What a fun book! When I chose it to read, I actually knew nothing about it except that people were talking about it being a good recommendation for someone looking for a book that is funny.

I'm not sure it that funny, but it was a fun book. Norman is the 12 year old lead character whose best friend has recently died. His mom does her best to keep them afloat, and hopes that Norman will eventually be able to laugh again. Along comes Leonard to graciously help them with a plan that will either break Norman or rebuild him.

With a setting in Southwest England, and Scotland, this book has lots to offer.

I really enjoy the author's writing style. I will look for more books written by her. ( )

i loved this. it is pitch perfect. full of grief and love and getting by. of growing up and of being more like the kid or the adult you've wanted to be. it's really really beautiful. but also funny in more places than i expected, once it got started. (i picked it up thinking it would be a middle grade book that would be funny, but immediately it was apparent that this was an adult book that would be touching and hard, but it did still manage to be funny throughout. and so sweet, but not overly so.)

i loved almost everything about this. it got to be just a little bit too much at the end or it would have gotten 5 stars. (it felt like she took it just a little too far on the adventure with james and also that it seemed clear that it was something with iris from the beginning. i actually thought that she'd died, but never once thought leonard could be the one with dementia. these are minor, though, when the book is this outstanding all around. ( )

Grappig boek. ( )

This was a delightfully sweet story full of quirky characters and an entertaining plot with a heartwarming conclusion. Twelve-year-old Norman Foreman and his friend Jax have a five-year-plan to perform as a comedy duo at the Edinburgh Fringe. Tragically, Jax dies and Norman feels compelled to perform at the Fringe this year to honor his BFF, even though Norman is the straight man. Despite his death, Jax is still a significant character as both Norman and his single mom, Sadie, recall so many things Jax said and did.

So the story soon becomes a road trip as Sadie and Norman travel to Edinburgh. Another major character in this uplifting debut novel is endearing octogenarian Leonard Cobcroft, who provides the transport, creates Norman's image and marketing, and shares quite a bit of internet-learned facts.

The chapters alternate points of view between Sadie and Norman, and along the way we meet several new characters as Norman has asked Sadie to try and locate Norman's actual birth father. She comes up with several possibilities and Leonard's spread sheet with names and contact info helps to keep everyone organized. During the trip, Norman continues to hone his comedy routine in a few comedy clubs.

I highly recommend this skillfully written coming-of-age novel that deals with grief and growth, trust and hope, families and friendship. ( )

Sometimes you want to read a book that reaffirms your faith in human kindness; Julietta Henderson's novel The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman is that book.

Told from the alternating perspectives of 12 year-old Norman and his exhausted single mom Sadie, we meet them in their home in the small town of Penzance in Cornwall, England. Norman is a kind young man who suffers badly from psoriasis, causing him severe pain.

His only friend is Jax, a bad boy who gets into trouble at school, but is true-blue to his pal Norman. They watch endless hours of comedy on TV, and have worked up their own comedy routine, with Jax as the funny one and Norman as the straight man. They have a Five Year Plan to end up at the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. They call themselves "the Rolls Royce of friends".

When Jax dies of an asthma attack, Norman and Sadie are both devastated. Norman decides that to honor his friend, he will go to Edinburgh and perform alone. The only problem is that Norman is the straight man, not the funny one.

Sadie has a connection to the Fringe Festival. Thirteen years ago that is the place where she had a series of one night stands with four men, resulting in the birth of Norman nine months later. Along with the help of Leonard, retired IT expert and part-time janitor at Sadie's job, they track down the four men and plan a road trip to Edinburgh.

Leonard has arranged for stops along the way for Norman to work out his comedy routine at open mic nights, while Sadie contacts the four possible fathers. Hijinx ensue.

The writing is crisp, with plenty of humor and a little sadness. Sadie has some really funny one-liners, and it seems that everytime they need a skill- setting up a spreadsheet, Photoshopping- Leonard had taken a helpful adult education class at the community center. (He can also ice a wedding cake, weld, and cook a proper Spanish paella.)

When Norman and Sadie needs some kindness, there are people there to help: Big Al, the 6'2 beer-swilling Keats-loving poet who gives Norman pointers on his performance, Tom (a possible father) and his girlfriend Kathy who attend Norman's disasterous talent show where two Frank Sinatra inpersonators end up fighting onstage, and a young Goth woman Sadie meets on a bus who helps Sadie find a missing Leonard.

The spirit of young Jax hangs over all of this lovely story, a mashup of Ricky Gervais' Nextflix show After Life, the Broadway show/movie Mamma Mia, and a buddy road trip movie. (Now you know you can't resist.)

If you're looking for a delightful story that will renew your faith in the goodness of humans (couldn't we all use that right now), pick up The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman. I'm still smiling thinking about Norman, Sadie & company. It's a love letter to single moms and their sons, and this would make a fantastic movie, I certainly hope someone options it right away.

Thanks to Harlequin Books for putting me on Julietta Henderson's tour. ( )