The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

De: Julietta Henderson

Narrado por: Katherine Parkinson

"Charming, warm and uplifting...there is so much to love about this book."—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This is How It Always Is

A triumphant and touching debut about the unlikeliest superstar you’ll ever meet.

Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his best friend, Jax, are a legendary comedic duo in waiting, with a plan to take their act all the way to the Edinburgh Fringe. But when Jax dies, Norman decides the only fitting tribute is to perform at the festival himself. The problem is, Norman’s not the funny one. Jax was.

There’s also another, far more colossal objective on Norman’s new plan that his single mom, Sadie, wasn’t ready for: he wants to find the father he’s never known. Determined to put a smile back on her boy’s face, Sadie resolves to face up to her own messy past, get Norman to the Fringe and help track down a man whose identity is a mystery, even to her.

Julietta Henderson’s delightfully funny and tender debut takes us on a road trip with a mother and son who will live in the reader’s heart for a long time to come, and teaches us that—no matter the odds—we must always reach for the stars.

Just wonderful

I laughed and I cried. Laughed out loud, Cried into my swimming goggles - I listen while swimming laps. One of my absolute favourite listens.

I'd go hear Norman in any comedy club

This is the feel-good book of the decade! Norman is a delight, Sadie has the fear of every mother and they're both "adopted" by a delightful elderly man who becomes their fairy-god father. And, Katherine Parkinson is a perfect narrator! Oh, and Jax will really never be gone.

Great Read!

Such a sweet story about learning to be brave💜 I really enjoyed it! Norman is awesome 🤩

100% recommend!

This was a phenomenally told story and listening to it is the only way to enjoy it because without the proper accents I am not sure my own reading would have done it justice. You will laugh, you will cry, and you most definitely will not regret listening to this amazing story. Could not stop listening and have recommended it to everyone I know. Excellent excellent story and superb performance!

A uplifitng parents and child perspective

Amazing story and beautifully told from the perspectives of a mother and son on their journey. It reaffirms, me as a father that I have a tremendous impact on my children’s lives and overall self-worth. Even at my personal lows, I am still their dad, and they look up to me without judgement and prejudice and love me for what I am able to provide. I hope they know how much I love them.

Heartwarming book on grief

The world needs more uplifting books on grief. It’s messy and heartbreaking and grief never goes away. But if you take grief out to lunch, you can find a way to live with it and allow it to help you not hold you back. This story illustrates that.

The mother son bond

This was an extremely charming story that essentially wrap the mother son relationship in a big, convoluted “life gets a little crazy” kind of hug. The story showed the evolving relationship between Sadie and her 12 yr old son Norman as they navigated the biggest journey of their lives. Entering into that journey with no one but each other, they ended it with a larger than life family.
But adding the others to their lives seems to have strengthened their bond. I loved every bit of it. The narrator was a little hard to hear at times and I had to rewind but overall a pleasant voice to listen to.

Great characters and funny story

I really enjoyed this story about an awkward boy who was deeply affected by the death of his best friend. The narrator did a good job with her delivery and timing, but there were times when she spoke too quietly and I couldn't hear what she was saying, like when Norman was muttering to himself. It was very in character, but I couldn't hear and it was a little frustrating.

Loved it !

Really enjoyed this story and it's narration. It's a feel good story without being a cliche. Having the perspective of a teenager in every other chapter was a fairly unique take. Altogether pleasurable, funny and satisfying.

Love, love, love this book!

Love, love, love this book! Every mom/parent should listen to this book. I will be listening to it again