Oh my goodness, this book. It's not often a book brings me to tears, but this one did over and over again, both happy tears and sad. This unique storyline caught my attention right away, as our lovable and lonely main character Fred, gets quickly mistaken as "Bernard" and swept up into a life that isn't his own. As the story continues, so many likable and relatable characters are introduced, and the connections were both unexpected and interesting.

This book was equally heartwarming and heartbreaking, though on a couple occasions it almost made me too sad. That being said, this is a story that will stay with me for a while, and one that is not to be missed. It's a lovable and vulnerable reminder of what is most important in all our lives.

We feel for Frederick Fife, age 82, a widower without income or savings who is about to be thrown out of his apartment for arrears in rent payment. He meets a group of seniors on a walk at the park, finds that one of them, wheelchair bound Bernard, has died on that walk. By a series of mishaps, Fred is mistaken for Bernard and taken to the home with the others. Fred's insistence that he is not Bernard and doesn't belong with them is ignored as delusion as the carers know that Bernard has dementia.

Fred is a sympathetic character even though he is resigned to being Bernard and relieved to being taken care of in the senior home. How the whole situation is played out is the theme of the novel. I found the plot unusual and clever as well as humorous at times. An enjoyable read overall about senior citizens, dementia, nursing homes, and family.
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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife👓REVIEW

📖Goodreads Rating: 4.50
📚Genre: Fiction
📄No. of Pages: 336
🗓️Publishing Date: September 10, 2024

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Fans of A Man Called Ove and The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot - this is your next read! Based on her relationship with her grandfather and her own experience working in a nursing home, the author of this heartwarming debut novel draws you in from very start. I found it to be well-paced (though slowed for me a bit in the last 25%) and enjoyed the well-executed balance between heavier subject matter and lighthearted humor. I’m a sucker for multiple POVs with well-developed, complex characters and was pleased to find that in this one! I especially loved the way the author slowly revealed the way the characters’ lives were intertwined. The MC, Frederick Fife, is a delight and so easy to root for; he should truly be the gold standard for us all as we age! To face significant hardships and overwhelming grief, and yet still life a life filled with gratitude as well as unconditional kindness and compassion for others - what a guy. If you enjoy themes of found family, second chances, and the redemptive power of community/human connection - you’ll love this charmingly quirky read!

A special thank you to @netgalley, @williammorrowbooks, and especially to @annajohnstonauthor for the honor of reading this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest, thoughtful review 🤍

Cute sweet story about life in a retirement home. Lots of stories going on within the home. Fred has a very interesting and unexpected life waiting for him. I received an early print from NetGalley. I felt it could use some more editing. Some parts were too repetitive.

I LOVED THIS BOOK! The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a story of redemption and kindness and love. The writing is top notch with so much humor and joy and tenderness. I slowed down while reading because I wanted to stay in this world with these characters who were complex and inspiring. This is the book I'm buying everyone for holiday gifts this year - everyone will love - 100%. Thanks to the publisher for gifting me a copy. I'm so grateful.

I received an electronic ARC from William Morrow through NetGalley.
Readers meet Frederick Fife at one of the lowest points of his life. At 82, he has been evicted and truly has nowhere to go. Through serendipitous circumstances, his life completely changes as he is mistaken for someone else. He settles in to adopt someone else's life at the nursing home as no one believes the real story. Fred's kind and encouraging acts becomes bonds for residents, family and staff. Of course, the truth comes out and life looks dire again for Fred but he does find a second family and the story finishes strong. Johnston uses a light touch while challenging readers to look at heavier issues. I appreciate the sweet overtones even when addressing dementia, alcoholism, elder care, etc. Readers will come away with a light hearts but also with much to think about.

Frederick Fife is in the twilight years of his life, lonely and houseless. His beloved wife died, and he wasn't able to keep up with the house payments. On the first day of no secure shelter for the night, Frederick has an interaction with a fellow octogenarian that results in a crazy case of mistaken identity. When nighttime falls, instead of wondering where he will bed down for the night, Frederick finds himself in the room of Bernard Greer at the local home for the elderly. Frederick tried clearing up the mistake but everyone just thought he was speaking out of the dementia that Bernard has. Giving up for a full night of sleep and a full belly of food, Frederick determines to right the problem the next day. But then the next day leads to the next day, which leads to the next, and before Frederick knows it, he's living Bernard's life - but better than Bernard ever did, which is why everyone who lives and works at the home is slightly baffled but pleasantly surprised by the new and improved Bernard that came home from the outing. The longer Frederick is getting medical care, sleep, and consistent meals and the more he learns about Bernard, the harder it is for him to come clean and right the mistaken identity. And in the end, it may be that nobody wants to know what happened to Bernard and who has taken his place.

