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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

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The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

Author
Anna Johnston
Narrator
Tim Carroll
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Publish Date
18 June 2026
Run Time
10 hours 52 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Age groups: the elderly / old age, Humorous fiction, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Family saga / generational saga fiction, Narrative theme: love / relationships, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

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What to expect

Frederick Fife has borrowed someone else’s life – but it might just save his own… A funny, tender and uplifting story about second chances, human connection and the families we find along the way – perfect for fans of Theo of Golden

“What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!” – Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things

The feel-good runaway bestseller about forgiveness, redemption, and finding family.

Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. At eighty-two, broke and facing eviction, his luck changes when a case of mistaken identity lands him in a local nursing home, with warm meals and a roof over his head.

Caregiver Denise Simms is suffocating under a crumbling marriage and family worries. As Fred settles into his borrowed life, his trail of kindness fuels her suspicions, because nothing about this charming new resident adds up.

As secrets are revealed and purpose rediscovered, can Fred find the thing he never dared hope for: one last chance to be part of a family?

“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

“Life-affirming and hilarious tale of mistaken identity, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife insists that it’s never too late for a second chance.” – Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays

READERS LOVE THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE!

‘I laughed, I cried, and I loved it all … If you enjoyed A Man Called Otto you will love this story’ *****

‘It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and hope in my heart … Everyone needs a Fred in their life’ *****

‘Beautiful story of love and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry. Similar traits to the book Theo of Golden. Highly recommend!’ *****

‘From the start this book seemed special and it proved to be throughout … I truly fell in love with Fred’ *****

‘Such a beautiful story about redemption and the power of kindness and love’ *****

Critics Review

  • “What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!” – Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
  • “This is the warm hug of a novel we all need in our lives.” – Richard Roper, author of Something to Live For
  • “This is a sweet, touching life-swap adventure you won’t want to miss.” – Phaedra Patrick, bestselling author of The Messy Lives of Book People
  • “Life-affirming and hilarious tale of mistaken identity, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife insists that it’s never too late for a second chance.” – Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays
See more reviews
  • “A sweet story of mistaken identity and second chances…. Johnston places the painful realities of grief and aging alongside Fred’s puckish antics and lands a convincingly hopeful ending. The result is a triumphant last act story.” – Publishers Weekly
  • "This touching narrative explores themes of community, family, and the redemptive power of new beginnings.” – Booklist (starred review)
  • “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
  • READERS LOVE THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE!
  • ‘I laughed, I cried, and I loved it all … If you enjoyed A Man Called Otto you will love this story’ *****
  • ‘It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and hope in my heart … Everyone needs a Fred in their life’ *****
  • ‘Beautiful story of love and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry. Similar traits to the book Theo of Golden. Highly recommend!’ *****
  • ‘From the start this book seemed special and it proved to be throughout … I truly fell in love with Fred’ *****
  • ‘Such a beautiful story about redemption and the power of kindness and love’ *****

User Reviews

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Details
Author
Anna Johnston
Narrator
Tim Carroll
Duration
10 hours 52 minutes
Release Date
18 June 2026
ISBN
9780008848675
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Genre
Age groups: the elderly / old age, Humorous fiction, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Family life fiction / Stories about family, Family saga / generational saga fiction, Narrative theme: love / relationships, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general

Synopsis

Frederick Fife has borrowed someone else’s life – but it might just save his own… A funny, tender and uplifting story about second chances, human connection and the families we find along the way – perfect for fans of Theo of Golden “What a glorious story, I absolutely loved it!” – Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things The feel-good runaway bestseller about forgiveness, redemption, and finding family. Frederick Fife was born with an extra helping of kindness in his heart. At eighty-two, broke and facing eviction, his luck changes when a case of mistaken identity lands him in a local nursing home, with warm meals and a roof over his head. Caregiver Denise Simms is suffocating under a crumbling marriage and family worries. As Fred settles into his borrowed life, his trail of kindness fuels her suspicions, because nothing about this charming new resident adds up. As secrets are revealed and purpose rediscovered, can Fred find the thing he never dared hope for: one last chance to be part of a family? “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 “Life-affirming and hilarious tale of mistaken identity, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife insists that it’s never too late for a second chance.” – Amy Meyerson, bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays READERS LOVE THE BORROWED LIFE OF FREDERICK FIFE! ‘I laughed, I cried, and I loved it all … If you enjoyed A Man Called Otto you will love this story’ ***** ‘It left me with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, and hope in my heart … Everyone needs a Fred in their life’ ***** ‘Beautiful story of love and forgiveness. It will make you laugh and cry. Similar traits to the book Theo of Golden. Highly recommend!’ ***** ‘From the start this book seemed special and it proved to be throughout … I truly fell in love with Fred’ ***** ‘Such a beautiful story about redemption and the power of kindness and love’ *****

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