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

During the pandemic,I have been making a conscious effort to read more positive, upbeat, 'happier-ending' novels, & "The Funny Thing..."hits the spot. Not sugar-coated or too good to be true, but a thoughtful book about family, friendship & loss told with humor, grace & quirkiness, which makes it irresistible in many ways. Norman and his mom—along with a cohort of 'original' supporting characters—go forward through ups & downs, big & small—dealing with the challenges confronting them with optimism and resilience. We root for them & celebrate their success which in many ways reflect the words of Amanda Gorman, (2021 inaugural poet): If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it.

Norman Foreman is the 12 year old son of Sadie. He and his best friend Jax are working on a comedy act to participate in the yearly talent show Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Jax dies and Norman decides to take the act to the Festival on his own.

Sadie doesn't know who is Norman's father. Norman, Sadie and an elderly friend, Leonard, decide to search for his father while traveling to Edinburgh.

They have many adventures and mishaps during the trip. Norman gets a slot in the Festival, Sadie meets several men from her past and Leonard learns to cope with his wife's dementia.

In my opinion, I think young teenagers might enjoy this book more than I did.

This novel began in a promisingly refreshing style, which is easy, breezy, chatty and natural. However, I found that as it progressed, it wore thin. It was written on the same level throughout which grew tiresome. As a result I never found myself empathizing with the main character of the mother. With a book such as this it is necessary to at least feel for the character, flawed as she may be...the way you would in a JoJo Moyes novel. I was hoping for more character development. By the time the book was ending with a long, screwball comedy type scene, I had given up expecting more. You know from the get go that there will be a happy ending, but the way there was disappointing and quite predictable.