This is an absolute delight of a story from the first word to the last. Frederick Fife is a lovely man, a beautiful soul, and a ray of sunshine. Anyone lucky enough to enter his orbit will walk away inspired and encouraged. Johnston's execution of mistaken identity was clever and very funny. The side stories Johnston included to round out the story as a whole really gave depth to both the characters and the overall tale. There were so many endearing characters in this story, in addition to Frederick, that I found myself wishing they were real and I could go visit these lively elderly folks. Highly recommend for the moment you need your faith in humanity restored and need a hug for your heart.

Frederick Fife is down on his luck when a case of mistaken identity lands him in the life he dreamed about. Good food, friends, and a warm place to live are all his if he can only keep up the charade of being someone else. This humorous story of growing old and chosen family will appeal to fans of second act stories.

Let me start off by saying this book exceeded my expectations!
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is about second chances and realizing the bigger picture. The story line was amazing and filled with so many topics, including grief, loneliness, and homelessness.

The only complaint I have about the book is that the writing felt a bit childish from time to time.
Other than that, a 3/5 and a recommendation from me! ✨

Thanks to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

“Until he was widowed, Fred never realized how much he’d taken physical touch for granted—yet it meant so much. How many millions of other people were going without hugs?”

If you have been reading my reviews, you know that I don’t like books that are whimsy and “feel good” in an over-the-top cringey way. I was concerned that this book would not be for me, but it was lovely and feel-good in the best way! No cringe, no cheesy coincidences, or obvious plot points here.

The bottom line is — everyone needs some Fred in their lives. The book is about Frederick Fife - an elderly man who is alone in the world, nearly penniless and about to be evicted from his apartment. He really has no one and nothing to live for. On a walk at a park, he sees an elderly man in a wheelchair who has passed away. Fred tries to help him, but the wheelchair topples and the man’s body gets pulled into the river and washed away.

The man’s carers find Fred and think that he is Bernard as the tow men have an uncanny likeness. Fred tries to tell them the truth, but they think Bernard’s dementia is talking and whisk Fred away to Bernard’s nursing home where the adventures begin.

I’m calling it that Fred will be the Marcellus of 2024. (See Remarkably Bright Things!)

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own

4.5 🌟

I dare you to read this book and not fall in love with Frederic. ❤️

Seriously, this book is everything I love in a book. Fred is such a lovable character - I've never wanted a happy ending for a character so bad (🤐 if he actually gets it). The supporting characters around him are all lovable and this book will have you both laughing and crying.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

3.5 stars rounded up. An interesting story of a lonely man on the verge of being homeless. Frederick’s luck changes as he is mistaken for someone who has just died. As for what happens next, you have to be prepared to put reality aside. What happens could not possibly happen in real life. However, if you think of it in the same vein as a story such as “It’s a Wonderful Life”, you might be in the right mindset for it. Frederick is a lovable elderly gentleman (perhaps you can excuse a good amount of flatulence talk which occurs more often in the beginning!). I was happy for Frederick getting another shot at a having a good life and receiving some of what he had lost over the years. However, something that bothered me was the very loving relationship he had with a certain person (I don’t want to go too far into it and reveal any spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that). I was a little unsettled by the wording around the relationship. Other relationships were very beautiful, such as the one he had with Albert. It seems as though many people were as blessed having Frederick come into their lives as he was having them in his life. If I could just get past that one relationship (not the fact that it existed, just the wording around it), I would have loved this book. It reminds me of the type of story with quirky characters in Fredrik Backman books, which I’m a fan of.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This is my favorite book of 2024 so far!!!! The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is the feel good book I have been craving this year.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

What a charming and wonderful story! I really enjoyed reading. Fred Fife's takes a unexpected turn when he is mistaken for another man who is the same age and looks just like him. Fred was on the verge of being evicted from his home and ends up in the Wattle River nursing home when he is mistaken for Bernard. He tries to say he is NOT Bernard at first but he is not believed. So he borrows Bernard's identity.He now has a place to stay food to eat. He is a very kind man who starts to make friends with the staff and residents. A couple people wonder why Bernard's personality is different, Bernard had the beginning of dementia that Fred does not have so one staffer wonders how this is reversed. For months Fred continues to live as Bernard but brings friendship and happiness to the residents. The POV is seen mostly from Fred. but also a character named Hannah who does tie in to plotline. A very well done "feel good" book. I found myself rooting for the wonderful Fred wishing a "happy ending" for him. I would give this book a 4.5.
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4 stars

This is a very charming feel-good read that is sure to warm even the coldest little hearts.

