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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
For readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures and A Man Called Ove, a warm, life-affirming debut about a zany case of mistaken identity that allows a lonely old man one last chance to be part of a family.
‘Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.'
Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from. At eighty-two, he’s desperately lonely, broke, and on the brink of homelessness. But Fred’s luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of grumpy Bernard Greer at the local nursing home. Now he has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his head—as long as his poker face is in better shape than his prostate and that his look-alike never turns up.
Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mom and caregiver at Bernard's facility, her crumbling marriage and daughter's health concerns are suffocating her joy for life. Wounded by her two-faced husband, she vows never to let a man deceive her again.
As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes, he leaves a trail of kindness behind him, fueling Denise's suspicions about his true identity. When unexpected truths are revealed, Fred and Denise rediscover their sense of purpose and learn how to return a broken life to mint condition.
Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a hilarious, feel-good, clever novel about grief, forgiveness, redemption, and finding family.
‘Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.'
Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed with a full tank of gas. The problem is there’s nobody left in Fred’s life to borrow from. At eighty-two, he’s desperately lonely, broke, and on the brink of homelessness. But Fred’s luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of grumpy Bernard Greer at the local nursing home. Now he has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his head—as long as his poker face is in better shape than his prostate and that his look-alike never turns up.
Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mom and caregiver at Bernard's facility, her crumbling marriage and daughter's health concerns are suffocating her joy for life. Wounded by her two-faced husband, she vows never to let a man deceive her again.
As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes, he leaves a trail of kindness behind him, fueling Denise's suspicions about his true identity. When unexpected truths are revealed, Fred and Denise rediscover their sense of purpose and learn how to return a broken life to mint condition.
Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a hilarious, feel-good, clever novel about grief, forgiveness, redemption, and finding family.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published July 2, 2024
2997 people are currently reading
56439 people want to read
About the author
Anna Johnston
1 book548 followersAnna Johnston is a former baby, aspiring octogenarian and emerging Australian author with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. She grew up in country Victoria before moving to Melbourne where she lives joyously with her husband and daughters by the beach. Anna left an imminent career in medicine to follow her heart into her grandfather’s nursing home where she became the social support coordinator, taking great delight in shaking up the usual program. When injury left her unable to continue working in aged care, she began to write about it, channelling her love for older people onto the page. Anna has enjoyed a lifelong passion for theatre, screenplay, travel, and creative ageing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,674 reviews
September 10, 2024
I have been waiting for the next “OVE” to love-and I just found him in Frederick Fife! An EASY 5 STARS! ⭐️
Frederick Fife lost the love of his life-his wife Dawn-and all of their money-trying experimental treatments with the hope of beating her Cancer. And now, after months of being unable to pay his rent-he has also found himself homeless.
Perhaps it’s fate that intervenes, when he witnesses an elderly man in a wheelchair, fall while feeding seagulls, during a group outing of the Wattle River Nursing Home. He attempts to assist but the man, clearly deceased, falls into the river, and is washed away along with Frederick’s wallet.
Remarkably, he resembles this man, Bernard Greer, closely enough to pass for him-and despite his protests and explanations-the staff chalks off his ramblings as dementia and he is whisked into the wheelchair, onto the bus, and into the man’s room and pajamas.
He can’t really remember when he last had a warm meal, and the bed is so comfy-surely being Bernard for one night couldn’t hurt…
Fred soon discovers that Bernard seems to have no family left either and maybe, just maybe, he can borrow his life and have a place to live out his days? He has been so lonely, and the staff and some of the residents are already starting to feel like “found family” with each passing day.
This is a POIGNANT DEBUT which is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. And, it had a better twist than some of the thrillers I have read this year!
If you enjoy character driven novels, which have you missing the “people” you meet, as soon as you turn the last page-this is a book for you! I needed tissues more than once!
I dare you to not fall in love with Mr. Frederick Fife! ❤️
MEET HIM TODAY! AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Frederick Fife lost the love of his life-his wife Dawn-and all of their money-trying experimental treatments with the hope of beating her Cancer. And now, after months of being unable to pay his rent-he has also found himself homeless.
Perhaps it’s fate that intervenes, when he witnesses an elderly man in a wheelchair, fall while feeding seagulls, during a group outing of the Wattle River Nursing Home. He attempts to assist but the man, clearly deceased, falls into the river, and is washed away along with Frederick’s wallet.
Remarkably, he resembles this man, Bernard Greer, closely enough to pass for him-and despite his protests and explanations-the staff chalks off his ramblings as dementia and he is whisked into the wheelchair, onto the bus, and into the man’s room and pajamas.
He can’t really remember when he last had a warm meal, and the bed is so comfy-surely being Bernard for one night couldn’t hurt…
Fred soon discovers that Bernard seems to have no family left either and maybe, just maybe, he can borrow his life and have a place to live out his days? He has been so lonely, and the staff and some of the residents are already starting to feel like “found family” with each passing day.
This is a POIGNANT DEBUT which is equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming. And, it had a better twist than some of the thrillers I have read this year!
If you enjoy character driven novels, which have you missing the “people” you meet, as soon as you turn the last page-this is a book for you! I needed tissues more than once!
I dare you to not fall in love with Mr. Frederick Fife! ❤️
MEET HIM TODAY! AVAILABLE NOW!!
Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
December 20, 2024
I delayed reading this because of high expectations. It sounded like my perfect book!
Eighty-two-year-old, Frederick Fife, experiences a case of mistaken identity with aged care resident, Bernard Greer, after finding him dead in his wheelchair. Broke, lonely, and recently evicted, Fred embraces his new home and circumstances, touching numerous people with his kindness along the way.
“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I mean, I know you’re not using it, you see, and it seems a shame for it to go to waste. I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”
I devoured this quicker than Fred with his Iced Vovos. Despite this, I have mixed feelings. Numerous aspects hit close to home, and it seemed for every heartwarming moment, there were depressive ones too, which sometimes got me down.
It was easy to imagine these chapters as movie scenes with an emotive score. My favourite chapter involved Fred and Albert hijacking a scooter to go shopping for wedding suits! I loved watching his friendship with Albert develop and how Fred later embraced learning to knit. It was also a pleasant surprise to see my hometown and former watering hole mentioned.
Anna Johnston knows how to deliver an effective twist! I didn’t see it coming. The main characters were strong and well-developed, with side characters just as likeable. I also enjoyed the contrast between old and young love.
“As Fred gazed upon young love and old love side by side, his heart felt fuller than it had in a very long time.”
Unfortunately, there was constant toilet humour and crying. The heavy reliance on fart jokes to inject comedy became repetitive - though not as repetitive as the crying. So many tears, damp eyes, and Kleenex. The characters couldn’t stop. The amount of crying caused me to disconnect from the story emotionally – despite a strong first half. It became a distraction and when combined with syrupy lines, bordered on emotional manipulation.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife explores many important themes – especially invisibility of the elderly. The cinematic, perhaps cliche ending, neatly tied everything together. It's a story that kept me engaged and always hoping for good outcomes. While I didn't enjoy some aspects, I still recommend to those who love books with big hearts and kind characters.
I won't look at seagulls quite the same.
“You’d be surprised how people treat you differently when you’re older. You don’t feel any different, but it’s as though you fade away, like a Polaroid picture in reverse.”
Many thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you also to Ann Elyse for this buddy read and tolerating my rants!
Eighty-two-year-old, Frederick Fife, experiences a case of mistaken identity with aged care resident, Bernard Greer, after finding him dead in his wheelchair. Broke, lonely, and recently evicted, Fred embraces his new home and circumstances, touching numerous people with his kindness along the way.
“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I mean, I know you’re not using it, you see, and it seems a shame for it to go to waste. I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.”
