It took me a while to get into this but after a short time I realised I was missing the company of Norman et al when I wasn’t reading. Very life-affirming, sweet and poignant and a good chuckle although I did have the odd tear. Madcap tale of going on an odyssey to the Edinburgh fringe and finding a father but discovering what you already have along the way. Delightful.

I was sent a copy of The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson to read and review by NetGalley. This is a truly fabulous, entertaining, amusing and sensitive novel about a young boy wishing to follow in the comedic footsteps of the grandfather he never knew. This journey is made all the more poignant by the untimely death of his best friend who was going to be the funny man of their double act. With a new five year plan without best friend Jax, Norman Foreman and his mum Sadie set off on an adventure from Cornwall to the Edinburgh Fringe. I cannot praise this novel highly enough; it tugs at the heart strings and makes you chuckle, with a slightly outrageous story that is somehow totally believable! Read and enjoy!

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman is about Norman losing his best friend Jax unexpectedly, and so in a bid to reach their plan Sadie, Norman's mum, decides that Norman can reach his goal, to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe, by himself and try to discover who his father is on the way. I really enjoyed some of the characters, Sadie was a bit of annoying at times for being so hopeless but I love Leonard for being so prepared and helpful. Norman is a lovely character, brave and trying to look after his mum. I did see the ending coming but the journey they take you on is funny, warm and heart-rendering at times. I really enjoyed this book and can Norman on more adventures to come.

OMG I totally LOVE Norman Foreman, if you don't want to know any more then just let me say read this book.

If you want to know a bit about it but without giving to much away I'll just say Norman is a kid, he has one friend Jax, he's got psoriasis and his Mum Sadie (who like all good mums thinks she's doing a pretty had job of it) Jax and Norman are would be comedians, Jax is the funny one and Norman is his straight man and they have written a 5 year plan, ending with them performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Norman doesn't need anything else but when Jax suddenly dies, Norman and his Mum are in freefall and not knowing what to do to help Norman, his Mum spots their 5 year plan on the wall but which now has one amendment : find Dad, so she tells Norman that they will go to Edinburgh and maybe find his dad along the way even though Sadie can't or doesn't know who that may be.

Juliette Henderson has created a fabulous book, this book makes your heartache but also makes you laugh, you just want Norman's plan to work and there is not one character I didn't like and as much as I like books I can see this as a indie style film or TV series and with the right casting this will brilliant.

Norman and Jax. Jax and Norman. Best friends and a comedy duo. But when Jax, at aged only 11, suddenly dies, Norman is left alone - not knowing how to exist without his sidekick and struggling to grieve. Sadie, Norman’s young mum without her own support network is struggling to help her suffering son through this - and knows that her funny boy Norman should find his laughter again and also learn more about his dad... whoever he may be. So, together, with Sadie’s octogenarian colleague Leonard, they all embark upon an eventful and unlikely pilgrimage that takes them from the depths of Cornwall to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

I loved this book. I knew from reading the synopsis that this was special but I didn’t quite prepare myself for just how brilliant a read it was going to be. I laughed, I cried and I felt Sadie’s dichotomy and Norman’s pain at every turn of page. I would wager that every reader would fall in love with Little Big Man Norman who is the loveliest, kindest, quirky and somewhat old-for-his-years child you would ever wish to read about. Leonard with his brilliance in project management is also a stunning character - everyone needs a Leonard in their life, especially when things get too much. Sadie - she’s full of imperfections and one of life’s ‘could have been so much more’ but now - as a result of her own experiences, is something of a nobody although to Norman, the centre of her world, she is everything.

Julietta Henderson has this novel absolutely spot on with the plot, the pace and the characters. However, it is Henderson’s written prowess that brings this all together so beautifully. This is such a perfect book to read - it made me cringe when I could sense Sadie squirming and had me completely rooting for Norman at every opportunity. I loved getting to know the protagonists along with the people they met along their travels.

This is a brilliantly written, funny, emotional, laugh out loud, cry even louder, and ultimately a heartwarming story. I would absolutely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Books for this ARC and opportunity to read and review.

I really enjoyed this little gem of a book. I won't repeat the storyline but will tell you that it's a tale that's uplifting, tragic, funny and beautiful. The characters are unique, interesting and well rounded. I raced along totally invested in the search for Norman's Dad and also the journey to the Edinburgh Fringe. A well written novel about having the courage to hold on to and chase your dreams.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this book.

