Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. If he borrowed your car, he’d return it washed and polished, with a full tank of petrol. The problem is, he has no one left to borrow from. At 82 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 cranky Bernard Greer at Wattle River Nursing Home. Suddenly he has a roof over his head, warm meals in his belly and, most importantly, the chance to be part of a family again.
Fingers crossed his poker face is in better nick than his prostate, or the jig is up.
As Fred walks in Bernard’s shoes (and underpants), he discovers more about the man’s past – and what it would take to return a broken life to mint condition.
Bittersweet and remarkably perceptive, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife is a feel-good novel about forgiveness, redemption and finding family.
Anna Johnston is an aspiring octogenarian and emerging Australian author with a love for the heartfelt and hilarious. 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.
In The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife valuable insights into nursing village life emerge, showcasing the unsung heroes among the staff and the struggles of the residents. Johnston poignantly underscores the invisibility of the elderly, and reminds the reader of how a little kindness can enrich their lives. The setting of the nursing home rings true and authentic, a tribute to Johnston’s background in aged care.
This feel-good novel by Anna Johnston will warm your heart and have you reaching for the tissues. The passion Johnston has for aged care radiates off the page and flows into the reader allowing for a special connection between them and the characters. She has crafted a delightfully varied ensemble of amusing, imperfect and utterly relatable characters. Fred was particularly loveable with his big kind heart. It was a sheer delight to follow him on his journey of forgiveness and redemption.
Through the highs and lows of this book, I laughed and I cried, but never stopped reaching for the next page. I could not put it down and cannot wait for the next book from Johnston. Perfect for fans of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman or The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell.
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