The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson is a heartwarming novel about a young boy named Norman who is determined to fulfill his and his best friend’s dream of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
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Book Blurb
Norman and Jax are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they’re fifteen. But when Jax dies before they turn twelve, Norman decides a tribute act for his best friend just can’t wait, so he rewrites their plan:
1. Look after Mum | 2. Find Dad | 3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe
Sadie knows she won’t win Mother of the Year and she’s not proud she doesn’t know who her son’s father is. But when she finds Norman’s list, all she wants is to see her son smile again. So, enlisting the help of eccentric friend Leonard – an 84-year-old veteran with superior planning skills and a thirst for adventure! – they set off on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh, making a few stops to find Norman’s dad along the way.
The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman Review
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman completely has my heart. What an utterly gorgeous story. From start to finish, it struck all the right chords for me, and I loved every minute of it.
I absolutely adored Norman. In so many ways, he reminded me of my own gentle and unassuming son. He’s sweet, awkward, and determined, and you just can’t help but root for him. Watching him chase his dream to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe was both heartwarming and inspiring.
His mum, Sadie, was another highlight for me. The all-consuming love she has for Norman felt so relatable, and she was also hilarious in her own way. I loved seeing the story unfold from both of their perspectives, and I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite – they were both equally engaging and full of heart.
The book is incredibly poignant. It’s heartbreaking in places, with themes of grief and loss woven throughout, but it never feels too heavy. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, balanced beautifully with the more emotional ones.
Even though Jax, Norman’s best friend, dies before the story begins, I felt like I knew him, and I completely understood why Norman and Sadie loved him so much.
Their journey to Edinburgh was full of ups and downs, and while the mystery of Norman’s dad was part of the plot, I found myself more invested in seeing Norman and Sadie find happiness.
Julietta Henderson deals with grief in such a masterful way, but the book is still full of hope, humour, and warmth.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is a gorgeous, feel-good read that’s hopeful, humorous, and heartbreaking in equal measures. I can’t recommend it enough!