Wow-what a wonderful read!!
I loved every sad but funny minute and had to wipe away a tear or two in the end.
I loved the fact that the style of writing was simple with the focus on the characters. There was no fancy stuff to try and give colour to the 3 main characters and they definitely didn't need any help. They were wonderfully portraited and just ordinary people with ordinary problems; even maybe more than some of us! All the side characters also added some wonderful entertainment and had me in stitches at times!
Even though we never got to meet Jax it felt like I knew him so well! He would have been the friend I also would have loved to have with his "don't give a damn" attitude.
This is the story of Norman and Sadie and also of Leonard who I absolutely adored! A story of love and loss and of coming to terms with the lemons that live handed out. It's about chasing your dreams and making the most of every day even though it might seem too scary at times.
To use a quote from Jeff Buckley in the book:
".....he said a bird sitting in a tree isn't scared of the branch breaking because its trust isn't in the branch, it's in its own wings"
How true is this and something we should all live by!

To end off in Normans words:
"My first last First Rule of Comedy. Never give up."

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld for the privilege to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

A lovely heart warming novel about a single mum Sadie and her son Norman who after the sudden death of his best friend decide to do the thing Norman wants most find his dad and go to the Edinburgh fringe
So with the help of Leonard Sadie ‘s old work colleague he plans a route around the places Sadie slept with possible fathers of Norman and then continue on up to the fringe
Sounds simple but it is turns into a complicated rollercoaster of a trip some of the potential fathers are less than at their best and poor Norman has psoriasis gets so bad in the Premier Inn that Leonard goes to the Chinese herbalist and soaks Norman in tea which messes up the towels but helps his psoriasis immensely
Will they ever get to Edinburgh? Will Norman find his dad?
This book made me weep, laugh and cringe but I loved reading it and would recommend it to all

A great read. After losing his best friend, all Norman wants to do is 1. Look after mum, 2. Find Dad and 3. Get to the Edinburgh Fringe.

With the help of Leonard they set out on an adventure to get at least the last 2 under way, and meet some great characters on their travels.

I liked how it is told from the point of view of Norman and his mum Sadie.

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman, Julietta Henderson

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction ( Adult),

Wow, a book to make you laugh and cry in the same moment, its a real bittersweet read.


I loved it, for a debut book its a real cracker, something that kept me fully engrossed. There was so much detail, and at times it was so emotional that I read it in breaks. Its not a book to race to the end to see what happens, but one of those where you need to savour the journey, to enjoy each moment, each even as they happen.

Jax, poor, poor Jax. The kid everyone but Norman and Sadie see as a problem. The naughty kid, the one who's always in trouble. Sadie tells Norman ( and I'm sure she told Jax too) that he makes it hard for people to like him, and yet when it comes to Norman he's so full of patience, so full of help, ideas, of ways to bolster up Norman.
Lets face it, most kids are cruel and when like Norman you have a very obvious skin condition you can just imagine how hard it is for him. Actually adults can be cruel too, I'm sure Jax deflected as many comments off them too.
Even though Jax dies very early in the book, he's still there, alive in Normans head, giving him confidence, reminding him all the work they've done “ Timing Normie, Timing”.

There's a host of incredible characters here, some turning out to be not what they first seemed, events that could be so wrong but which turn out just right. Sadie thinks she's a bad mum, and I guess when it comes to organisation, housework, the mundane stuff she's not the best, but as a mum she's perfect, just who Norman needs. He never once doubts her love, she's always there for him, never says “ not now, I'm busy hoovering” She'd probably say “hoovering, ah well, that can wait til next month”
She adores Jax too, not just for the support and confidence he gives Norman, but for himself. She sees the boy behind the naughty facade.
When they come up with the trip I was thinking What? Seriously? And yet it works, with the help of the wonderful Leonard and his passion for learning via adult education classes.

Its a fabulous read, fun events and characters mixed with tragedy and sadness, and it felt so real, so vivid and true. Though real life probably wouldn't pack quite so much in one go! The laughter about Norman and his scales dropping off on the hotel bed-sheets ( he's the one laughing half the time), and that decamping at speed after the Chinese medicine stained towels, with the aid of Adam and the mobility scooter kind of sums up the story. Its sad, its funny, its real. The encounter with James was so funny, I could just visualise James and little Norman brazening it out – and it was the perfect set up for Norman and his confidence, to put him on the track of his future. Dave Allen, like Norman I adored his comedy, and slow burn stories was clearly Normans future.

Stars: Five, a fabulous read, full of a perfect sad/sweet/happy mix. I laughed even as I was feeling so sad for poor Norman, and he'd want me to stick with the laughing.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

This is a wonderfully funny, heartwarming story with an eclectic cast of characters that will stay with you long after you finish reading the book. At once heartbreaking and joyous, it is what we all need to cheer us up in these strange times. A fantastic debut!

