Printable Book Club Questions for The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

The story is told in two timelines: 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida. What are your thoughts about the dual timeline story? Why was it the right fit for this novel?
When we meet Augusta as she’s about turn 80, we learned that she had no desire to retire from pharmacy work and even lied to keep working. Why do you feel Augusta didn’t want to retire?
But eventually Augusta does retire and relocated to Southern Florida to a retirement center. And in Florida, she is shocked to run into Irving. What did you think about their reunion?
There’s lots of details of 1920s Brooklyn, including the pharmacy store Augusta’s father owns. Were there any memorable descriptions of that era that stuck out to you? Did you learn anything new about that time period?
Augusta’s Great Aunt Esther moves in after Augusta’s mother dies. And she brings her unconventional remedies to the neighborhood. When it shows the remedies can work, Augusta comes intrigued by it as well as the pharmacy side of healing. Let’s discuss why Augusta was so engaged with working to heal people in need.
Why do you think Aunt Esther and Augusta’s father disagreed over each other’s methods? What could they have learned from each other if they worked together?
What was your impression of Augusta and Irving’s love story during the ’20s?
There’s an interesting mafia angle with the Diamond family, especially Mrs. Diamond. How did that help create conflict in the story?
Should Irving had been more forthcoming to Augusta about Mrs. Diamond’s blackmail methods or do you understand why he didn’t tell her the truth?
Why did Augusta try the love elixir on Irving?
Augusta never married or had children. Do you think she was ever able to move on from Irving?
Let’s talk about the big reveals at the end during Augusta’s birthday dinner, including the fact Irving never took the love elixir.
What are your thoughts about the ending, especially Augusta and Irving rekindling their romance?
There’s many themes in the novel including second chances, lost love, family loyalty and more. Which theme most stuck out to you?