I devoured this quicker than Fred with his Iced Vovos. Despite this, I have mixed feelings. Numerous aspects hit close to home, and it seemed for every heartwarming moment, there were depressive ones too, which sometimes got me down.
It was easy to imagine these chapters as movie scenes with an emotive score. My favourite chapter involved Fred and Albert hijacking a scooter to go shopping for wedding suits! I loved watching his friendship with Albert develop and how Fred later embraced learning to knit. It was also a pleasant surprise to see my hometown and former watering hole mentioned.
Anna Johnston knows how to deliver an effective twist! I didn’t see it coming. The main characters were strong and well-developed, with side characters just as likeable. I also enjoyed the contrast between old and young love.
“As Fred gazed upon young love and old love side by side, his heart felt fuller than it had in a very long time.”
Unfortunately, there was constant toilet humour and crying. The heavy reliance on fart jokes to inject comedy became repetitive - though not as repetitive as the crying. So many tears, damp eyes, and Kleenex. The characters couldn’t stop. The amount of crying caused me to disconnect from the story emotionally – despite a strong first half. It became a distraction and when combined with syrupy lines, bordered on emotional manipulation.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife explores many important themes – especially invisibility of the elderly. The cinematic, perhaps cliche ending, neatly tied everything together. It's a story that kept me engaged and always hoping for good outcomes. While I didn't enjoy some aspects, I still recommend to those who love books with big hearts and kind characters.
I won't look at seagulls quite the same.
“You’d be surprised how people treat you differently when you’re older. You don’t feel any different, but it’s as though you fade away, like a Polaroid picture in reverse.”
Many thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you also to Ann Elyse for this buddy read and tolerating my rants!
September 24, 2024
In a Nutshell: A heartwarming contemporary drama with a geriatric lead character. Amazing characters, great storyline, a couple of wow twists along the way. As impactful as Ove, but not at all like Ove. Read with your heart and not with your head to enjoy it better. My heart cooperated, for once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
First things first!
These day, it is de rigueur for any book with a geriatric male lead to be compared to Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’. While both books are brilliant, the comparison isn’t correct. Frederick is as similar to Ove as an apple is to red bell pepper. This isn’t the story of a grump who learns to open his heart again to love. This is the tale of a man whose heart is overflowing with love but has no one to share it with.
Bookish Yays:
🐨 Frederick. Dear sweet Frederick. The kind of man who makes the best husband and the best dad and granddad. He will warm the cockles of your heart.
🐨 The other characters at the care home. Loved so many of them, especially Kevin and Lin. A special shoutout to Patricia – never seen any senior citizen such as her in any book (and in real life too, thank heavens! 😂)
🐨 Hannah’s perspective – perfect as per her age. Loved how her emotions always come across realistically.
🐨 The themes. Quite a few but never overwhelming. For once, a debut work that does fill the kitchen sink but only up to capacity. My favourite was the found family one, but the others were great as well.
🐨 A separate yay for two of the themes - alcoholism and dementia – for being portrayed in a true-to-life manner. When you see me support alcoholism as a theme, you know the author did an awesome job.
🐨 The connection across the character perspectives. I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped like that!
🐨 The genuine depiction of the issues faced by senior citizens inside and outside of care homes. (The author’s GR bio will tell you why her writing is so accurate.)
🐨 The myriad life lessons sprinkled throughout the plot. Lots of learnings here on friendship, responsibility, marital commitment, professionalism, and parenting.
🐨 Many emotions gets somewhat maudlin at times. But the writing is such that the sentimentality suits the plot well.
🐨 Though the book is emotional, the approach is balanced by a good dose of humour. The situation of the individuals isn't funny, but it is refreshing to see them approach challenges with a smile.
🐨 The Aussie setting comes out well.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🦘 The implausibility of the identity confusion and the multiple coincidences later in the plot. It might be better if you pack away your logical side as this book requires much suspension of disbelief. Your heart will find the book better than your head might. My heart adored it; my head liked it a lot.
🦘 The potty humour. Works decently but goes over the top many times. This might not bother many readers, but I found it a bit annoying after a point. It sullied the wholesomeness of the story.
All in all, this is a novel that delivers well on multiple factors. Some might label it ‘sweet’ and ‘sentimental’. Others will call it ‘saccharine’ and ‘schmaltzy’. The book is all of these. If the first pair of adjectives attracts you and the second pair doesn’t bother you, this can be a delightful read with some appealing twists along the otherwise straightforward path.
Much recommended to anyone looking for a *mostly* wholesome read (as long as you don’t mind potty humour.)
4.5 stars, happy to round up as it is a very promising debut. I’d love to read more by this author.
My thanks to William Morrow for providing the DRC of “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
If you want another heartwarming novel that has an old man more similar to Ove, try out ‘Frank and Red’ by Matt Coyne. Frank and Ove could be long-lost twins! Frederick could be their good-natured friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
At eighty-two, Frederick Fife is all alone in the world. Lonely, broke, and on the verge of losing his home, Frederick has nothing to look forward to. But in an unexpected turn of luck, a case of mistaken identity leads him to be taken for Bernard Greer, a grumpy resident at the local nursing home. Now Frederick has all that he wanted: a roof over his head, food in his belly, and most importantly, companionship. But how long will this last? What will happen when Bernard is found?
The story comes to us in three third-person perspectives: that of Frederick and of two other key characters: Denise and Hannah. (Discover their identities through the book!)
First things first!
These day, it is de rigueur for any book with a geriatric male lead to be compared to Fredrik Backman’s ‘A Man Called Ove’. While both books are brilliant, the comparison isn’t correct. Frederick is as similar to Ove as an apple is to red bell pepper. This isn’t the story of a grump who learns to open his heart again to love. This is the tale of a man whose heart is overflowing with love but has no one to share it with.
Bookish Yays:
🐨 Frederick. Dear sweet Frederick. The kind of man who makes the best husband and the best dad and granddad. He will warm the cockles of your heart.
🐨 The other characters at the care home. Loved so many of them, especially Kevin and Lin. A special shoutout to Patricia – never seen any senior citizen such as her in any book (and in real life too, thank heavens! 😂)
🐨 Hannah’s perspective – perfect as per her age. Loved how her emotions always come across realistically.
🐨 The themes. Quite a few but never overwhelming. For once, a debut work that does fill the kitchen sink but only up to capacity. My favourite was the found family one, but the others were great as well.
🐨 A separate yay for two of the themes - alcoholism and dementia – for being portrayed in a true-to-life manner. When you see me support alcoholism as a theme, you know the author did an awesome job.
🐨 The connection across the character perspectives. I can’t remember the last time my jaw dropped like that!
🐨 The genuine depiction of the issues faced by senior citizens inside and outside of care homes. (The author’s GR bio will tell you why her writing is so accurate.)
🐨 The myriad life lessons sprinkled throughout the plot. Lots of learnings here on friendship, responsibility, marital commitment, professionalism, and parenting.
🐨 Many emotions gets somewhat maudlin at times. But the writing is such that the sentimentality suits the plot well.
🐨 Though the book is emotional, the approach is balanced by a good dose of humour. The situation of the individuals isn't funny, but it is refreshing to see them approach challenges with a smile.
🐨 The Aussie setting comes out well.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🦘 The implausibility of the identity confusion and the multiple coincidences later in the plot. It might be better if you pack away your logical side as this book requires much suspension of disbelief. Your heart will find the book better than your head might. My heart adored it; my head liked it a lot.
🦘 The potty humour. Works decently but goes over the top many times. This might not bother many readers, but I found it a bit annoying after a point. It sullied the wholesomeness of the story.
All in all, this is a novel that delivers well on multiple factors. Some might label it ‘sweet’ and ‘sentimental’. Others will call it ‘saccharine’ and ‘schmaltzy’. The book is all of these. If the first pair of adjectives attracts you and the second pair doesn’t bother you, this can be a delightful read with some appealing twists along the otherwise straightforward path.