With this book, Henderson walks a tightrope between joy and grief which is really something to read. I felt like I had a lump in my throat, a physical weight in my chest when I read it, and I wanted to reach through the words to give them all a hug.

Norman is 12, and has a lot of stuff to deal with. He’s never met his dad, his mum Sadie is all the family he has in the world (apart from the stories she tells him about his Grandad, the great comedian) and his best friend, Jax, is dead. He is also interminably awkward, painfully uncool and to top it off, has terrible psoriasis over his whole body - painful and awkward. Plus, he’s called Norman Foreman.

The thing I loved about this book was that it told the story from both Sadie and Norman’s perspectives, which i think is what keeps it out of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” and “Wonder” categories. They love each other so much, and are doing everything they can to make each other happy. He is a good kid, even if Sadie doesn’t feel like she’s being a good Mum. She is a good person and a good Mum, even if she doesn’t always feel like it. Knowing their inner monologues allows us to see both sides and gain insight into each of them, instead of relying on just one narrator.

Norman needs to get to Edinburgh, to perform the comedy he and Jax were working on as part of their five year plan. This is the third book this year that I’ve read about getting to Edinburgh, including <Mark Watson’s - Contact>>. Maybe something in the zeitgeist?

I don’t want to go into too much detail because the journey, as always, has such great twists and turns and I don’t want to spoil any surprises.

I really recommend this to anyone who enjoys a funny, touching and ultimately uplifting story about a boy and his Mum, trying to get to where they need to go.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the DRC!

There's so much to love about this book!

Norman's best friend Jax has died suddenly. Norman is a sensitive boy, who suffers terribly from psoriasis, and the laughter he and Jax shared always got him through. Now, pulling himself through his grief, Norman decides to honour Jax's memory by going ahead with the goals they set each other - to perform a comedy act at the Edinburgh fringe, to look after his mum Sadie, and to find his dad.

Sadie is a young single mum. She had a troubled early life which saw her seeking to lose herself through drink and a series of casual relationships. She loves Norman with a passion and fears she's getting things wrong as a parent. She's devastated that her son now wants to meet his father, not least because she doesn't know who he is. But she determines to help Norman in his quest.

Leonard is Sadie's work colleague. He's an elderly gentleman who is wasted as a cleaner, so he leaps at the chance of helping Sadie and Norman. He drafts spreadsheets, becomes a whizz at the internet and social media, and fires up his vintage motor to drive them up to Scotland, seeking out Sadie's former partners along the way.

I wasn't sure how this plot device was going to work. But it's so beautifully and sensitively handled. Sadie had a difficult time and, arguably, she made some poor decisions but she is devoted to her son and it's hilarious how they confront the various men who have very different lives and experiences to their own.

This is a book full of kindness. It presents the difficulties of being a single parent, the fears of dementia and old age, the trauma of sudden death and grief, the challenges of coping with a skin condition, the arguments against judging by appearances, and second chances, all handled with joy and humour! The characters are tremendous - they leap off the page and the story is packed full of content, action and pace. It's brilliant and I was sorry when it came to an end. Wonderful!

I really enjoyed this, it was just the tonic needed in these gloomy times. The relationship between Norman and his mother was wonderful and I enjoyed meeting all the other characters. All in all a very satisfying read - I can see it making a great film.

This book beautifully melds comedy and tradgey into a story that resonates with readers young or old.
As a lover of comedy and the Ed Fringe I really connected with Norman and found the story a perfect read to share.

What a great character we have in Norman Foreman. I loved this story of a young lad dealing with the grief of losing his best and only friend. His mum has her own issues and these are dealt with as we journey with Norman, his mum and Leonard on a less that straightforward route from Cornwall to Scotland. Lovely set of characters, some very emotional stuff and lots of funny stuff too. It got a bit mad towards th end but that was needed for Norman to realise his true potential . Go Norman!!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review an e_ARC of this delightful book.

Norman Foreman and best friend Jax may only be just shy of twelve years of age but they already have a five year plan. Impressive eh? This cheese loving comedy duo of the future plan to make their debut and name for themselves as the next Morecambe and Wise, the next Abbott and Costello or even the next Reeves and Mortimer at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Norman assumes the role of the straight guy whilst Jax with his extensive knowledge of all things comedic and a natural flair for making people laugh leads you to wonder how they can possibly fail. Except when the unthinkable happens and Jax joins his comedy heroes in the sky that big five year plan is in jeopardy.

