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The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman, book cover
Episode 22·23 April 2025·48 min

Lynda Cohen LoigmanThe Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

The magic of historical love stories. Straight onto my rolling top ten.

About this episode

In this episode, Elena interviews Lynda Cohen Loigman about her latest book, 'The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern,' which has made it to Elena's rolling top 10 books. They discuss the novel's dual timeline, set in a 1920s Brooklyn pharmacy and a 1980s Florida retirement home, its themes of second chances and the magic of youth. Lynda reads an excerpt from the book and shares her inspiration, drawn from family stories and personal experiences. The conversation delves into the historical role of pharmacies, the impact of timing and secrets in the plot, and the power of words. Lynda also gives a glimpse into her next book, a coming-of-age story set in 1965.

Also in print I wrote up my conversation with Lynda Cohen Loigman too. Read the Q&A or browse more books and authors.

In this episode

  1. Introduction and Guest Introduction
  2. Book Overview: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
  3. Reading from Chapter One
  4. Inspiration Behind the Book
  5. Pharmacy and Historical Context
  6. Soap Opera Secrets and Storytelling
  7. Character Dynamics and Plot Twists
  8. Inspiration from O. Henry
  9. Research and Writing Process
  10. Themes in Historical Fiction
  11. The Power of Words
  12. Upcoming Projects and Recommendations