The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.

Sometimes, in between all of the horror and thriller books I read, I need a book that warms up my cold, dead heart 😅 and this one definitely fit the ticket. A sweet, silly story that reminds you of the truly important things in life. I laughed, I teared up, and I rooted for Fred to get his happy ending. I see this being 2024's "Remarkably Bright Creatures" and a big hit!

5 super cute stars

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" tells the heartwarming tale of Fred, an elderly man mistaken for another named Bernard and taken to Bernard's nursing home. Here, Fred finds solace, learns about Bernard's past, and forms deep connections with the residents and staff. Through his journey, Fred discovers the importance of family, forgiveness, and redemption, finding a sense of belonging in his twilight years.

While the ending is uplifting, the book delves into profound sadness and tackles heavy topics (be sure to check the trigger warnings). Although some dialogue may feel forced, the story is well-paced and emotionally-driven. Overall, it's a solid choice for those who appreciate themes of found family, identity, and love and sacrifice, particularly if you enjoy a slower-paced read with a heartfelt message.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This book was a good one! It was incredibly heartwarming while diving into some heavier topics. The wisdom throughout was beautiful. I really enjoyed it.

“Grief’s blunt force could still wind him on bad days.” Frederick Fife’s wife, Dawn, had passed away ten years ago. She was his home, the love of his life. His circle of friends were gone as well. He was penniless and about to be homeless. Walking to the bank of the Wattle River, he noticed a man in a wheelchair feeding the seagulls. A bizarre accident occurred. “Dizzy, queasy…searched for words to protest but found none…the wheelchair lift raised [Fred] into the van. “Did they honestly think he was that poor bloke?”

Fred’s protests fell on deaf ears as he tried to convince staff from the Wattle River Nursing Home that he was not the wheelchair’s occupant. “For a moment, he forgot about his predicament and felt nothing but gratitude…[the cuppa and cookies offered] the flavors coated a delicious memory-they had been his dear Dawn’s favorite…he visited her in his mind…the memory wrapped itself like a warm blanket around his broken heart.”

“Where on earth was he? And why was he in a wheelchair?...Then, like a fast-acting laxative, it all came flooding back…the river…the seagulls…the body…the name.” Bernard Greer, his look-alike, was a grumpy old fart who resided at the nursing home. Fred tried again, “I don’t belong here…I’m Fred”. A caregiver returned with a DVD- The Fred Astaire Collection. “Fred deferred the decision to his tummy…he savored the…long forgotten sensation of being truly full.”

“Would you mind terribly, old boy, if I borrowed the rest of your life? I promise I’ll take excellent care of it.” Fred now had to learn to be Bernard Greer. This included pants wetting, name forgetting, and no fish and chips [food allergy].

The old Bernard had a personality reboot. Once a crusty codger, he now had a heart of gold. His humor, kindness and helping hand were witnessed by both residents and staff. He sprinkled pixy dust, snuck out and visited the mall incognito and orchestrated a magnificent celebration. His quest to learn more about Bernard opened a window of opportunity for a new passenger.

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by debut author Anna Johnston is an emotionally drawn, heartfelt novel full of love, longing, regret and redemption. The powerful ending brought this reader to tears!

Thank you William Morrow and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

After reading the synopsis for this (plus former listening to - and loving to the point of buying - audiobooks of The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (❤️Jim Broadbent) and Remarkably Bright Creatures (❤️Marcel)), I knew that I wanted to read this.

When I first started this, I felt like maybe I had made a terrible mistake in requesting this - I was looking for cozy and heartwarming - and this brought up the real global problem of homelessness, an accidental burial at sea, as well as an ill child. So, I was wary.

Needlessly, as it turned out, (and okay, I did really have to work to engage my suspension of disbelief in parts), but I very much enjoyed this; I smiled, I got teary, and I adored Frederick.



Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the DRC

I HOPE this book turns into a movie. I just LOVED this book. I cannot believe that a book about a nursing home would have this effect. This was such a great book I give it five stars. Entertainment 100%. Just when I think I have it all figured out something new popped up. I highly recommend this read for pure entertainment.netgalley gifted this book to me and all opinions are mine and if you read it may also be yours! I will follow this author after this!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a heartwarming book! I usually don't go for books that are unrealistic but I felt something about the synopsis was telling me this would be a good book. And it was so charming! Fred really is such a lovable character and definitely has best intentions for borrowing Bernard's life.

