The funny thing about Norman Foreman is that he's wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I'll have a Norman shaped hole there forever. Clare Pooley, author of THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT When Norman Foreman, at only 12 years old, loses his best ever friend in the world, he sets out to complete their 5-year plan alone. With some minor tweaks of course – not only will he perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he will also try to find his father along the way. This was without a doubt, the most amazing and uplifting book that I’ve read in a long time. It explores so many aspects of life: growing up, learning to cope with grief, parent-child relationships, and even the fine line between success and failure. However, this book will also remind you that sometimes, friends are found in all the wrong places, sometimes failure is success, and sometimes you need to aim for the stars. I love you Norman and Sadie. – Tamara, VIC, 4 Stars Great read – relatable, funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking and inspiring! I loved the story, and couldn’t put the book down. I dare you not to love Norman and his gang as they follow their journey of discovery for all! – Eliza, QLD, 4 Stars 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 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

Funny Thing About Norman Foreman [Book Review] The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman [Book Review]

Recommended: I enthusiastically recommend The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman for readers who are looking for a humorous and unique (quirky?) story, for those who appreciate stories with thoughtful themes (see above), for those who enjoy supporting debut authors, and for book clubs. Thanks to Joanne at Portobello Book Blog (her review) for the recommendation in our 20 blogger collaboration this summer! The funny thing about Norman Foreman is that he’s wheedled his way into my heart, and I suspect I’ll have a Norman shaped hole there forever.” Clare Pooley, author of The Authenticity Project The funny thing about NORMAN FOREMAN A single mother, Sadie, her twelve-year-old psoriasis cursed boy, Norman and an ex-services octogenarian, Leonard, set off for Edinburgh to fulfil Norman’s plan to perform at the Fringe Festival there. At age ten, young as they were, Norman and his closest friend, Jax, performed as a comedy duo. Their Five Year Plan had been to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But their plans were interrupted when Jax died suddenly. Now, twelve Norman’s plan is to perform at the Festival by himself and find the father he has never known. Sadie only knows his father is one of four men. This is a very moving novel told in the voices of a very lovable boy and his devoted mother. Readers will live the story as they get to know Norman, Sadie and Leonard whose technology skills help to find the men who could possibly be Norman’s father. These four very different characters are so cleverly drawn by author Julietta Henderson. The narrative is briskly paced. The language is beautifully crafted. There are times for laughing, crying, and for wondering as the author perceptively portrays a young boy’s relationship with his world. – Sandra, NSW, 5 Stars A rare delight of a novel. A lighthearted, madcap road trip from Cornwall to Edinburgh for poor little Norman Foreman (a sweet child with terrible timing and even more terrible psoriasis, mourning the untimely death of his best friend and comedy partner) to make his stage debut at the Fringe Festival – and maybe find his father along the way. The pace could have been tightened at points, and there was a little bit of repetitive self-reflection from the main characters which could have been trimmed. There were also a few slightly clumsy moments of slut-shaming and fat-shaming, but I think those were generally redeemed. Overall the novel was a slow-burning, richly developed, and entertaining read culminating in a snappy, hilarious finale. Heart-warming without being cloying, moving without being mushy, a beautifully human book full of beautifully human characters – all in all, a fabulous read. – Sylvia, QLD, 5 Stars The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is a delightful, quirky, poignant book about Sadie, Norman, Jax and Leonard. It’s about comedy, loss, and overcoming challenges. It is a journey, both physical and metaphoric, of acceptance. – Lisa, QLD, 4 StarsOne of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity. An utterly lovely tale. Ruth Jones I do believe this book is worth a try. Perhaps it is out there just waiting to be read by you. Maybe it needs to be read as much as you need to read it. And maybe when you read this book you’ll think, I’ve heard this phrase before. One just never knows. But I do know this, I’m happy I read this book. – Kirralee, SA, 4 Stars 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.”

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman (Hardback) - Waterstones The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman (Hardback) - Waterstones

I loved Norman and his incredible journey to make his dreams a reality. I enjoyed all the people he met along the way and didn’t want the book to end. I think after 2020 everyone needs some refreshing read that helps them to forget the horrors of the world, and thanks to Julietta Henderson, The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman was the book for me. Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia and Better Reads for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC. – Meg, SA, 5 StarsContent Consideration: death of a child (of natural causes), suicide (childhood memory), grief, a painful and chronic health condition (psoriasis)

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman - HarperCollins Publishers The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman - HarperCollins Publishers

This is a must-read. The characters have a wonderful mix of fragility and resilience, which is exposed as they deal with loss and grief, through a rather non-traditional journey of self-discovery. From laugh-out-loud to heart-wrenching moments, this book is difficult to put down. – Alanna, QLD, 5 Stars 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 Danny Mulberry is a man who ‘could do better’. Better at life, better at taking on responsibility and definitely better at being a grown-up. But when a misleading photo of Danny appears in the paper, people around the country start to think this apparently enlightened man could be the one with all the answers. An engaging story that both hurt my heart and warmed it. Loved the characters and their journey and growth. – Claire, SA, 4 Stars 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 ISIf meeting his dad and performing at the Festival are the two things that will help Norman through this devastating time, then Sadie is going to make them happen. A heartwarming story at its core, with Norman and Sadie both being relatable and real characters with all their flaws. I think the topics of grief and Norman’s condition could have been delved into a little deeper. An enjoyable read. – Hanadi, NSW, 3 Stars I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” This was a beautiful book to read. I loved the way the perspectives of mother and son were portrayed so well, mother being so unsure (as we are) of our parenting and son so caring of his mother, even over himself. Two touching characters, with a touch of everybody in each one. – Danielle, SA, 5 Stars This was a funny read with heartwarming characters and plenty of plot twists I didn’t see coming. Norman and his mum Sadie are a great duo and share a lovely bond. The trip across England to Scotland keeps the story moving along at a great pace. I will recommend Norman Foreman to friends. – Julie, NSW, 4 Stars

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman - Goodreads

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 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 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 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 If you're after a heart-warming book filled to the brim with hope and humanity, then Julietta Henderson's charming The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman should be your next read . . . A life-affirming tale. CultureFly

What a delightful read! Hilarious and heartwarming, with one "helluva" brave, wise and lovable hero. Three cheers for Norman Foreman.' Hazel Prior, author of Away with the Penguins The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is an inspiring, feel-good novel about a small boy with a big heart, a woman who would do anything for her son, and a journey that will change their lives ... Little Miss Sunshine meets Wonder meets A Man Called Ove in this stunning debut novel that will touch your heart. The unlikely trio makes new friends, learn more about each other, and Norman's wish to follow in the comedic footsteps of his grandfather flourishes. Amusing, touching, and at times heartbreaking, The Funny Story of Normal Foreman is a journey of self-discovering for a small boy with a big heart - and even bigger dreams.