The Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife has joined my list of favorite books. It is an endearing story about Fredrick Fife, who finds himself mistaken for someone else. With nowhere to go, he decides to borrow the life and walk in Mr. Bernard’s shoes for a while. He spreads joy and happiness everywhere he goes in the care home where Bernard Greer made his home. He even reconnects with Bernard’s estranged daughter, working to earn forgiveness her late father could never receive.
I highly suggest reading this Q&A with author Anna Johnston for an inside look at the book before digging into your copy. You’ll love it, I promise!
When did you first come up with the idea for your debut novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife?
I began toying with the idea of writing a novel in 2019, during an idyllic holiday in an Enid Blyton-like cottage in Cornwall, UK, but it wasn’t until the pandemic lockdown in 2020 that the idea truly started to take shape. I’ve always been fascinated by cases of mistaken identity and the phenomenon of doppelgängers. I began exploring the idea of one man being able to redeem another man’s life, even after death, and the plot grew quickly from there.
The main character of Fred (Frederick Fife) is so endearing you can’t help but love him. Is Fred based on someone you know, or is he purely imaginary?
Fred was inspired by my gorgeous late grandfather, who was also my best friend. He was a man whose empathy truly changed the lives of those around him. When he was diagnosed with dementia, I changed careers and became the Social Support Coordinator at his nursing home so we could spend more time with each other. We loved having lunch together and belting out our favorite show tunes as I wheeled him down the hall. Despite his diagnosis, my grandfather never lost his superpower: his unconditional kindness and ability to make everyone he met feel like they mattered. Years after his passing, during a visit to the nursing home with my baby daughter, one of his former carers pulled me aside. She wanted to show me something that reminded her “to be kind to others no matter what.” Taped to the inside of her locker door was a photo of my grandfather. I couldn’t think of anything more inspiring, and this moment profoundly influenced the kind of protagonist I wanted to create. I aimed to capture my grandfather’s delightful, cheeky nature while also reflecting on the epic love story and lasting marriage shared by my beautiful grandparents, Fred and Dawn. Fred also has a dash of the language and humor of my on-screen hero, Daryl Kerrigan, from the iconic Aussie film The Castle.
How did your time working in a nursing home aid in creating the setting for the novel?
My years as the Social Support Coordinator gave me an authentic understanding of the layout, protocols, and rhythm of a nursing home–both in its daily routines and in the lives of the people who live and work there. I learned the nuances of the interactions that unfold in these spaces—the moments of tenderness, the quiet frustrations, the grief-heavy moments, and the unexpected bursts of humor. It allowed me to see beyond the stereotypes, revealing a vibrant, complex world filled with rich stories. During my years at medical school, I also worked part-time as a personal carer and later developed a cooking program for older widowed men. All of these experiences deepened my understanding of older adults and the social isolation that is prevalent in this age group, helping to further shape the foundation for the story.
Tell me about your research process for the book.
My experience in aged care provided much of the foundation needed for this novel. It was a privilege to care for residents with varying physical abilities and degrees of dementia and navigating the complexities of their relationships with each other, family members, and the staff helped me draw on real-life interactions for the narrative and equipped me with skills I passed on to my protagonist. For various procedural scenes, I interviewed a personal carer, nurse, doctor, and police officer. I also read numerous articles on doppelgängers (they’re more common than you might think!) and conducted extensive research, watching many interviews with families affected by addiction, homelessness, and cancer to ensure I portrayed these experiences with authenticity and sensitivity.
They also say to write what you know (which is a bit alarming given the number of prostate references in my book!), but one thing I do know (apart from aged care) is unconditional love and emotion. As my family and friends will tell you, I’m a major empath, but this doesn’t just stop at real people–it extends to my characters, too! I can often be found weeping or laughing at my computer over something that happens to one of them. I’m not sure if this makes for good writing or if I need to seek professional help! But without this emotional connection, I couldn’t write. My own experiences with grief, having a grandfather with dementia and a family member with cancer, gave me a deep, personal perspective, which is woven into every page. Although my grandparents’ names went to Fred and Dawn, their story was closer to that of Albert and Val, shaping parts of their narrative and interactions. They say people often marry someone like their father, but for me, it skipped a generation, and I married Josh–my very own Fred. So, while I needed to research many things, the feeling of being cherished was never one of them.
What is your favorite scene from the book?
It’s a tie between the wedding and the funeral. I still cry over both!
If the book was turned into a feature film, who do you imagine in the lead roles?
I LOVE this question because film adaptation has been the ultimate goal from the start! Some so many wonderful actors could bring these characters to life. As a positive aging advocate, I see Fred as a great opportunity to showcase an acting legend in his eighties who is not valorized because he can ride a motorbike or still have a big night out but whose quiet heroism comes from within.
If we’re casting Hollywood-style, I’d have to say Harrison Ford for the lead! He’s the same age as Fred and bears quite a resemblance to my grandfather. Plus, he was Pa’s favorite actor—we used to cuddle up on the couch and watch Indiana Jones together. After seeing Ed Begley Jr. as Rudy in Bless This Mess, I can’t think of a better fit for the delightful Albert! Sally Field would be perfect for Val, and Jessica Gunning for Denise. I still need to think about who could play Hannah!
If it were set in Australia, I’d always pictured the legendary Michael Caton (who played Daryl Kerrigan in The Castle) as Fred.
Are you currently working on your second novel, and if so, can we get a sneak peek?
I am–it’s set to be published next year in Australia and early 2026 in the US! Set in Melbourne, it tells the story of Griff and Lisa.
Griff is a retired Michelin-star chef living in a nursing home, grumpy, widowed, depressed, and determined to depart this earth. Unwilling to let the flavorless mush served at the home be the last thing he tastes, he breaks into the nursing home kitchen to cook himself a final meal, sparking a long-forgotten joy and a most unexpected chain of events.
Meanwhile, single and middle-aged Lisa is struggling to stay afloat, weighed down by a growing sense of shame. Her stepbrother, affectionately known as “Ratbag,” has recently been diagnosed with dementia and moved into a nursing home. During her weekly visits, Lisa develops feelings for an older man, but their relationship is strained as her own health deteriorates—and the one person who might hold the key to her survival is unable to help.
As their stories converge, the heat is turned up while Lisa fights to hold onto life, and Griff seeks a reason to embrace it. It’s a book about the power of food, purpose, visibility, and human connection.
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