This is my favorite read of 2024 so far, and I have read a LOT of books! This novel has everything I look for in an engrossing read- a unique premise, interesting and believable characters, plus a storyline that keeps me turning the pages. I was so tuned in to Fred's character that I HAD to know if he could make it out of his dilemma, and if so- how. The author maneuvered this brilliantly (and I'm not saying anything more!)

The writing is spot-on; there are many, many laughable moments, and also so many touching moments that made my heart smile.

It's rare to find a well-written, intriguing book about senior citizens, and I have to say--- I will remember this one always and will share it with our KaleidoSoul book group.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

"The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" is a heartwarming and life-affirming debut about an elderly man. His mistaken identity gives him a final chance to experience family.

Frederick Fife, 82, is kind-hearted but lonely. He stands on the brink of homelessness. His luck changes when he is mistaken for Bernard Greer. He is admitted to the Wattle River Nursing Home. There he finds shelter, food and a sense of belonging. As Fred lives Bernard's life, he uncovers the man's past. He learns how to mend a broken life.

I loved this book! The concept, story and characters were delightful. They made me laugh and cry. It was so enjoyable. I savored every moment. This is one of the best reads I've had in a long time. Without giving too much away, the plot is full of engaging twists. These keep you hooked from start to finish. I will definitely follow this author. I never expected a book set in a nursing home to be so captivating. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow.

This was such a cool book! I loved it so much. It was so thought provoking and I highly recommend it to fiction readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife" and all opinions expressed are my own. Heartwarming story. You really have to find out what Fred/Bernard gets into. Very entertaining.

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

This was an interesting read that will resonate with people.
Our character essentially starts a new life and through this he really finds himself.
I enjoyed this one and I think others will too.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

I cried no less than 5 times reading this book. It’s sad, heartbreaking but also so incredibly warm and loving. “Grief is love with no place to go.”

Along the lines of a Man Called Ove this is a heartwarming book about another chance at life after the life one built has seemingly come to an end. Having spent a lot of time in a memory care ward over the last two years visiting a loved one this book made me cry. Dementia is different in everyone but it’s no less damaging. Fred brings so much love and understanding to those people around him in this environment that he accidentally finds himself in that we could all learn from him. To me the most endearing quality of his character is that he doesn’t waste his accidental opportunity. He doesn’t take any of it for granted. He spends all of his time trying to make the world a better place than he found it. As sad as it is that those people are in there because of life robbing dementia Fred’s life is even more tragic. He’s in a forgotten group of society. Were it not for his borrowed circumstances he most likely would be homeless and vulnerable. Along with the attention the book brings to the problems faced by the elderly population this book reminds us that a little compassion goes a long way. The elderly are still complicated humans on the inside. Growing older is definitely not for the faint of heart. The ending is exactly as I would want it to be even if it may be a bit unrealistic. Loved this book.

“The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnston was an absolutely awesome book! It is hard to believe that this is a debut novel as the story is unique, engaging and deals with the important societal topic of elder care.
The story revolves around an 82 year old man who is about to be homeless after the death of his beloved wife. While out walking, he finds himself among a group of senior citizens from a nearby group home and witnesses the death of a man in a wheelchair who amazingly is his doppelgänger. Through no fault of his own he winds up assuming the man’s identity and gets a second chance at life.

This story is so beautifully written and speaks to the issues of dementia, loneliness, financial instability and depression that many seniors face in the later stages of their lives. The book is sad, funny, hopeful and I predict it will be the runaway bestseller of 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book instantly made me think of "A Man Called Ove" which is one of my absolute favorite books! This 82 Year old man has so much heart and spirit left in him and it was written so well!! It was so easy to fall in love with this story and cast of characters! Honestly, this is easily one of my favorite books of 2024 and I will absolutely be listening to the audiobook and picking up a physical copy! Please make this into a movie!! I's a perfect found family/ second chance at life story!

