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Read advance reader review of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson

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The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

A Novel

by Julietta Henderson
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus:
  • Readers' Rating:
  • First Published:
  • Apr 13, 2021, 416 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Mar 2022, 416 pages
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About This Book

Reviews


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There are currently 23 member reviews
for The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
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  • Julie B. (La Crescenta, CA)
    One never knows
    I knew. Somewhere on the very first page, that this was gonna be one of those books for me. I was not wrong!

    Oh, Normie! I love you and all of the wonderful characters radiating from these pages. And a genuinely painted mom, who loves her son.

    I cried. Sweet mom tears.

    This is a beautiful, wonderfully drawn book, the kind I know from page one.

    Thanks, BookBrowse folk, for an ARC to cherish.

    "But then I started to feel really bad because I didn't want that to mean I was forgetting about Jax, so I closed my eyes and thought about being happy and being sad and how sometimes there's a million miles between them and other times there's none at all."
    ? Julietta Henderson, The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
  • Audrey M. (Overland Park, KS)
    The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
    Just what I needed during covid. A book about off beat people having an off beat adventure that ends well.

    Loved all the characters. Would like to meet all of them. they were all pretty strong and caring about each other. In their own skewed way.
  • Hilary D. (Pittsburgh, PA)
    The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
    How can a book simultaneously warm your heart and break your heart at the same time? The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman did just that—and I loved every word. I've never 'met' as charming a protagonist as the title character—you will laugh with him and his mother, Sadie, and cry with them. The writer brings the reader along Norman and his mother Sadie's journey—both of them are grappling with grief, Norman's from the present and Sadie's from the past. Over the course of the book, the two learn that grief need not define their lives; the message is that joy can always be found, even following the depths of sorrow. Part coming of age story, part odyssey, the book will leave you reeling like you've been gut punched, but the journey will have been worth it. There were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments to balance out the melancholy undertones; despite the sad event that occurred in the beginning of the book, the book is ultimately uplifting. This is perhaps one of my favorite books I've read over the past year.
  • Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)
    Love, Love, Love this book
    What I an absolute joy of a book. I've loved every character, with all their flaws and personal pains. Norman is the kid that any parent would love with their whole being, scaly psoriasis and all. Sadie, the insecure mom, but loved her son with her all her might. And Leonard, the surrogate father/grandfather who protected and guided them on their quest. I love this kind of life-lesson journey book where very flawed characters find their way and life and love. Highly recommended!
  • Janelle C. (Luverne, MN)
    Seeing one's self from the mirror.
    This book was absolutely an amazing from the start! I fell in love with Norman, but also Leonard and all that he brought to this novel This book is about a trip to perform at a comedy show, but also a journey through some soul searching. Julietta hooks the reader with this storyline and connects readers to characters that are so relatable. It is through the ups and downs of life that we are able to empathize with the misfortunes of the characters. This is certainly a must read!
  • Miriam B. (Lakewood Ranch, FL)
    The Wonderful Norman Foreman book
    I absolutely loved The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson. The road trip that the unlikely trio of Norman, Sadie, his mum and Leonard (the grandfather everyone would love to have) is the best adventure ever!!! Norman is a wonderful kid and Sadie his mum has a big heart but has made some poor choices in her life due to unresolved grief about her father. Leonard is such a stellar character- he is the quirky grandfather everyone needs. These three characters will stay with me for a long time and I loved the ending. The author has a wonderful sense of humor. I loved everything about this book but I think it needs a better title.
  • Ginny H. (Troutdale, OR)
    The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
    The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman was an amazing book by a debut author. This book about a 12-year-old boy and his single mother was a delight. Although there was pathos and sadness surrounding the loss of Norman's best friend, Jax, and comedy partner, there was love and growth and friendship and stamina and determination. Norman is determined to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe to perform his comedy, even though Jax was the funny one of the duo. He also wants his mother to help him find his father, one of four possibilities. What a wild ride this was and what a pleasure it was to meet the characters along the way. I loved this book!

Beyond the Book:
  The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

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