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Sign up todayThe Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
A Novel
Narrator
Tim Carroll
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Length
10 hours 48 minutes
Language
English
Bookseller recommendation
“What a beautiful story of forgiveness, and the affirmation of life on many levels, with many characters. Anna Johnson has written a story about real life circumstances any one of us could imagine being in. ”
— Sarah • Commonplace Books
Bookseller recommendation
“The feel-good debut of the year. This zany story will have you laughing and crying. A case of mistaken identity leads to life changing actions. A touching story about second chances, the power of forgiveness, living life to the fullest, and finding "family.”
— Karin • Bookworm of Edwards
Bookseller recommendation
“Are you feeling a little blah? Then this book is for you because Fred’s kindness, positive outlook on life, and good deeds will cheer you up! ”
— Samantha • Raven Book Store
Bookseller recommendation
“A feel-good romp through some old age mishaps, leaves the reader laughing one moment and crying the next.”
— Chip • Fable Book Parlour
Bookseller recommendation
“This is so far, my favorite book of my 2024 reading. Sweet, funny, emotional and endearing. It left me in complete tears. I recommend this book to everyone.”
— Sherry • Roaming Pages & Blooms
Bookseller recommendation
“This is such a charming book, and I loved how Fred helped everyone he met and just exuded kindness. Learning his backstory and how things can just change was relatable. If you liked "The Authenticity Project" or "A Man Called Ove," you'll enjoy this book.”
— Sara • Roundabout Books
Bookseller recommendation
“The characters in the book were so real to me I find myself thinking of them days after I finished the book. If you are in the mood for a heartwarming story, put this book on the top of your TBR list!”
— Ellen • Banter Bookshop
A zany case of mistaken identity allows a lonely old man one last chance to be part of a family in this warm, life-affirming debut novel.
“A funny, heartfelt story about found family and seeing the silver lining in life. Fans of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove and Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures will especially enjoy this new novel.”—Library Journal
“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.
Anna Johnston lives in Melbourne with her husband and daughters. The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is her first novel.
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