This story about an 82-year-old man sets all the stereotypes about aging on their collective heads. One by one, this book distills all the myths about aging: how a person set in his ways can’t start over, how Alzheimer’s disease is an unfathomable illness, and how life can have meaning without forgiveness, to name a few.
Frederick Fife has been mistaken for Bernard Greer by the Wattle River nursing home. To make matters worse, the late Bernard Greer was found dead and lost by Fred in the river. Try as Fred might, he could not convince the nursing home he was Fred, not Bernard, because of a startling resemblance.
What’s a man to do? Fred settles in and enjoys the sumptuous food and entertaining clients of the nursing home while impersonating Bernard.
And it works for a while.
The author, Anna Johnston, plunges us into a backstory full of mystery. Where does Bernard disappear to at night? We suspect the worst.
When will his daughter, Hannah, re-surface? Not anytime soon.
This entertaining novel is an invitation to never give up because love can come when least expected and is just around the corner.
My thanks go to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishers for the ARC of this heartwarming story.

This will be made into a film, it is way too good of a story and so cinematic.

Therefore here is my dream cast.
Fred- Robert DeNiro
Dawn- Blythe Danner
Hannah- Amy Adams
Albert- Dustin Hoffman
Val- Sofia Loren

This is one of my top ten books of the year. For fans of A Man called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures- in a word, this is HEARTWARMING.

Our hero grows a heart of gold. About Schmidt, but make it Australian.

A case of mistaken identity, Frederick Fife becomes Bernard and lives his life, despite his protestations. You’re gonna love this one, chat. If you roll your eyes at cheesiness, stay away.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow books for the ARC. Book will be released September 10, 2024.

What a joy to read! I have to admit I have a special affinity for books with elderly characters who find joy!! This book was full of humor and hope and love and joy and pain and found family...AND ALL THE FEELS. if you are looking for a lovable character to fall for The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart!!

What a wonderful, touching, laugh out loud, emotional story taking place in a long term care facility where there is a case of mistaken identity!
Frederick Fife needs a miracle to happen for him.
He has no family, no money and is losing his living quarters all at eighty-two years old.
What did he ever do wrong? He has always helped everyone and tried to be a "good" guy.
While on a on a walk one day, he winds up with a head injury and then finds himself in a nursing home.
He realizes that life may not be so very bad. The food is great and people seem to care.
However... his name has changed and nobody believes who he really is. Could it be dementia?
Now what to do?

I loved Fred and I surely know anyone who picks up this story will truly like Fred and all his "new" friends.
I will add: tissues are definitely needed at times.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @William Morrow for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.
I will be looking for more from this author. Well done!

This is one of the very best books I have read in a long time! I was so very sad when it ended!!!! Whatever happens to turn a book into a movie needs to be happening now! This story is far too amazing to only be in print! This book ran the gamut of characters and emotions, drawing you into characters lives with skill and understanding. Such a great book, can not recommend it enough!

I received a free ebook from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review. I like fiction. Fiction is hit and miss. I don't like when I read a novel and I can figure out what is going to happen from the beginning. The book kept me surprised the entire book. It was a light and meaningful book.

I thought the book was about one thing when I started. The book ended up being about something very different. The characters were multi dimensional. All the characters were perfectly flawed. All the characters had pain and trauma.

I didn't truly understand the book when I started. The book was written from a few different points of view. Most of the time, I don't like books written from different POV. However, in this book it made the story better. .

It's a book written about so much. It's nice to see a book with older characters. A book that makes you think. A book that doesn't demonize our mistakes.

This is a book that I would probably reread. I would look at the book differently from a second read. There are so many themes in this book. It is a book about love, family, forgiveness, happiness, friendship, the elderly, listening, purpose, addition, and more.

I am so thankful to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I look forward to reading the authors next book. I would be interested in seeing the author if she does a book tour

A very charming debut novel! Loved the character of Fred, the second half of the this book was wonderful. I wonder if perhaps some of this will get edited as I read an early copy and there were parts that I felt could be edited (mall scene, looking at you). Sometimes you just need a lively heartwarming story about found family, an old guy and a serious turn of luck.

Frederick Fife is 82 years old, without family, and newly homeless. He encounters an elderly man who has peacefully passed away in his wheelchair on his daily walk, and through a series of quirky events Fred accidentally assumes his identity. The man, Bernard, lives at a well-appointed elder care facility where no one believes Fred’s pleas that he is not, in fact, Bernard. As Fred finally settles into the home, making friends with carers and neighbors alike, he finds information that complicates his ruse.

