What readers think of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman, plus links to write your own review.

Comedy and grief are perhaps surprising dual themes in a novel, but Julietta Henderson uses the two to weave a riotously delightful read in her debut novel, The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman. Twelve year old Norman and his single-mom, Sadie, are narrators who take the reader along on a car trip through Scotland, with their 80 year old friend, Leonard, a trip that has disaster written all over it from the outset. The twin goals of the trip are to find Norman's biological father, one of four former acquaintances of Sadie, and to allow Norman, an aspiring but not funny comedian, to fulfill his dream of performing his comedy routine at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to honor his recently deceased best friend, Jax, who indeed had real comedic talent. The author's insanely creative imagination (The Caramel Suite at the Soft Fudge Inn?!) and the cast of oddball, sometimes scary but lovable characters the trio meet along the way combine to provide an unforgettable and heartwarming ending. I laughed, I cried and I felt as if I were right there through all the zigs and zags of this amazing adventure. This is an uplifting and optimistic read for the times we are in. Book clubs and everyone else should enjoy it.

I was sorry to come to the end of the journey in THE FUNNY THING ABOUT NORMAN FOREMAN. I felt like I lost a friend, it was so engaging and fun. This story about a 12-year-old boy, his mother, his friend Jax and their driver, is a pleasure to read and will be long remembered. Every sentence has something to treasure – so well did the author craft every move and idea. Great for readers of any age older than Norman, this book will take up a warm spot in your heart. Like the conversations between Norman and his mother, this book might open up some very interesting exchanges of ideas and dreams. Indeed, there is so much to like about this book!

I loved this book. It has been hard for me to read during COVID times. This book kept my interest, and I cared about all the characters. I love quirky, interesting characters, and the found family concept. I thought about these characters even when I wasn't reading this book. I had the same feelings when I read and loved "The One In A Million Boy" by Monica Wood. It is hard to believe this is Julietta Henderson's first novel. Highly recommend.

This is a fabulous, feel good novel about 12 year old Norman, his mom Sadie, and their 80 year old friend Leonard. Norman’s best friend, Jax, has suddenly died and Norman decides to honor his friend by performing at the Edinburgh Fringe which was their dream. These three quirky characters jump in Leonard’s vintage car and head to Edinburgh. Along the way they have many misadventures that are funny, moving and memorable. This is a thoughtful book about friendship, family, grief, illness, growing up and growing old. There’s so much wisdom, kindness and hope buried in these pages. You’ll laugh and cry and fall in love with Norman just like everyone he encounters. This is a great read, especially during these dark days. I highly recommend it.

This debut novel is a lovely story about what you will do to try and save someone you love and how very difficult it may be to overcome your own fears and losses. Norman is a 12 year old boy being raised by a very insecure single mother. He is bullied because he is small and vulnerable and has a horrible case of psoriasis but his saving grace is Jax - who is his best friend and Norman is sure - the funniest boy in the world. Together they are a team - Norman is the straight man and Jax is the comedian and they are a team with a plan. When they are 15 they are going to perform at the Edinburgh fringe festival. But then Jax dies leaving both Norman and his mother devastated. When Norman decides that he will do the festival alone - even though he isn't the funny one - and along the way, he'll find out who is father is, his mother is faced with trying to help and being unsure of whether helping will just make it worse. This sounds like a sad story and it certainly tugs at heart strings but it is full of wonderful characters who are truly trying to do the right thing. And I promise you'll like the ending.

I thought this book was well-written, a!though somewhat predictable. The cast of quirky supporting characters who come together to help/rescue Norman and Sadie as well as the misadventures along the way are a just bit too much. Overall it was a good, enjoyable story. I would recommend it for someone looking for a feel good, triumph over adversity novel.

Norman Foreman is a 12 year old son of a single mom, who loves stand-up comedy, and has a terrible case of psoriasis. Norman and his best (and only) friend, Jax, make a 5 year plan, which includes taking their stand-up duo to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. When Jax dies suddenly, Norman's plans must change, His path to the festival takes a different route, giving Norman the opportunity to meet many memorable characters along the way. They are rooting for Norman to not only perform stand-up, but to also find his birth father. Both Norman and his mother grow and blossom during this process, and though some of the situations lead to more slapstick outcomes than I would prefer, Norman and his new friends are characters that will not soon be forgotten.

Using humor blended with compassion Julieta Henderson has created three unique characters. A single mother, helped by an elderly man,enables her young son to complete an improbable journey. Although the death of Jax, the boy's best friend, is a pivotal event in the novel a light optimistic tone pervades. When obstacles seem to overwhelm the plans made a phase "One just never knows" appears often.