Grandad, I realized they’ve all got one thing in common. Which is that even though bad things happened to them, they all still kept on going.” One of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity. An utterly lovely tale. Ruth Jones Norman is 12 years old when his best friend and comedy partner Jax dies, ending their 'Five-Year Plan' to do a stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're fifteen. Norman decides to pay tribute to Jax by rewriting the plan: take care of his mum, find dad, and go to the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Norman's mum, Sadie, finds his list and promises to get Norman a slot at this year's Fringe.

Norman Foreman - Wob The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman - Wob

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The story follows Norman, a twelve-year-old eczema sufferer; Sadie, a self-doubting mother of Norman and Leonard, an elderly and highly industrial man who met Sadie at work; after the sudden death of Norman’s best friend Jax. The story is compassionate, warm and fun, despite being set around dark circumstances. Their struggles and effort to cope with these circumstances lead them on an adventure of hope and determination. Their goal is to complete Norman and Jax’s five-year plan, in a much shorter time frame and get to the Edinburgh Fringe, whilst also finding Norman’s biological father. Along the way, they meet many quirky and wonderful people and find out a lot about themselves as well. This novel was incredibly well-written and consistently toyed with my emotions, making me both want to laugh and cry at times. I also loved all the characters and found them, their actions, and their overall emotions to be thoroughly convincing and honest. I would definitely recommend this novel to others and I will definitely seek out any novels by this author in the future. Thank you, Better Reading and Penguin, for this review opportunity. – Katherine, VIC, 4 Stars A book full of hope, humour and kindness, with one of the most endearing central characters I’ve met in a long time. An utter delight!’ Sarah Haywood, author of The Cactus What a delightful read! This book is about what's really important: caring for each other and finding ways through the problems life throws at us, no matter how terrible they can be. The story is both hilarious and heart-warming, with one 'helluva' brave, wise, and lovable twelve-year-old hero... Three cheers for Norman Foreman! Hazel Prior, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS Charming, warm, and uplifting... Julietta Henderson's quirky, lovable characters also offer profound meditations on family, friendship, grief, disability, illness, and aging, all told with heart, humor, and wisdom. There is so much to love about this book. Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of THIS IS HOW IT ALWAYS ISNorman Foreman will capture your heart. His story had me in tears, both of laughter and sorrow, as he bravely battles against the odds to achieve his dream. The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is a book full of hope, humour and kindness, with one of the most endearing central characters I've met in a long time. An utter delight! Sarah Haywood, bestselling author of THE CACTUS A pleasantly surprising book for a debut author and one that anyone and everyone can easily read. It is also a story quite a few people could in some way relate to. It had family, death, sadness, fun, life and even happiness. The story of a boy, Norman, the death of a friend, Jax and Norman’s mother, Sadie, who is dealing with her own past. The adventures Norman and his mother Sadie have are led by an elderly friend Leonard who takes them on a journey of discovery, laughter and even grief. Although a bit slow to read it is still a charming, heart-warming story that actually takes you right along on the journey and introduces you to some great characters. I can’t say I loved it but I did enjoy it and found it an easy read, which brings home life and how each of us has our own way of dealing with the things it throws at us. – Donna, TAS, 3 Stars Oh, Norman Foreman how the world needs more of you! Pour yourself a good pot of tea and then strap yourself in for a heartwarming and antic filled adventure as you follow Norman and his mum, Sadie, on a road trip to find Norman’s dad and a place for Norman to perform his stand up comedy routine and honour his best friend after his recent passing. It’s quirky, a bit offbeat and explores loss and grief, relationships, connections and self-discovery. Although I enjoyed it, it did take me a while to get into and I found some of the characters’ self-reflections a bit too repetitive. I think my favourite part of this book were the characters that Norman gathered along the way. They all got under my skin and I found myself cheering them on as they muddled their way through some funny situations. I particularly enjoyed reading Norman’s chapters. Everyone should be more Norman and see the world through his eyes. – Tammy, SA, 3 Stars Norman Foreman and his best friend Jax have a five-year plan. This cheese-loving comedy duo are going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to live out their dreams. Not all goes to plan when Jax dies and Norman decides to change the plan slightly and go to the Fringe with a tribute show for his mate. For a 12-year-old, this is a lot but to add more confusion to his travels, he is looking for his real father – which his mum has narrowed down to one of 4 interesting candidates she had hooked up with all those years ago. In the midst of the sadness of losing a friend, Norman and his mum Sadie and an old gentleman named Leonard, cross the paths of many new faces that form part of Norman’s new family as he makes his way to Edinburgh to give the performance of his life. A heartwarming story of sheer endurance and hope told from the perspectives of mother and son – tells tales of not only their lives but those that intertwine with theirs as they move through the world. – Suzie, WA, 4 Stars