This is giving "a man called ove" with the pull-at-your-heartstrings level cranked all the way up. Fred and his relentlessly positive attitude create happy little ripples at wattle river nursing home - standing in as a devoted brother for a lovely man in the memory-care facility, offering patience and gratitude for the overworked carers, and testing out his matchmaking skills for two young nurses.

This is really such a lovely book to read at times like this, when things out of our control don't have much upside. It's an endearing reminder that we can make our own circles into glens of kindness.

This was an unexpected treasure of octegenarian wisdom, community, and confusion - I loved it. (And for what it’s worth, my 14 year old son read and highly recommends it too!)

Such a delightful romp with geriatric friends. Fred touched lives in many ways despite the circumstances in which he had encountered them. This is one is found family at its finest! It easily compares to “A Man Called Ove” and “All the Lonely People.”

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is universally charming, heartwarming, tear-jerking, and oddly enough, healing. This book had me rolling in laughter at one point and sobbing into my kindle the next. If you read nothing else this year, this is the one.

Anna Johnston is a debut author and she will be on my list of writers to watch from here on out. What a beautiful book about second chances and the power of love and connection. By a series of unfortunate events, Frederick Fife is mistaken for Bernard Greer at a nursing home. Though trying desperately to correct the mistaken identity, he cannot find anyone who will believe him as Bernard had just been diagnosed with dementia. Eventually, as Fred was homeless and had no where else to go, he decides he may as well just live there as not; after all, he isn’t harming anyone by living out his days as Bernard, right? Until one day Fred learns something about Bernard that makes it more and more challenging to continue the ruse. When everything is at stake, how can you choose?

I adored this book. What a powerful story of love and redemption. Bring your tissues.

I’d like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 *****

This is an absolute gem! An antidote to the negativity of daily life. .If you need a dose of human kindness, read this book!

I assume everyone reads the provided synopsis before looking at reviews so I won’t repeat the plot outline. Major and minor characters were well drawn; I was never confused among them though there were a good number of characters involved. And, they evolved (most of them) and blossomed thanks in no small part to Fred’s good nature.

The story was well written, flowed well. I was never jarred out of the story by an awkward turn of phrase or a poor segué. The plot was well crafted, with key turning points and the inevitable challenges. The complicated pasts of various characters were revealed bit by bit, organically as scenes unfolded. It was very well structured, but more than that, it just flowed. I devoured this story!

I HIGHLY recommend this book. I enjoyed every minute of it and will impatiently await more by this author.

My appreciation to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance review copy; my opinions are my own, and freely given.

I'd like to that NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me access to this book. This book was so heartwarming and I really loved Fredrick's character. I would highly recommend even to people who don't typically read this type of book.

Fred has completely warmed my heart. I was rooting for him the entire time, he was such a delight to everyone who got the pleasure of meeting him. The mishap that brought him to the nursing home was such a blessing to him and to the other residents. I absolutely adored this book, it is the same style of feel good story as those written by Phaedra Patrick. I will absolutely be looking out for the author's next book!

This was the heart warming story of Fred, who mistakenly takes over the life of another older gentleman after an accident. He moves into his home at the senior care facility and the reader gets to see what happens as a result.

Favorite parts:

+ Fred’s character was endearing, quirky, and easy to love.
+ I loved the found family troupe and seeing Fred find “his people”, even if it was later in life.
+ I enjoyed the commentary on the treatment of seniors and the plights that they face that are often overlooked, such as, loneliness, financial instability, loss of purpose, dementia, less than stellar care, etc.

Parts I could’ve done without:

- The pacing felt a little slow to me at times. This is a much more character driven novel; I wish a little more had happened in the plot.
- It definitely requires a suspension of disbelief.
- Lots of senior citizen “potty talk”, sometimes it was funny, sometimes it felt over the top.

Overall: This was a heart warming read with some deeper social commentary on problems that senior citizens face. I recommend it for readers who are looking for a feel good story with a slower pace and a charming protagonist.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing a digital ARC of the book to read and review.