The titular Frederick Fife is a remarkably loveable character, and while readers must suspend disbelief regarding the main premise and the long-term confusion between Frederick and Bernard (the man whose identity Frederick assumes), this is relatively easy to do since it's impossible NOT to root for this fellow. While the timing is exactly right and utterly fortuitous at the start of the novel, so much of what happens throughout has to do with playing the long game: that folks sometimes get what they need/deserve with so much patience.

Though elements of this novel are deeply moving, there's a consistent sense of levity to balance this. These characters are not two dimensional, and they do not lead charmed lives. They all struggle in their own ways, and most encounter deep losses. That noted, since we can't all borrow lives, the messaging is clear: that we must make the best of the time and the relationships we do have when we have them.

This isn't the typical read I'd go for, but I'm so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this lovely palate cleanser. Readers who can willingly accept the somewhat absurd premise and constant happenstances will also enjoy this gem of a debut.

Easily one of my favorites reads of the year! THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE is deeply profound and emotional story about forgiveness and found family told in such a sweet and heartfelt way. 82-year-old Fred lives in a small apartment he can no longer afford after paying for his late wife's medical bills years ago and feels homeless without his wife at his side. Due to crazy circumstance, he finds himself in a rather peculiar situation, being mistaken for 83-year-old Bernard who lives in a nursing home. No one believes Fred, when he tells the nursing home staff that he is not Bernard, and just assume it's Bernard's dementia talking. Between the staff and other residents he's enjoyed the companionship of, does Fred keep trying to tell the truth but risk the home he's found and felt for the first time in years? Being miserable and lonely, he has the chance to say good bye to his own life and live someone's else's, allowing to even right Bernard's wrongs including healing a relationship he's not apart of that ends up healing Fred in return. Fred Fife is the sweetest, most wholesome identity-stealing criminal out there. The writing is so endearing, funny and entertaining to read and absolutely adored the plot and characters. A beautifully moving book that overfilled my heart with so much love.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a sweet (sometimes bittersweet) tale that kept me hooked as I tried to predict how Fred would resolve his dilemma. A case of mistaken identity combines with loneliness and good intentions to lead to second chances for these warm, likable characters. Surprise reveals, and a satisfying, lovely ending add to the charm of this poignant story about family, aging, loss, and forgiveness.

I finished this book a few days ago. I read it in one day! I was lucky to have the time and wanted to find out what the ending would be, so I pressed on until its conclusion. I feel so blessed to have discovered this wonderful book! I have already recommended it to several fellow reader friends.

I am attracted to books with the older population as central characters. When I saw that the main character, Frederick Fife was 82 I knew this was a book I would enjoy. As I began reading, my excitement for a lovely tale increased, as I discovered the story was taking place in a care home for the elderly! Oh Joy! I could not wait to enter this journey!

I was not at all disappointed in my anticipation. I immediately fell in love with Frederick and my heart broke when learning of his situation. Then I found myself laughing out loud over and over again (which I don’t do often enough). As the story unfolded, I also found myself in tears. That is a sign of an excellent author, when they can draw out so much emotion from a reader.

I love this book so much! I wish I had better writing skills to convince all to read it. I think everyone could benefit from knowing Frederick Fife. I have been fortunate to have several older friends as I pass through my life, and I see many of their wonderful traits in Fred. He has warmed my heart in helping me remember how very blessed I have been, and am.

This is the first book I read by Anna Johnston and look forward to reading many more of her creations.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for giving me the pleasure of reading this amazing book. I will be telling all my reader friends to grab this book and begin reading it at once.

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, by Anna Johnston, from William Morrow/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Sweet, heartwarming, amusing—very much along the lines of a Fredrik Backman book.

Description
For readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, 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.

Fred’s luck changes when, in a bizarre case of mistaken identity, he takes the place of Bernard Greer at the local nursing home. Now he has a roof over his head, three meals a day, and, most importantly, the chance to be part of a family again. All he has to do is hope that his poker face is in better shape than his prostate and that his look-alike never turns up.

As Fred navigates life in Bernard’s shoes, he learns about the man’s past and what it might take to return a life in better condition than he found it.

Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a feel-good, clever novel about grief, forgiveness, redemption, and finding family, from an exciting new voice in fiction.

The synopsis of this book really appealed to me. Initially, I found the story to be incredibly sad and heartbreaking, but by the end I’d describe it as quite heartwarming and life-affirming. I think this book will generate some good discussion at book clubs. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..