The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
International Supplier
This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
"A funny, heartfelt story about found family and seeing the silver lining in life. Fans of A Man Called Ove and Remarkably Bright Creatures will especially enjoy this new novel." -- Library Journal
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.
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, at age eighty-two, there's nobody left in Fred's life to borrow from, and he's broke and on the brink of eviction.
But Fred's luck changes when he's mistaken for Bernard Greer, a missing resident at the local nursing home, and takes his place. Now Fred has warm meals in his belly and a roof over his headβas long as his look-alike Bernard never turns up.
Denise Simms is stuck breathing the same disappointing air again and again. A middle-aged mum 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 betray her again.
As Fred walks in Bernard's shoes and learns about his past, Denise uncovers clues that threaten to reveal his identity. Will she expose the truth before Fred can 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 forgiveness, redemption, second chances and finding family.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780063397309
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 September 2025
Country: United States
Imprint: Collins
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 19.0mm
Width: 135.0mm
Height: 203.0mm
Weight: 249g
Pages: 336
Collections
About the Author
Anna Johnston lives by the beach in Melbourne with her husband and daughters. She left medical school to develop an award-winning cooking program for older widowed men before following her heart into her grandfather's nursing home, where she worked as the activities coordinator. She is the author of the international bestseller The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.
Also by Anna Johnston
View allMore from General Fiction
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
