At a glance
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
Contemporary fiction
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
At eighty-two, widowed Frederick Fife is lonely, broke, and newly without a home when he encounters a nursing-home outing in a local park. A bizarre accident leads staff to mistake him for resident Bernard Greer, and Fred accepts the identity because it offers shelter. His instinctive kindness begins improving life inside the facility even as the deception risks hurting the caregivers and family members who come to trust him. Funny and tender, this novel suits readers who enjoy older protagonists, mistaken identities, found family, compassionate portrayals of dementia and care work, and second chances created through everyday generosity.
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Content notes
Death and bereavement; dementia/cognitive decline; elder-care issues; homelessness and financial insecurity; marital/family strain; mistaken identity and deception; grief.
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