The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman

I loved this book for its characters, especially Norman. Only a twelve-year-old boy, Norman has suffered the loss of his one true friend and now forms brave new plans: to find his birth father and to perform as a stand-up comedian at Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival. He is helped by his mother, her older colleague, and others he meets on the road trip to Scotland. Norman has terrible skin psoriasis, a fetish for cheese on toast, and vast quantities of courage and determination.

Some wisdom from Norman: "Never give up. Because no matter if everything goes to hell in a… show more.

What a joyous read! Which may seem like a funny thing to say when the story revolves around twelve-year-old Norman, mourning the loss of his best friend, and his single mother Sadie, who has past issues to resolve. But trust me, it’s so funny and cute and is a rollicking good read. They go on an adventure, with their elderly friend Leonard, to realise Norman’s (and his late friend’s) dreams of performing at the Edinburgh comedy festival, and to discover who Norman’s father is. Written from both characters’ points of view, you get to see different perspectives on their situation,… show more.