The borrowed life of Frederick Fife : a novel / Anna Johnston.
"For readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Pilgrimage of Harold Frye, 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."-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780063397293
- ISBN: 0063397293
- ISBN: 9780063397309
- Physical Description: 327 pages ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition
- Publisher: New York, New York : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2024]
- Copyright: ©2024
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- Paperback includes discussion questions.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Widowers > Fiction.
Older men > Fiction.
Friendship > Fiction.
False personation > Fiction.
Mistaken identity > Fiction.
Nursing homes > Fiction.
Families > Fiction. - Genre:
- Domestic fiction.
Available copies
- 23 of 88 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 2 copies available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 36 current holds with 88 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show All Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sneads Ferry Branch Library | FIC JOHNSTON (Text) | 36015001915095 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
"For readers of Remarkably Bright Creatures and The Pilgrimage of Harold Frye, 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."--