Much recommended to anyone looking for a *mostly* wholesome read (as long as you don’t mind potty humour.)
4.5 stars, happy to round up as it is a very promising debut. I’d love to read more by this author.
My thanks to William Morrow for providing the DRC of “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
If you want another heartwarming novel that has an old man more similar to Ove, try out ‘Frank and Red’ by Matt Coyne. Frank and Ove could be long-lost twins! Frederick could be their good-natured friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
December 31, 2024
Favorite Book I won in 2024
Did you ever walk into the pages of a book and get that sensation of feeling cozy? Like you just wanted to wrap yourself up in a nice warm blanket with enough pillows supporting your head, knowing that whatever came through the pages, it was going to be a good read?
And, even if there were moments where you could feel that some things may appear predictable, or silly or imperfect, you just wanted to go with it, because you were enjoying the feeling of being in these characters lives? You know what I mean?
Well, this is what happened to me with this book. I was one of the lucky ones who won this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and I can’t be more pleased to share with you how it has kept me warm and welcomed to have the opportunity to meet 82-year-old Frederick Fife.
Now, let’s be real here. Fred didn’t start off this adventure on a good foot. He was coming on homeless, disenchanted with life, lonely without his precious, beautiful wife Dawn who had passed away.
“Grief was love with nowhere to go.”
So, we weren’t sure what was going to happen to him, until he happened to be by the river. And, in one moment, everything changed. For Fred. And, probably Bernard.
Whose Bernard you wonder? Well, this is what makes this story so appealing. As it happens, Bernard is almost a “twin” to Fred, so that when Bernard finds him, already passed away in his wheelchair at the river, and he thinks he is doing the right thing to return him to where he probably belongs, something happens again.
Let us just say, that Bernard is no longer present. (I really want you to experience the moment – so no spoilers from me!)
And, Fred is now mistaken for Bernard, and living Bernard’s life at Bernard’s care home. And, no matter how much Fred tries to tell everybody he isn’t Bernard, they won’t believe him.
“A pleasure to meet you. People call me Bernard.”
“You’d be surprised how people treat you differently when you’re older. You don’t feel any different, but it’s as though you fade away, like a Polaroid picture in reverse.”
Now, will Fred be discovered? How long can he keep up this masquerade that he didn’t want, even though this is a really nice home? And, what if Bernard is found?
So, Fred makes the most of this experience, and as readers we are watching Fred make a difference among the other residents and staff at the care home.
“Asking for help isn’t failing, you know – it’s refusing to fail.”
“What a blessing sleep could be sometimes, a merciful relief from dementia, from pain, from grief. A brief holiday where there were no suitcases full of burdens to carry. In dreams you could forget that you didn’t remember, and remember those who were no longer there.”
But Fred was there. And, he cared. And surprisingly, even though Bernard was so very grumpy, this new Bernard was anything but. So, how could they not like him?
We are also getting alternate chapters telling the story of Sadie and Hannah. How do these girls play into this story?
How will Fred make a difference in another young woman’s life – one associated with Bernard – and one who might just make a difference in his?
Will they discover that Fred is not Bernard? Or, will he live out the rest of his life as Bernard?
Sometimes we find family in the most unlikely places. For a few pages, I felt like I was with family. I think you will find some incredible characters to enjoy and appreciate and hope good things for – and maybe, just maybe, this one can provide a happily ever after for an 82-year-old man named Fred/Bernard. Can we hope? (No spoilers from me.)
Thank you, Goodreads for this gift read. This book will be available this coming September!
Did you ever walk into the pages of a book and get that sensation of feeling cozy? Like you just wanted to wrap yourself up in a nice warm blanket with enough pillows supporting your head, knowing that whatever came through the pages, it was going to be a good read?
And, even if there were moments where you could feel that some things may appear predictable, or silly or imperfect, you just wanted to go with it, because you were enjoying the feeling of being in these characters lives? You know what I mean?
Well, this is what happened to me with this book. I was one of the lucky ones who won this book as a Goodreads giveaway, and I can’t be more pleased to share with you how it has kept me warm and welcomed to have the opportunity to meet 82-year-old Frederick Fife.
Now, let’s be real here. Fred didn’t start off this adventure on a good foot. He was coming on homeless, disenchanted with life, lonely without his precious, beautiful wife Dawn who had passed away.
“Grief was love with nowhere to go.”
So, we weren’t sure what was going to happen to him, until he happened to be by the river. And, in one moment, everything changed. For Fred. And, probably Bernard.
Whose Bernard you wonder? Well, this is what makes this story so appealing. As it happens, Bernard is almost a “twin” to Fred, so that when Bernard finds him, already passed away in his wheelchair at the river, and he thinks he is doing the right thing to return him to where he probably belongs, something happens again.
Let us just say, that Bernard is no longer present. (I really want you to experience the moment – so no spoilers from me!)
And, Fred is now mistaken for Bernard, and living Bernard’s life at Bernard’s care home. And, no matter how much Fred tries to tell everybody he isn’t Bernard, they won’t believe him.
“A pleasure to meet you. People call me Bernard.”
“You’d be surprised how people treat you differently when you’re older. You don’t feel any different, but it’s as though you fade away, like a Polaroid picture in reverse.”
Now, will Fred be discovered? How long can he keep up this masquerade that he didn’t want, even though this is a really nice home? And, what if Bernard is found?
So, Fred makes the most of this experience, and as readers we are watching Fred make a difference among the other residents and staff at the care home.
“Asking for help isn’t failing, you know – it’s refusing to fail.”
“What a blessing sleep could be sometimes, a merciful relief from dementia, from pain, from grief. A brief holiday where there were no suitcases full of burdens to carry. In dreams you could forget that you didn’t remember, and remember those who were no longer there.”
But Fred was there. And, he cared. And surprisingly, even though Bernard was so very grumpy, this new Bernard was anything but. So, how could they not like him?
We are also getting alternate chapters telling the story of Sadie and Hannah. How do these girls play into this story?
How will Fred make a difference in another young woman’s life – one associated with Bernard – and one who might just make a difference in his?
Will they discover that Fred is not Bernard? Or, will he live out the rest of his life as Bernard?
Sometimes we find family in the most unlikely places. For a few pages, I felt like I was with family. I think you will find some incredible characters to enjoy and appreciate and hope good things for – and maybe, just maybe, this one can provide a happily ever after for an 82-year-old man named Fred/Bernard. Can we hope? (No spoilers from me.)
Thank you, Goodreads for this gift read. This book will be available this coming September!
November 21, 2024
A charming story of an 82 year old man and how he came into a nursing home as someone else.
A man who has come back alive given a 2nd chance. Maybe not as himself, but as a father, a brother and as a good friend. Sounds messy but it’s the power of a good heart that can change many lives in a bright and loving way. Frederick is this radiant smile who can set off a chain of reactions in a most splendid way.
The only thing that threw me off was that there were 3 storylines here. I didn’t realize it until a third of the way in. This may have been a me thing (in which case maybe I should be in a nursing home!) 🤷♀️ However, once I got the storylines back on track, it was smooth sailing.
Sugary and spice and everything nice kind of narrative. Which is usually not my forte, but Frederick Fife spread the joy even to a cynic like me.
I loved that this author based this on her own experience with that of her grandfather.
4.25⭐️
A man who has come back alive given a 2nd chance. Maybe not as himself, but as a father, a brother and as a good friend. Sounds messy but it’s the power of a good heart that can change many lives in a bright and loving way. Frederick is this radiant smile who can set off a chain of reactions in a most splendid way.
