The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman: The most uplifting Richard & Judy book club pick of 2022

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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. 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.” 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 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 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

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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 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 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 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 StarsHumor: If you’re looking for a humorous read with generous sides of grief and adventure, you might appreciate this heartfelt story! If 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. 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 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

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman: The most uplifting

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 …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! 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 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. What do you get when you cross a painfully awkward son, lofty comedic ambition and a dead best friend? Norman." 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

Book review: The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta

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 Stars Sensational debut by Australian writer Julietta Henderson... This is one novel that meaningfully earns the description of "feel-good".' Apple Books Review Content Consideration: death of a child (of natural causes), suicide (childhood memory), grief, a painful and chronic health condition (psoriasis) 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.”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 Stars 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