Cue the help of mum Sadie and ex work colleague Leonard. With Norman feeling bereft at the loss of his Rolls Royce of a friendship, all his mum Sadie wants to be able to do is put a smile on her beloved son’s face. If that means sticking with a slightly altered five year plan that now encompasses a quest to discover the identity of Norman’s dad en route to Edinburgh then so be it. Norman’s dream of performing at the Fringe WILL be realised. All it’s going to take is her unconditional love, the hair raising driving skills of the multi talented Leonard and a whole heap of faith.

Tighten your seatbelts for one of the funniest, most hopeful, bittersweet and life affirming road trips you’ll (virtually) undertake as this trio traverse the countryside from Penzance to Edinburgh via Swansea and Bournemouth resting up in some dubious accommodations. Of course no road trip would be complete without some hiccoughs, mishaps and wobbles thrown under the wheels of Leonard’s Austin thereby turning this into a truly unforgettable journey. But it’s going to take a lot more than a few obstacles to derail their plans. Of course this novel wouldn’t be as memorable as it is without the addition of some larger than life characters they meet along the highways and byways. From poetry performing Big Al to mobility scooter riding Adam,to the welcoming Tony and Kathy and big hearted James their appearances enhance scene after scene that can only be described as pure comedy gold. Laughter is definitely the best medicine and the author delivers this in spades.

The Edinburgh fringe festival may be this trio’s final destination but the road trip affords both Sadie and Norman time to confront their fears as well as their grief. Fear of not being a good enough mother, fear that Norman is not ready or mentally prepared for the spotlight and grief at the loss of both Jax and Sadie’s father. However thanks to the kindness and comfort of strangers, the actions of potential dads and of course the friendship of the elderly, energetic, if sometimes slightly confused Leonard, the special bond between this mother and son is reaffirmed in the most heartwarming of ways. All their previous doubts and worries can be cast aside in much the same way Norman sheds his skin!

Never has the belief that some souls have the power to reach beyond the grave ever been more relevant than in this storyline. Jax’s positivity, exuberance, cheeky devil may care attitude and comic genius live on as Norman channels his best friend’s spirit to guide him through this road trip, turning their original five year plan into an adventure of a lifetime. Despite his short twelve years on this planet Jax’s impact on the lives of both Norman and Sadie is immense; the very essence of him echoes through every breath Norman takes, every word he utters in an attempt to deliver that elusive perfect one liner. The incredibly brave Norman may as well be six foot in stature since he has the biggest heart possible for such a small boy so that his stage name suits him to a tee. Ever mindful of the endless supply of first rules of comedy, Norman is determined to conquer the stage providing his psoriasis doesn’t entirely engulf him first!! Watch out Edinburgh Dave Allen Mark 2 is coming your way! Thanks to the author’s creative genius Norman is bound to win a standing ovation from every reader who has the pleasure to make his acquaintance and that’s without him even taking to the stage. As you can probably tell I loved every single second of Sadie, Norman, and Leonard’s adventure, their collective wisdom a shining example to us all.

Having already discovered some outstanding debuts of 2021, I’m convinced The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman stands every chance of being THE runaway success of the year although to coin a much loved phrase in this novel “one never knows!” The camaraderie and antics of these characters are guaranteed to seep into your consciousness filling your heart with gladness and restoring your faith in humanity. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

This is a delightful and satisfying read and Norman is a great role model for us all. As he and his Mum Sadie embark on a journey to the Edinburgh fringe they are also taking a journey of discovery to find Norman's father and to help Norman come to terms with the death of his best friend. They have some great adventures along the way and the book is full of delightful and eccentric characters. It is truly heartwarming and you will be rooting for Norman to fulfil his dreams.

A gentle story of teenager Norman and his goals in life.
What a lovely character he is, not your typical teenager, he makes you hold your breath and cross your fingers hoping that things work out well for him.
Interspersed with his mother's backstory and helped by elderly friend Leonard this story engages many emotions and is a welcome distraction on what is going on around us these days.

This was a sweet novel about Norman Foreman, twelve years old, who dreams of performing at one of the biggest festivals, The Edinburgh Fringe. Unfortunately, his best friend and partner in comedy died unexpectedly.
Norman is brought up by his mother and never met his father. Sadie herself is unsure of who the sperm donor might be.
With the help of a very switched on octogenarian named Leonard, the three of them get in Leonard's vintage car and make their way to Edinburgh, with some stop-overs along the way, where Norman can perform his comedy numbers.

The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman was a tender, occasionally funny tale of resilience, and about following your dreams.