The only thing that threw me off was that there were 3 storylines here. I didn’t realize it until a third of the way in. This may have been a me thing (in which case maybe I should be in a nursing home!) 🤷♀️ However, once I got the storylines back on track, it was smooth sailing.
Sugary and spice and everything nice kind of narrative. Which is usually not my forte, but Frederick Fife spread the joy even to a cynic like me.
I loved that this author based this on her own experience with that of her grandfather.
4.25⭐️
December 13, 2024
I have found a new character to love after Ove it’s Fredrick Fife this narration by Tim Carroll had given me all the feels, the emotions swept me away I just loved every minute written by Anna Johnston this pulled me in every direction possible.
82 year old Fredrick Fife had seen better days he had to move out of his flat, no money & was down on his luck… until he got to live the life of Bernard a resident of Wattle River nursing home You see Bernard had died in a tragic accident the staff thought he was Bernard so Fredrick took on his persona he got hot meals every day had a hot shower & most of all he had company… but none of those things mean’t anything as he was missing his wife Dawn his long life companion.
Everything was going well until Bernard’s daughter Hannah shows up…. Let the games begin!
As I said I adored this novel it was uplifting with great characters it moved at a fast pace I think the author did a great job with the dementia part of the novel highly recommended all the fluffy stars 🌟
82 year old Fredrick Fife had seen better days he had to move out of his flat, no money & was down on his luck… until he got to live the life of Bernard a resident of Wattle River nursing home You see Bernard had died in a tragic accident the staff thought he was Bernard so Fredrick took on his persona he got hot meals every day had a hot shower & most of all he had company… but none of those things mean’t anything as he was missing his wife Dawn his long life companion.
Everything was going well until Bernard’s daughter Hannah shows up…. Let the games begin!
As I said I adored this novel it was uplifting with great characters it moved at a fast pace I think the author did a great job with the dementia part of the novel highly recommended all the fluffy stars 🌟
August 29, 2024
A sweet and charming book, that will make you fall in love with Fred.. a lonely 82 yr old man who gets a second chance at life after a very unlikely occurrence!
Loved it so much!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
Loved it so much!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
September 30, 2024
Asking for help isn’t failing you know, it’s refusing to fail.
If you are after a read that is bound to make you feel good, to take a load off your shoulders, and remember there is positivity all around, this book is for you. This is a debut novel, another thing to smile about, as it is a remarkably solid and well written book.
Frederick is in the wrong place at the wrong time, or would that be the opposite? Is this kismet, is this meant to be? He falls into another man's life, at the precise time he needs help. Fred is kind and genuine and amazingly tolerant and sharp witted. He carries out good deeds and is amazingly funny.
This is an affirming and positive tale with no hard edges, what you see is what you get, and I'm so pleased the author has quickly fallen into success. She's off to New York soon. This is well deserved, and furnished by the help of many along the way, as mentioned in the lengthy acknowledgements.
In times when life is often hard, where we see much negativity, this book breathes well deserved fresh air when needed most. Let this cast of characters envelope you, you won't be disappointed.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, with excellent narration by Tim Carroll.
If you are after a read that is bound to make you feel good, to take a load off your shoulders, and remember there is positivity all around, this book is for you. This is a debut novel, another thing to smile about, as it is a remarkably solid and well written book.
Frederick is in the wrong place at the wrong time, or would that be the opposite? Is this kismet, is this meant to be? He falls into another man's life, at the precise time he needs help. Fred is kind and genuine and amazingly tolerant and sharp witted. He carries out good deeds and is amazingly funny.
This is an affirming and positive tale with no hard edges, what you see is what you get, and I'm so pleased the author has quickly fallen into success. She's off to New York soon. This is well deserved, and furnished by the help of many along the way, as mentioned in the lengthy acknowledgements.
In times when life is often hard, where we see much negativity, this book breathes well deserved fresh air when needed most. Let this cast of characters envelope you, you won't be disappointed.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library, with excellent narration by Tim Carroll.
December 4, 2024
Overall, this story IS what I expected, but it dragged terribly in the first third & also felt a bit predictable and also felt rather derivative. There is some quirky charm but the overall picture it painted of aging & nursing home life & care was also quite depressing at times, and that outweighed Fred's story for me - just "meh", I guess...
May 10, 2024
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a lovely heartwarming story about an 82 year old gentleman who gets a second chance in life to have a family. Fred is 82 years old, widowed with no family or friends and about to be turned out of his apartment because he can’t pay the rent. Then through a strange turn of events and a case of mistaken identity Fred “borrows” the life of Bernard, a man the same age, and an uncanny physical resemblance who has passed away.
This story is so well done and moves along at a good pace. It reflects on our growing senior population and what many of them face such as loneliness, financial instability, loss of friends and loved ones, dementia, and how to care for these older adults as they enter the later stages of their life. Amidst these tough and sometimes sad topics we meet Fred. He is remarkable! He has a zest for life even though he has experienced great loss and is full of kindness and compassion and humor that he spreads to those around him. As Fred navigates the Wattle River Nursing Home we are introduced to some endearing residents and staff, and a few that especially need some help. Fred is up to the task and looks for ways to make the lives of those around him better. In doing so he enriches his own life and has the opportunity to find community and a new family at a time in life when he least expected it!
I just loved this debut novel by author Anna Johnson! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. This is my honest review.
Read
October 25, 2024DNF @ 14%
Too cute and preachy for me.
I know this is a well loved book, but it’s not for me. I should have taken my cue from the reviews that described this as a “cute” and “feel good” story. Cute books most often don’t work for me and this is the perfect example.
A large issue was that I didn’t click with the humour which is on the cheesy and silly side. I can see how many readers would love this aspect and read with a big smile on their face (as many reviewers have noted) but this wasn’t the case for me.
Another issue was that I didn’t buy into the entire idea behind this book — an elderly man being mistaken for a nursing home patient. Carers and nurses who were familiar with dealing with this man would have noticed he wasn’t the same as they dress, feed and bathe him daily. So I couldn’t buy into the entire plot.
I also found a preachiness to the writing. I know this is a me-issue, but I found the kindness lessons and themes were forced with eye-rolling dialogue and inner thoughts. I am all about spreading kindness but this didn’t feel genuine to me.
Overall, this was miss for me, but I’m happy so many readers are connecting with this novel as I think this “feel good story” will have a positive impact on whoever connects with the writing.
Too cute and preachy for me.
I know this is a well loved book, but it’s not for me. I should have taken my cue from the reviews that described this as a “cute” and “feel good” story. Cute books most often don’t work for me and this is the perfect example.
A large issue was that I didn’t click with the humour which is on the cheesy and silly side. I can see how many readers would love this aspect and read with a big smile on their face (as many reviewers have noted) but this wasn’t the case for me.
Another issue was that I didn’t buy into the entire idea behind this book — an elderly man being mistaken for a nursing home patient. Carers and nurses who were familiar with dealing with this man would have noticed he wasn’t the same as they dress, feed and bathe him daily. So I couldn’t buy into the entire plot.
I also found a preachiness to the writing. I know this is a me-issue, but I found the kindness lessons and themes were forced with eye-rolling dialogue and inner thoughts. I am all about spreading kindness but this didn’t feel genuine to me.
Overall, this was miss for me, but I’m happy so many readers are connecting with this novel as I think this “feel good story” will have a positive impact on whoever connects with the writing.
September 21, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Anna Johnston for an ARC of this book!**
"Our most basic instinct is not for survival, but for family." - Paul Pearsall
It all started with a blissful, sunny day by the river...
Frederick Fife has been biding his time and filling his days as best he can, but there's a hole in his heart. Ever since the love of his life, Dawn, was taken from him by cancer, he's been left with so much love to give, but nobody to receive it. At 82, with his bank account dwindling after so many months of Dawn's failed medical treatments, he wonders not only how he can pay his rent, but who will keep him company during these twilight years...and the loneliness aches. But during said afternoon by the water, quiet contemplation quickly goes awry when Frederick sees a man in a wheelchair (on sojourn with a group from his nursing home) fall into the water after attempting to feed the gulls.
