49 pages • 1-hour read
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife: A Novel
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Club Questions
General Impressions
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death, substance use, and addiction.
Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.
1. Did you enjoy the novel? If so, what aspects of the novel made it enjoyable? If not, what did you find off-putting?
2. Did you find the mix-up between Bernard and Fred plausible? If so, why? If not, did this detract from your experience reading the novel?
Personal Reflection and Connection
Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.
1. Which character did you most identify with, and why?
2. How did the book shape or change your understanding of what it is like to be an elderly person in modern society?
3. Choose one or two specific dilemmas that Fred faced when masquerading as Bernard. Would you have handled them similarly? Why or why not?
4. What does the novel suggest about what makes a strong parent-child relationship? What advice on parenting would you give to Fred as he embarks on his new role as a stand-in father and grandfather?
Societal and Cultural Context
Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.
1. What case does the novel make for the value of the elderly in society? How do views of the elderly and their role(s) differ from culture to culture?
2. Consider the novel’s depiction of various forms of addiction (to alcohol, gambling, etc.). What does it suggest about the causes of addiction? Does it handle the topic in a way that is sensitive and/or realistic?
3. What roles do money and financial security/insecurity play in the novel’s plot and character development? What perspectives does the novel offer on contemporary issues of socioeconomic inequality?
Literary Analysis
Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.
1. Though he does not appear directly in the text, Denise’s husband, Greg, impacts her in significant ways. What parallels exist between Greg and Bernard? What function do these parallels serve?
2. When and how does Johnston use humor in the novel? How does humor impact the overall tone of the novel, and does it support or undercut the major themes?
3. What does the novel suggest about the role of tragedy in life? Which characters are models for how to cope effectively with tragedy and trauma? How can you tell that their stories represent positive examples?
4. Consider other contemporary novels presented from the point of view of an elderly protagonist (examples include The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin). What factors impacting those nearing the end of life make them effective protagonists?
Creative Engagement
Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.
1. If you could trade lives with someone in the book, whom would you choose, and why?
2. Imagine a sequel told from the perspective of Hannah’s daughter, Dawn. What kinds of experiences will she have with her grandfather? How will Hannah explain Fred’s true identity to her? What should Hannah reveal to her about Bernard?
3. In the Author’s Note, Anna Johnston explains how the novel evolved from her personal experience at the nursing home where her grandfather was a resident. Consider parts of your life that you might draw on in a similar way: What scenarios or experiences might you use as the basis for fiction and why?
Unlock all 49 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs