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Review: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Grief is just love with no place to go”

"Grief is just love with no place to go" - Jamie Anderson
This quote, which I first heard Andrew Garfield beautifully share when speaking about his mother's death to Stephen Colbert, is used in the novel as we learn about Frederick and how his life has unfolded. What started as a random book selection turned into one of those reading experiences where you deliberately slow down because you don't want it to end.
The story follows 82-year-old Frederick Fife, a man who has lost everything - his wife, his home, his purpose. Without giving anything away, I'll say that an unexpected turn of events lands him in a nursing home where he discovers something he thought was gone forever: belonging. The way this author handles themes of grief, second chances, and found family is nothing short of masterful.
This book has that rare quality of feeling like a warm embrace while simultaneously breaking your heart. I found myself completely invested in Frederick's journey, and the supporting characters felt so real I missed them when I closed the book. The writing strikes the perfect balance between heartbreak and hope, never feeling manipulative or overly sentimental.
Yes, I needed tissues. Yes, I found myself laughing out loud as Frederick must wear a diaper (and soil it) and glasses that don’t belong to him in order not to be discovered. And yes, this is a book I’ll recommend, because some are too good not to share. If you're looking for a character-driven novel that will restore your faith in human connection, this is it.

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