Horrified, Frederick tries to intervene...but it's too late. He realizes that this mystery man has died suddenly, and before Frederick can blink, the man is being taken downstream, along with his wallet and any chance at identification. As he tries to get someone to help, Frederick comes in contact with a worker from the nursing home...and she believes HIM to be the man who fell from the wheelchair, Bernard Greer. She shuffles him onto the bus and back to the nursing home, despite Frederick's protests which are chalked up to dementia. When Frederick arrives, he spends a lot of time trying to convince the residents he is NOT Bernard - after all, the poor man deserves everything that is rightfully his! - but to no avail.
But then Frederick thinks - 3 meals a day, a warm place to stay, and loads of kind, lovely people around...maybe living Bernard's life for a while WOULDN'T be so bad. After all, why should all of this go to waste? After forming some fast friendships, "Bernard" settles in with his found family and thinks maybe he can successfully ride the wave. When nursing home worker Denise (who is dealing with a mountain of her OWN personal traumas) begins to gather mounting evidence about Bernard's true identity, however, can he keep his secret? And when Bernard's daughter, who is estranged of her own will, pops up to see Bernard...will she realize that the man living her father's life isn't who he says he is...and will she choose to forgive him...or TRULY cut him off for good?
Coming into this read with lots of early rave reviews from friends, it was hard to keep my expectations grounded and realistic. After all, this is Anna Johnston's debut, but with comparisons to Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and A Man Called Ove, Johnston had her work cut out for her. And while I didn't mistake the identity of the AUTHOR for Rachel Joyce or Fredrik Backman, I DID soak in the warmth and cheer of this charming, and emotionally-driven cozy, found family read!
In some ways, it would be easy for this novel to get lost in a sea of comps; while it is somewhat unique, the premise didn't FEEL entirely new. But at the same time, Johnston's tale is fueled mainly by the bold and brilliant characters that give her story heart - namely, of course, Frederick Fife himself. While men like Ove are more of a curmudgeon with a warm and gooey center (sort of like a particularly hard shelled Cadbury Cream egg), Frederick Fife is more like a warm flaky croissant with chocolate inside - you feel soothed from the first bite, and the sweet goodness just continues. While this did make him a lovable character (I don't think I've ever read a more kind octogenarian character in my LIFE! 🥰) it DID give him a little bit less to go off in terms of character development. The true journey of the novel centers more around ALL of the ancillary characters, and the growth that Frederick inspires in THEM, not the other way around. We also do hear a LOT about his relationship with Dawn, and while this was heart-wrenching, it could have been toned down at times. While this book had plenty of cute moments, I WAS hoping for more actual laugh out loud levity (a la Ove.)
Which brings me to the next area of opportunity and probably the only reason I couldn't give this book a higher rating: a LOT of the humor revolves around the bathroom, in one way or another. Everything from Depends jokes (minus the name brand) to passing gas is fair game, and if that sort of thing bothers you, I would either prepare yourself to skim these bits or steer clear. I'm not sure if this is the only type of humor that the target audience was supposed to find appealing, but it got a bit exhausting for me. While I was hoping for more laugh out loud moments, I don't think I recorded a single laugh throughout the book, even during the most 'jinky' of hijinks. (Side note - is that why Velma from Scooby Doo says "jinkies?" These are the things that keep me up at night...)😂
While I do think the novel had room for growth in the humor department, once the Emotion Train got rolling, it was full steam ahead! 🚂 The themes in this one can get pretty heavy, from pregnancy loss to alcoholism, so there is plenty of 'meat' for Frederick and his counterparts to tackle throughout the book. I'll be honest, at times it almost seemed like TOO much...I just wanted him to kick back and knit more baby booties. (No spoilers, but I couldn't write this review without mentioning that adorable moment!) It is a complicated web Johnston weaves, however, when she pulls in Denise's struggles in the middle of the book, not to mention plenty of backstory involving Bernard's daughter and her VERY complicated relationship with her father. Although the way things play out is a bit predictable, there are a few attempts at a 'gotcha' moment that at least had me hesitating (although to be honest, she didn't trick me!) so as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief for a bit, you'll be able to coast along with Frederick over the bumps along the highway to get to that HEA ending you just KNOW that this kind, elderly man just HAS to get... right? 🤞
And though you'll have to read this one to find out whether or not Frederick stays "Bernard" or not, I think he learned a very valuable lesson right at the beginning:
You should never, EVER feed the seagulls. 🚫
😉
4 stars
"Our most basic instinct is not for survival, but for family." - Paul Pearsall
It all started with a blissful, sunny day by the river...
Frederick Fife has been biding his time and filling his days as best he can, but there's a hole in his heart. Ever since the love of his life, Dawn, was taken from him by cancer, he's been left with so much love to give, but nobody to receive it. At 82, with his bank account dwindling after so many months of Dawn's failed medical treatments, he wonders not only how he can pay his rent, but who will keep him company during these twilight years...and the loneliness aches. But during said afternoon by the water, quiet contemplation quickly goes awry when Frederick sees a man in a wheelchair (on sojourn with a group from his nursing home) fall into the water after attempting to feed the gulls.
Horrified, Frederick tries to intervene...but it's too late. He realizes that this mystery man has died suddenly, and before Frederick can blink, the man is being taken downstream, along with his wallet and any chance at identification. As he tries to get someone to help, Frederick comes in contact with a worker from the nursing home...and she believes HIM to be the man who fell from the wheelchair, Bernard Greer. She shuffles him onto the bus and back to the nursing home, despite Frederick's protests which are chalked up to dementia. When Frederick arrives, he spends a lot of time trying to convince the residents he is NOT Bernard - after all, the poor man deserves everything that is rightfully his! - but to no avail.
But then Frederick thinks - 3 meals a day, a warm place to stay, and loads of kind, lovely people around...maybe living Bernard's life for a while WOULDN'T be so bad. After all, why should all of this go to waste? After forming some fast friendships, "Bernard" settles in with his found family and thinks maybe he can successfully ride the wave. When nursing home worker Denise (who is dealing with a mountain of her OWN personal traumas) begins to gather mounting evidence about Bernard's true identity, however, can he keep his secret? And when Bernard's daughter, who is estranged of her own will, pops up to see Bernard...will she realize that the man living her father's life isn't who he says he is...and will she choose to forgive him...or TRULY cut him off for good?
Coming into this read with lots of early rave reviews from friends, it was hard to keep my expectations grounded and realistic. After all, this is Anna Johnston's debut, but with comparisons to Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and A Man Called Ove, Johnston had her work cut out for her. And while I didn't mistake the identity of the AUTHOR for Rachel Joyce or Fredrik Backman, I DID soak in the warmth and cheer of this charming, and emotionally-driven cozy, found family read!
In some ways, it would be easy for this novel to get lost in a sea of comps; while it is somewhat unique, the premise didn't FEEL entirely new. But at the same time, Johnston's tale is fueled mainly by the bold and brilliant characters that give her story heart - namely, of course, Frederick Fife himself. While men like Ove are more of a curmudgeon with a warm and gooey center (sort of like a particularly hard shelled Cadbury Cream egg), Frederick Fife is more like a warm flaky croissant with chocolate inside - you feel soothed from the first bite, and the sweet goodness just continues. While this did make him a lovable character (I don't think I've ever read a more kind octogenarian character in my LIFE! 🥰) it DID give him a little bit less to go off in terms of character development. The true journey of the novel centers more around ALL of the ancillary characters, and the growth that Frederick inspires in THEM, not the other way around. We also do hear a LOT about his relationship with Dawn, and while this was heart-wrenching, it could have been toned down at times. While this book had plenty of cute moments, I WAS hoping for more actual laugh out loud levity (a la Ove.)
Which brings me to the next area of opportunity and probably the only reason I couldn't give this book a higher rating: a LOT of the humor revolves around the bathroom, in one way or another. Everything from Depends jokes (minus the name brand) to passing gas is fair game, and if that sort of thing bothers you, I would either prepare yourself to skim these bits or steer clear. I'm not sure if this is the only type of humor that the target audience was supposed to find appealing, but it got a bit exhausting for me. While I was hoping for more laugh out loud moments, I don't think I recorded a single laugh throughout the book, even during the most 'jinky' of hijinks. (Side note - is that why Velma from Scooby Doo says "jinkies?" These are the things that keep me up at night...)😂
While I do think the novel had room for growth in the humor department, once the Emotion Train got rolling, it was full steam ahead! 🚂 The themes in this one can get pretty heavy, from pregnancy loss to alcoholism, so there is plenty of 'meat' for Frederick and his counterparts to tackle throughout the book. I'll be honest, at times it almost seemed like TOO much...I just wanted him to kick back and knit more baby booties. (No spoilers, but I couldn't write this review without mentioning that adorable moment!) It is a complicated web Johnston weaves, however, when she pulls in Denise's struggles in the middle of the book, not to mention plenty of backstory involving Bernard's daughter and her VERY complicated relationship with her father. Although the way things play out is a bit predictable, there are a few attempts at a 'gotcha' moment that at least had me hesitating (although to be honest, she didn't trick me!) so as long as you're willing to suspend disbelief for a bit, you'll be able to coast along with Frederick over the bumps along the highway to get to that HEA ending you just KNOW that this kind, elderly man just HAS to get... right? 🤞
And though you'll have to read this one to find out whether or not Frederick stays "Bernard" or not, I think he learned a very valuable lesson right at the beginning:
You should never, EVER feed the seagulls. 🚫
😉
4 stars
April 8, 2025
Humorous. Engaging. Optimistic. Bittersweet...
Introducing one of my favorite characters of my 2024 reading year: Mr. Frederick Fife!❤️Fred is 82, kind, caring, and inches away from homelessness. His luck abruptly changes when he is mistaken for Bernard Greer, a curmudgeonly resident from a nearby care home. Fred tries to tell them he is not who they think he is, but how can he refuse a comfortable bed, prepared meals, and a private room?
And so, reluctantly yet gratefully, Fred plays along, borrowing Bernard's life while hoping his doppelgänger never surfaces...
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was the perfect book at the ideal time for me; Fred's journey as Bernard was both uplifting and thought-provoking. However, this story is not just about Fred; other characters have sizable moments in this book, too.
It explores themes of loneliness and found family, grief and forgiveness, and redemption and second chances. Finding a sense of purpose and importance of community are at the core of the story.
This was an immersion read with the gifted DRC and the Audible audiobook narrated by Tim Carroll, who recounts the story in an upbeat tone with gender voicing that is fun and entertaining.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a book I enjoyed spending time with, and Frederick Fife is a character I will not soon forget!
4.5⭐
Thank you to William Morrow and Anna Johnston for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Introducing one of my favorite characters of my 2024 reading year: Mr. Frederick Fife!❤️Fred is 82, kind, caring, and inches away from homelessness. His luck abruptly changes when he is mistaken for Bernard Greer, a curmudgeonly resident from a nearby care home. Fred tries to tell them he is not who they think he is, but how can he refuse a comfortable bed, prepared meals, and a private room?
And so, reluctantly yet gratefully, Fred plays along, borrowing Bernard's life while hoping his doppelgänger never surfaces...
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife was the perfect book at the ideal time for me; Fred's journey as Bernard was both uplifting and thought-provoking. However, this story is not just about Fred; other characters have sizable moments in this book, too.
It explores themes of loneliness and found family, grief and forgiveness, and redemption and second chances. Finding a sense of purpose and importance of community are at the core of the story.
This was an immersion read with the gifted DRC and the Audible audiobook narrated by Tim Carroll, who recounts the story in an upbeat tone with gender voicing that is fun and entertaining.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a book I enjoyed spending time with, and Frederick Fife is a character I will not soon forget!
4.5⭐
Thank you to William Morrow and Anna Johnston for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
November 10, 2024
"Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I'll take excellent care of it." Imagine being on the streets alone at 82 years broke and hungry, not to mention heartbroken over the loss of a spouse. Frederick Fife, a kind soul, has so much love in his heart but no one to share it with. With nowhere to turn, he wanders along the streets aimlessly, until he runs upon Bernard Greer by the river in a wheelchair. He is on an outing with the local nursing home. When Fred sees he is deceased, he tries to push him back to the nursing home, but one mishap over another occurs. When Fred falls unconscious, he finds himself in Bernard's room with his mistaken identity since they could pass for twins.
Fred finds himself in a cozy, warm bed, hot meals and a place he is well taken care of. The story is an eye opener to the lonely and elderly. With so many turns, a bountiful amount of humor, Fred finds himself sharing his kindness, unlike Bernard, which has some caretakers questioning it quietly to themselves.
There are so many characters, which play an important role. My heart melted over the situation and plot of characters that just needed someone to love with no regrets. The story unfolds in forgiveness, finding family, acceptance and surprises that will change you for the better.
Thank you Edelweiss Books and William Morrow for this chance to review this book after it was published! :)
Fred finds himself in a cozy, warm bed, hot meals and a place he is well taken care of. The story is an eye opener to the lonely and elderly. With so many turns, a bountiful amount of humor, Fred finds himself sharing his kindness, unlike Bernard, which has some caretakers questioning it quietly to themselves.
There are so many characters, which play an important role. My heart melted over the situation and plot of characters that just needed someone to love with no regrets. The story unfolds in forgiveness, finding family, acceptance and surprises that will change you for the better.
Thank you Edelweiss Books and William Morrow for this chance to review this book after it was published! :)
September 12, 2024
This was a very sweet and heartwarming story about a lonely 82 year old man who is contemplating his impending homelessness when he comes across a deceased man who happens to be his doppelgänger. While trying to return the previously wheelchair bound man to his nursing home group an incident occurs and he is mistaken for the other man. Since no one will believe him when he says his name is Frederick, not Bernard, he decides to borrow the other man's life.
I really enjoyed this story except for a couple of things. First, while some of the humor was cute, there was far too much potty humor. It got to the point were I would roll my eyes at the fart jokes. It was unnecessary and too immature for the story. It ended up being an annoyance instead of humorous.
I also didn't like the repetition of some of the thoughts. I felt that we were beaten over the head with it. I understood that Fred had regrets and he missed his wife and was lonely, etc... However, I feel that this was all just repeated a bit too much.
Otherwise, I loved the story. I was ok with suspending my disbelief, I expected that going in. I was also ok with knowing mostly where the story would go. No spoilery details, but I really liked the tricky bit. Johnston got me there for a minute! I thought the story was sweet and uplifting. I love the overarching themes of kindness and forgiveness. I was happy for the little found family.
Overall, a beautiful story that reads like the debut it is. I expect Johnston's writing will only improve with time and if her stories continue to be this heartfelt she will be in for a wonderful career. 3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed this story except for a couple of things. First, while some of the humor was cute, there was far too much potty humor. It got to the point were I would roll my eyes at the fart jokes. It was unnecessary and too immature for the story. It ended up being an annoyance instead of humorous.
I also didn't like the repetition of some of the thoughts. I felt that we were beaten over the head with it. I understood that Fred had regrets and he missed his wife and was lonely, etc... However, I feel that this was all just repeated a bit too much.
Otherwise, I loved the story. I was ok with suspending my disbelief, I expected that going in. I was also ok with knowing mostly where the story would go. No spoilery details, but I really liked the tricky bit. Johnston got me there for a minute! I thought the story was sweet and uplifting. I love the overarching themes of kindness and forgiveness. I was happy for the little found family.
Overall, a beautiful story that reads like the debut it is. I expect Johnston's writing will only improve with time and if her stories continue to be this heartfelt she will be in for a wonderful career. 3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 9, 2024
As an 76-year-old mature adult I find that a book that begins with fart and constipation jokes does not bode well.... something is as aversive as "a flying hemorrhoid cream"... should he mention " his weak stream or the mole on his scrotum?" Is this author 12???? "Fred woke with a start or maybe a fart" Woman in pink nightgown: "Isn't mr. chicken twisty happy to see me?" making a phallic jesture with her index finger" The clock chimes and Frederick starts and farts at the same time - something he thought was impossible. I thought that we had left the bodily functions behind, but now we have a suppository for constipation... Fred and a friend sneak out of the nursing home, but of course the expedition could not occur without a bathroom accident... Silly me, I thought we were finished with the fart jokes, but now Fred is breaking wind in the police station. This might have been a sweet novella if the potty jokes for 12-year-old boys had been removed from the book. What editor guided this publication??? It is a sin to compare it to "A Man Called Ove" which does have humor, but it is mature and not infantile. Kristi & Abby Tabby Childless Cat Lady
September 4, 2024
A marvelous debut novel! This is a heartwarming and touching story about second chances, the power of forgiveness, living your life to the fullest, and finding "family" in unusual places.
Unlike the main character, in the book A Man Called Ove, Frederick Fife is far from being a curmudgeon. Fred is the kind of guy that everyone wants for a friend or a family member. He is kind, caring, considerate, and totally lovable.
Down on his luck, penniless, homeless, and grieving, 82 year-old Frederick Fife finds himself smack dab in a case of mistaken identity. He tries to tell the truth and explain to the staff at the Wattle River nursing home that he's not Bernard, but no one believes him. Bernard wasn't a perfect man or a perfect husband or father, but Fred is given a chance to make amends and quite possibly put Bernard's legacy back together again, while helping others along the way. Of course, for Fred, hot showers, regular meals, and a soft bed beat sleeping out on the street any day. You'll be dying to find out how Fred gets out of one sticky situation after another.
I fell in love with Frederick Fife, this story, and several other characters in this book too. If you are looking for a story that will tug on your heartstrings, but also make you laugh, then this is the book for you. Publication date: September 10, 2024.
My sincere thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley who made it possible for me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Unlike the main character, in the book A Man Called Ove, Frederick Fife is far from being a curmudgeon. Fred is the kind of guy that everyone wants for a friend or a family member. He is kind, caring, considerate, and totally lovable.
Down on his luck, penniless, homeless, and grieving, 82 year-old Frederick Fife finds himself smack dab in a case of mistaken identity. He tries to tell the truth and explain to the staff at the Wattle River nursing home that he's not Bernard, but no one believes him. Bernard wasn't a perfect man or a perfect husband or father, but Fred is given a chance to make amends and quite possibly put Bernard's legacy back together again, while helping others along the way. Of course, for Fred, hot showers, regular meals, and a soft bed beat sleeping out on the street any day. You'll be dying to find out how Fred gets out of one sticky situation after another.
I fell in love with Frederick Fife, this story, and several other characters in this book too. If you are looking for a story that will tug on your heartstrings, but also make you laugh, then this is the book for you. Publication date: September 10, 2024.
My sincere thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley who made it possible for me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 26, 2024
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston was utterly delightful, I adored the loveable Fred. I really needed to read a book like this, so full of love and joy, it made my heart explode! This is a book for everyone, I couldn’t have loved it more. One of the best books of 2024!
With it’s fabulous plot and just the right amount of wit this debut book will deliver a smile on your face.
Frederick Fife is an eighty two year old widowed gentleman who is on the brink of homelessness but when he’s mistaken for someone else his good fortune gives him a comfy bed at the Wattle River Nursing Home and a chance at never being lonely again.
Fred ‘borrows’ the life of Bernard and walks in his shoes to discover much about Bernard’s past life. I loved the way Fred impacted the lives of others with his kindness and compassion and his amazing zest for life.
There are themes of grief, romance, social isolation, homelessness, addiction, dementia and loneliness.
A gorgeous story that makes you realise the important things in life, I would love to see The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife made into a movie. I cannot wait to see what Anna gives us next, what a cracker of a debut!
Publication Date 02 July 2024
Publisher Imprint Michael Joseph
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book and PR pack, the Iced VoVo’s were amazing and I loved how they related to the story.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston was utterly delightful, I adored the loveable Fred. I really needed to read a book like this, so full of love and joy, it made my heart explode! This is a book for everyone, I couldn’t have loved it more. One of the best books of 2024!
With it’s fabulous plot and just the right amount of wit this debut book will deliver a smile on your face.
Frederick Fife is an eighty two year old widowed gentleman who is on the brink of homelessness but when he’s mistaken for someone else his good fortune gives him a comfy bed at the Wattle River Nursing Home and a chance at never being lonely again.
Fred ‘borrows’ the life of Bernard and walks in his shoes to discover much about Bernard’s past life. I loved the way Fred impacted the lives of others with his kindness and compassion and his amazing zest for life.
There are themes of grief, romance, social isolation, homelessness, addiction, dementia and loneliness.
A gorgeous story that makes you realise the important things in life, I would love to see The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife made into a movie. I cannot wait to see what Anna gives us next, what a cracker of a debut!
Publication Date 02 July 2024
Publisher Imprint Michael Joseph
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book and PR pack, the Iced VoVo’s were amazing and I loved how they related to the story.
September 27, 2024
I can’t remember the last time a book made me feel this much. I loved this book sooo much!!! Frederick Fife stole my heart from the very first page. His kind, quirky nature and hopeless optimism, even as he’s about to lose everything, made me want to reach through the pages and give him a hug. And when his life takes that crazy turn—swapping places with the grumpiest guy at the nursing home—I knew I was in for a ride that would keep me hooked until the very last word.
Fred is the kind of person we all hope to meet someday—someone who leaves a little bit of happiness everywhere he goes, even when he’s pretending to be someone else. His interactions with Denise, the overworked but deeply compassionate caregiver, were so genuine and filled with warmth. Watching her gradually open up to Fred’s unexpected kindness, even while being suspicious of him, felt real and incredibly moving.
This book made me laugh out loud (seriously, Fred’s inner dialogue is hilarious!), but it also hit me with moments of unexpected sadness and hope. I found myself cheering Fred on despite his little charade, because his heart was always in the right place. I loved how his small acts of kindness rippled out to everyone around him, slowly transforming not just his own life, but those of the people he met.
By the time I finished, I had tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face. It’s rare to find a story that can balance humor and heartbreak so beautifully, but The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife does it effortlessly. This book deserves to be turned into a movie! I’m going to be recommending this to everyone I know. Anna Johnson has crafted something truly special here, and I’ll be waiting eagerly to see what she does next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fred is the kind of person we all hope to meet someday—someone who leaves a little bit of happiness everywhere he goes, even when he’s pretending to be someone else. His interactions with Denise, the overworked but deeply compassionate caregiver, were so genuine and filled with warmth. Watching her gradually open up to Fred’s unexpected kindness, even while being suspicious of him, felt real and incredibly moving.
This book made me laugh out loud (seriously, Fred’s inner dialogue is hilarious!), but it also hit me with moments of unexpected sadness and hope. I found myself cheering Fred on despite his little charade, because his heart was always in the right place. I loved how his small acts of kindness rippled out to everyone around him, slowly transforming not just his own life, but those of the people he met.
