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The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman cover art

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

By: Julietta Henderson
Narrated by: Katherine Parkinson
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Publisher's Summary

What do you get when you cross a painfully awkward boy, some lofty comedic ambition and a dead best friend? Answer: Norman Foreman.

Norman and Jax are a legendary comedy duo in the making, with a five-year plan to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe by the time they're 12. But then Jax dies before they even turn 12.

Norman's mum, Sadie, knows she won't win Mother of the Year anytime soon, and she really doesn't know, or care, who Norman's father is. But her heart is broken when she discovers her grieving son's revised plan: 'Find Dad', and 'Get to the Edinburgh Fringe'.

If meeting his dad and performing at the Festival are the two things that will help Norman through this devastating time, then Sadie is going to make them happen.

So mother and son set off from Cornwall, with their friend Leonard in his vintage Austin Maxi, on a pilgrimage to Edinburgh - to honour Jax and to track down a few maybe-fathers on the way....

©2020 Julietta Henderson (P)2020 Penguin Random House Australia

Critic Reviews

"Charming and warm-hearted." (Sydney Morning Herald)

"One of those gorgeous books that completely lifts your spirits and restores your faith in humanity. An utterly lovely tale." (Ruth Jones, actress and best-selling author of Never Greener)

"What a charming, funny and cheering read. There's such a lovely, buoyant innocence to Norman and his quest - a coming-of-age that tickles and moves in equal measure." (Beth Morrey, best-selling author of Saving Missy)

What listeners say about The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

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Absolute gem of a story

I loved everything about this book. Light enough to hook me in - but substantial enough to keep me interested. It was full of heart and courage and love, just what I didn't know I didn't know I needed to hear :)

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Great book narrated brilliantly!

The first of three very funny books.
Cleverly observed and written.
Beautifully read by Katherine Parkinson.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A Character Filled Road Trip

A fun yarn with lots of fun characters as you follow Norman, his mum and Lenard from Cornwall to Edinburgh.
You get to laugh and have a tear. Well narrated

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful story telling

Beautifully written
Adorable characters
I want a sequel
A distraction the world needs right now …

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Adored it

Absolutely divine. Loved absolutely everything about this book. Cannot recommend highly enough, laughed and cried aloud.

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  • Overall
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Heartwarming

Loved the story, what a relief in these mad times. Characters so very relateable and the narration was wonderful.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Feel good book

Great feel book showing that people can change and mature at any age. Highly recommended a
read

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I laughed and cried at the same time

The narrator was incredible...accents, timing...brilliant! Loved the journey the story took us on! Amazing!

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Loved every second of this book

What a beautiful book, and exceptionally narrated Heartfelt, funny and thought provoking. I loved every minute of it.

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Best story I've heard in awhile

Such a gorgeous story. Beautiful characters and so well narrated. Love it and wish there was more.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.