Lynda Cohen Loigman graduated from Harvard College and Columbia Law School. Her debut novel, The Two-Family House, was a USA Today bestseller and a nominee for the Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards in Historical Fiction. Her second novel, The Wartime Sisters, was selected as a Woman's World Book Club pick and a Best Book of 2019 by Real Simple Magazine.
Her most recent book, The Matchmaker’s Gift, was named a Best New Book by People Magazine and a Best Book of Fall by the New York Post, Parade Magazine, Buzzfeed, and GoodMorningAmerica.com. The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern is her fourth novel.
―Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
Write down all of your story ideas in one place! I have them everywhere—in my phone, on scraps of paper, stuck in drawers. It’s a terrible habit I can’t seem to break and I wish I had started out in a more organized way!
How much research did you have to do in order to write The Love Elixir...?
The research for this book spanned many different topics. In order to understand the role of a neighborhood pharmacist, I started with the book Corner Druggist written by Robert B. Nixon, Jr. in 1941 about his father’s career. I read several other personal accounts of druggists working in this role from the early 1900’s to the 1950’s. I also spoke with several working pharmacists, including the father of my local pharmacist, who was born in 1937 and worked at a drugstore in Brooklyn as a teenager. I also read early editions of American Druggist magazine to learn about all of the products Stern’s Pharmacy might have carried on its shelves.
To amplify the details of living in Brownsville, I read several books about the neighborhood in the 1920’s and beyond. I also read about Jewish gangsters during Prohibition. I found a 1922 article from Saturday Evening Post called “Inside the Bootleg,” which was helpful in understanding how a bootlegger might start his or her business.
Finally, in order to bring Esther’s role as a healer to life, I did a great deal of research on Jewish mysticism, folklore, and herbalism.
Which authors have inspired you?
Edith Wharton brings emotional depth to her characters in the most astounding way. I love everything that Alice Hoffman writes. Recently, I have found Gabrielle Zevin and Leigh Bardugo to be great sources of inspiration as well. I loved both of their new books.
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I saw Wicked Little Letters at my local theater, and it was terrific! Highly recommend!
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
I would take you to my two local bookstores—Scattered Books in Chappaqua and the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville. Then I’d probably take you for omelets at Le Jardin du Roi (a little café we all usually just call “The French Place”) and we’d eat outside if the weather was nice. Of course, you’d also meet my dog, Winston.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
This is such a great question. Maybe Kristin Wiig. At least then it would be funny!
Thanks to Lynda for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.
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CVS
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ReplyDeleteI use a family-run community pharmacy.
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ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! A local one.
ReplyDeleteThe one in the grocery store - two birds....
ReplyDeleteI mostly use CVS pharmacy, but I do like Walgreens too.
ReplyDeleteMy local chemist.
ReplyDeleteMy Go To Pharmacy is Walmart. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
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ReplyDeleteI use my local pharmacy as it provides a great service. It's always very busy but the employees never fail to be friendly, helpful and efficient.
ReplyDeleteI am forced by my insurance company to go to Walgreens.
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