The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman

by Julietta Henderson

[Quirky Cat]

The Funny Thing About Norma Foreman, written by Julietta Henderson, is a touching, entertaining, and thought-provoking debut novel.

Norman Foreman was only twelve years old when he lost his best friend and comedic buddy. To him, it only made sense that he continued with their plans to perform at the Edinburge Fringe festival. There's just one problem...Jax was the funny one of the pair, not Norman.

But Norman is determined to keep Jax's spirit alive – and achieve another goal in the process. He's hoping to use the festival to find his father – a man he's never known. Thankfully, his mother, while concerned, is willing to help him.

“Timing is everything. First rule of comedy, Jax says.”

The Funny Thing About Norma Foreman is such a sweet and endearing novel; I'm almost having trouble finding the words to express how it made me feel. It's such a unique novel, all while really bringing this young man and his story to life.

This is a novel full of emotional highs and lows. Which makes sense, given that we're talking about a twelve-year-old boy who has been through so much. He's lost his best friend and never knew his father. One of these things he can't change, but not both. His determination to take some semblance of control in his life is something that I feel we can all understand and even appreciate.

Sadie, Norma's mother, is another treasure to come from this novel. She's self-deprecating and sardonic – the blending of these two traits is so beautifully done. It makes her feel so human and real, and I almost feel like I could reach out and give her a phone call.

I really love what Julietta Henderson did here in The Funny Thing About Norma Foreman and cannot wait to see what sort of idea she comes up with for her next novel.

Thanks to MIRA and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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