By the time I finished, I had tears in my eyes and a huge smile on my face. It’s rare to find a story that can balance humor and heartbreak so beautifully, but The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife does it effortlessly. This book deserves to be turned into a movie! I’m going to be recommending this to everyone I know. Anna Johnson has crafted something truly special here, and I’ll be waiting eagerly to see what she does next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 25, 2025
With all the craziness in the world, a "feel-good" humorous story was just what I needed to read. This is a warm-hearted story about how Fred became a resident of a nursing home using someone else's name. Fred was almost homeless when a case of mistaken identity landed him in an Australian care facility with warm beds and lots of food. He had been grieving, lonely, and overwhelmed with medical debt since his wife died so this was a second chance for a happy life. My only complaint is that it was a little confusing at first whether the author was writing two or three storylines until the Mums and Dads of two families were known by their first names.
The book is about kindness, forgiveness, empathy, friendship, and the love of a "found family." It's a charming story which will make a reader smile. The author based Fred's kind personality on her own grandfather.
The book is about kindness, forgiveness, empathy, friendship, and the love of a "found family." It's a charming story which will make a reader smile. The author based Fred's kind personality on her own grandfather.
July 5, 2025
What a lovely book! 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️🌟
October 5, 2024
Frederick Fife has the most endearing grandfatherly energy! The kind of man adult daughters want to adopt as Dad. Except… the life he’s living is a lie.
Frederick stumbles into assuming a dead man’s life at the exact moment his own is going down the toilet. And because his doppelgänger had dementia, no one believes him when he tries to set the record straight. How hard does he really want to try when revealing the truth could lead to charges of murder? Alone for so long, Frederick has finally found a community, and the chance to be part of a family.
It takes a pretty big swig of prune juice to swallow the premise of mistaken identity. But gulp, gulp, gulp I did. I was blindsided in the best way with how two storylines weaved together, and what I predicted was going on was wrong, wrong, wrong. I love being wrong when it means the story is unpredictable.
Some of the antics are silly, and one nursing home resident was more of a caricature than a character. But Frederick Fife is just so darn likable, I couldn’t help but fall in love with his story.
Frederick stumbles into assuming a dead man’s life at the exact moment his own is going down the toilet. And because his doppelgänger had dementia, no one believes him when he tries to set the record straight. How hard does he really want to try when revealing the truth could lead to charges of murder? Alone for so long, Frederick has finally found a community, and the chance to be part of a family.
It takes a pretty big swig of prune juice to swallow the premise of mistaken identity. But gulp, gulp, gulp I did. I was blindsided in the best way with how two storylines weaved together, and what I predicted was going on was wrong, wrong, wrong. I love being wrong when it means the story is unpredictable.
Some of the antics are silly, and one nursing home resident was more of a caricature than a character. But Frederick Fife is just so darn likable, I couldn’t help but fall in love with his story.
May 29, 2025
Like a cozy blanket on a rainy day, that is precisely how this book makes you feel. It's a beautiful story about compassion, love, struggles, family dynamics, loneliness, family, forgiveness, trauma, grief, life, and its complexities. I cried I laughed, but most importantly, I couldn't put the book down because the story captures you, and you want to understand how everything gets resolved. I would confidently recommend this book but don't forget to have your box of tissues nearby.
August 18, 2024
I won’t lie, I have mixed feelings about The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife. I really wanted to love it, but I found it danced too close to the line between delightful and depressing for me to truly enjoy it. Frederick is a wonderful character, and I’d love to sit down with him over a cup of tea and a biscuit, but the realities of mistreatment in aged care facilities and the lack of social safety net for older people hit just a bit too hard.
My full review of The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of The Borrowed Life Of Frederick Fife is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
March 1, 2025
I loved this book so much. Heartwarming and at times heartbreaking. I will definitely follow this author.
August 7, 2024
This book is full of ockerisms, cliches and fart jokes. I couldn’t work out who was the intended audience - youth? Non-Australians? I persisted and it does improve in the second half when the various plot lines (drunken abusive carer, lonely kind old man, workplace sweethearts, woman estranged from her emotionally distant father) all come together, but I am not sure it was worth the effort.
June 14, 2024
At the age of 82, Frederic Fife finds himself basically homeless. He’s lost the ‘home’ he and his recently deceased wife had lived in, courtesy of the landlord who evicted him. He isn’t sure what he will do now, without anyone to turn to. As he’s walking with no real direction, he ends up near a group of people nearby, all residents of a senior care center. He sees a man in a wheelchair, slumped over a bit, and proceeds to try to get him back among the other residents, but then there’s a mishap, and Frederic Fife finds himself in somewhat of a pickle.
The thing is, Frederic Fife looks almost exactly like the man who was, for a time, in the wheelchair, and all of the staff and residents believe that Frederic Fife is the man who was in the wheelchair, and do not understand even when he tells them otherwise.
This goes back and forth over time, looking back into earlier years, the regrets, the mistakes made, the love, the losses, and the pain of finding yourself all alone in this world, and no one believing in you.
There’s a lot of charm in this story, but there are moments of sadness, as well. After all, it does take place in a senior care center. But even then the feelings and memories are more bittersweet than sad.
This also shares the division that occurs in some families, as well as heartbreaking loss, but is also balanced by the kindness of some of the residents as well as the staff.
If you’ve read and enjoyed / loved Rachel Joyce’s books, you’ll enjoy this one, as well.
Pub Date: 10 Sep 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow
September 9, 2024
Awe this felt like a warm hug in a book. I adored this lovely wholesome tale that put a smile on my face and brightened my day. My heart completely melted over Frederick, you couldn’t help but feel for him over the turning situation he came to be in. And I greatly appreciate Anna Johnston for so adeptly shining a light on how special it feels when someone shows caring, kindness, and compassion towards another, most especially to our elders that often feel left behind as they grow older. Oh and I loved how Johnston perfectly mastered the mistaken identity trope, hilarious! 5 stars — Pub. 9/10/24
I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 13, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Who could not fall in love with Frederick Fife…
Who could not fall in love with Frederick Fife…
October 9, 2024
Looking for a book that will do this????
Well, allow me to introduce you to Fred. Ever since losing his wife Dawn, Fred just doesn’t have much left to live for and now he’s homeless as well. Then he “meets” Bernard, a resident of a local care home who has expired while feeding the birds while on an outing. When Fred attempts to notify someone about Bernard’s untimely demise, he accidentally dumps him from his wheelchair right into the drink where the current swiftly carries him away – and Fred is mistaken for Bernard.
After that . . .
Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I mean, I know you’re not using it, you see, and it seems a shame for it to go to waste. I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.
Follow along as Fred makes some new friends, dodges the advances of Patricia and even acquires the daughter he never got to have in his own life. The blurb is 100% accurate that this one is for those who can’t get enough of the feel-good stories like Remarkably Bright Creatures or A Man Called Ove. It will definitely make smiling your favorite ; )
3.5 Stars
Well, allow me to introduce you to Fred. Ever since losing his wife Dawn, Fred just doesn’t have much left to live for and now he’s homeless as well. Then he “meets” Bernard, a resident of a local care home who has expired while feeding the birds while on an outing. When Fred attempts to notify someone about Bernard’s untimely demise, he accidentally dumps him from his wheelchair right into the drink where the current swiftly carries him away – and Fred is mistaken for Bernard.
After that . . .
Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I mean, I know you’re not using it, you see, and it seems a shame for it to go to waste. I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.
Follow along as Fred makes some new friends, dodges the advances of Patricia and even acquires the daughter he never got to have in his own life. The blurb is 100% accurate that this one is for those who can’t get enough of the feel-good stories like Remarkably Bright Creatures or A Man Called Ove. It will definitely make smiling your favorite ; )
3.5 Stars
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