THE LEMONCHOLY LIFE OF ANNIE ASTER

Scott Wilbanks graduated summa cum laude from The University of Oklahoma and went on to garner several national titles in the sport of gymnastics. Scott's husband, Mike, is a New Zealander by birth, and the two split their time between the two countries while Scott is at work on his next standalone novel.

“Quick-witted prose and filled with soul, The Lemoncholy Life of Annie Aster will have you thinking, smiling, and wondering if you can find your own magic door.” —Michelle Gable, international bestselling author of A Paris Apartment

“An endearing, magical romp, this tale of a charming cadre of misfits, has everything.” —Rhonda Riley, author of The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope

“Scott Wilbanks has written a unique, one of a kind story that captured my heart… Highly recommended.” — Historical Novel Review

“Slyly mysterious, cleverly imaginative, wistfully romantic, and truly unforgettable.” —National bestselling author Sophie Littlefield

If you had Annie’s time portal, when and where would you go?

Who is your favorite character in the novel? Why?

Imagery adds depth to the written word in literature. There are several repeated images in the book, one of which is that of a crow. Did you notice any other significant images? What might they mean?

Roses, particularly, have been a bonanza for symbologists throughout history. What do roses represent to you? What do you think these roses that appear behind Annie’s house represent?

Déjà vu is defined as the illusion of having previously experienced something. Christian fears that he may have met Edmond before but doesn’t remember. In the end, did he experience déjà vu, or was it more complicated than that?

As a society we are undeniably judgmental about drug abuse. Did your impression of Edmund change when you became aware that he struggled with drug addiction? Why or why not?

The novel is, at its heart, a novel about five misfits — Annie, Elsbeth, Cap’n, Christian, Edmond — that explores the concept of marginalization through their experience. What do you think were the qualities or circumstances that led to each of the protagonists’ marginalization?

Edmund says, “It’s not sin, what’s inside of you. I promise you, it’s not.” His comment addresses one of today’s hot-button topics —homosexuality as a sin. Is it? Do you think homosexuality is a choice?

Does our concept of what constitutes sin evolve over time as we gain better understanding of the forces behind it?

In the novel, the author toys with the concept of fate as a physical force of the universe, not unlike gravity. Just to make things complicated (he loves complications), he stirred in two other powerful forces —love and time —binding the three together. Which of these three forces —love, time, or fate—played the greatest role in uniting Annie and El? Which of these forces played the greatest role in uniting our other protagonists?

Courage and sacrifice often go hand in hand. Annie begs Christian to find his courage and be true to himself, and he does, but he has to sacrifice everything he was taught to do so. What other acts of courage did you find in the book, and sacrifices did they require?