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Title:
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Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, The |
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Authors:
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Johnston, Anna |
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Genre:
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Fiction |
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Pages:
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354 |
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Year:
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2024 |
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Publisher:
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Penguin Random House |
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Language:
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English |
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Description:
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One minute 82-year-old Fred is facing homelessness, the next minute he is residing at Wattle River Nursing Home, and answering to the name of Bernard. It may be a serendipitous case of mistaken identity, but it's a good deal all round - Fred is the epitome of kindness and Bernard had been a curmudgeon. Now with a roof over his head, regular meals and company, Fred sets about mending his own life and finding out all about Bernard's. Poignant, uplifting and a reminder that life can surprise us in unexpected ways, this is a delightful story, testimony to the healing power of connection and guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
Comments from BDS Reviewers:"The book includes much that would delight an elderly person, and educate those who have not yet reached that stage of life".
"An absolute gem! An easy read, but full of suspense, laughter, sorrow - and touching on many important issues".
"You might think this is just a lightweight book of fiction, but it is certainly an engaging one".
"One of those books that manages to be both laugh-out loud funny and also moving. A story with warmth, wit and unexpected moments of poignancy. I found myself chuckling at Frederick's misadventures one moment and tearing up the next".
"The author weaves humour and heart into a story that reminds us of the power of human connection and the healing power of community".
"This is a delightful story even given the fact that the scenarios are less than likely".
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Categories:
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Fiction, Contemporary, Grief/loss, Humour, Relationships, Social commentary/perspectives, Uplifting, Australia, Popular Fiction, Just Added, 2026 Titles |
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Reviews
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By: LOWER 024
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2026-05-25 20:51:09 |
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We were all taken in by the deliberate confusion of storylines at the beginning of the book. It gave a good insight into life for residents of rest homes. The aspect of how precious the keepsakes of a loved one are resonated with us. Our scores ranged from 2 to 4; some enjoyed it a lot while the cynical ones in our group liked it less. |
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By: HAST 007
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2026-04-23 12:05:13 |
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Loved by all. |
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By: AUCK 465
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2025-12-05 14:20:56 |
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An interesting, enjoyable and thought-provoking read. While our group found the characters engaging and amusing, the story behind it of disability (early dementia) and failure of care-givers to listen, and instead dismiss, rather concerning. Highly recommend. |
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By: WELL 242
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2025-11-20 09:45:03 |
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A rather lightweight read. Pleasant story but rather far fetched. Easy reading. Convenient ending. |
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By: TAUR 010
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2025-11-17 11:44:26 |
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A light and enjoyable read. |
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