There are not enough adjectives to express how much I love this book. Reading it was like taking a shot of feel good fuzzies directly into my heart. Which is a miracle, because the premise of this book doesn’t exactly scream warm fuzzies. But I dare anyone to read it and not fall head over heels in love with Norman Foreman.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman tells the story of a 12 year old boy, Norman Foreman, who plans on going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival when he’s 15 as part of a comedy duo with his best friend Jax. These plans are upended when Jax dies, leaving Norman without his comedy partner and best friend. So he decides that the best way to honour Jax is to go to Edinburgh anyway to perform a tribute show. His mom, Sadie, and Sadie’s elderly co-worker, Leonard, decide that they will help Norman in this quest, and the three of them set off on a road trip to Edinburgh and comedy glory. And just for good measure, they’re going to find Norman’s father along the way.
You would think that a book that opens with the death of a 12 year old boy would be heartbreakingly sad. And it is at times. The grief that both Norman and Sadie feel over the loss of Jax is palpable. And the way they both look after each other in the aftermath of their loss is achingly beautiful. But this book is a classic road trip comedy, and not only do you fall helplessly in love with all of the characters along the way, but you also laugh out loud at all of their adventures.
All in all, this is a gorgeously written book that had me hooked from beginning to end. So much so that I was actively sad when it was over and I had spent my last page with these characters. Fingers crossed there’s a sequel in the future.
Suggestions for artists I should check out? Please contact me with your ideas. I hope you enjoyed your daily helping of art!
