Saskatoon doctor writes book on fictional world dealing with COVID-19 in the future
A Saskatoon family physician used his downtime during the pandemic to write a futuristic novel that surrounds a world still struggling with COVID-19 50 years from now.
Dr. Johnathan Tomas at Lakeside Medical Clinic says being an author was never on his bucket list, but is proud to have released his first book "The F.L.I.G.H.T. Network."
"I structured a book about 50 years from now what my future grandson would be dealing with if he grew up with a world that still struggled with COVID and its variants and how he navigates society," Tomas told CTV News.
Tomas says the book includes other themes from 2020 including medicine, mental health, police brutality and religion.
The book took Tomas four months to write and was self-published on Sept. 26.
"I think I got a really good story and so far from those that have picked it up, I've heard really great reviews and some even requesting a sequel," Tomas said.
Tomas says he kept the book a secret until it was completed but showed the rough drafts to colleagues for their opinions.
Tomas' executive assistant Caryn Madsen says she was full of excitement for the book because he was coming into the office with different ideas and she even got to read some chapters before its release.
"Once the book was done, it was just joy from everyone because everyone started buying online and everyone started talking about it so it was exciting," Madsen said.
Madsen adds the book is relevant for people to read as the pandemic is still ongoing, but hopes it doesn't continue as long as in the book.
"I think I was one of the first ones to get the hardcover and it was so nice and I brought it in and I had him sign it so I'm definitely proud"
People can purchase "The F.L.I.G.H.T. Network" on Amazon and McNally Robinson and Indigo in Saskatoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CBSA allowing one-time exemption for travellers who forget to use ArriveCAN at land border
The Canadian Border Services Agency is temporarily allowing fully vaccinated travellers a one-time exemption to not be penalized if they were unaware of the health documents required through ArriveCan.

Author Salman Rushdie on ventilator after stabbing, may lose an eye
Salman Rushdie remained hospitalized Saturday after suffering serious injuries in a stabbing attack, which was met with shock and outrage from much of the world, along with tributes and praise for the award-winning author who for more than 30 years has faced death threats for his novel 'The Satanic Verses.'
More than 10,000 Canadians received a medically-assisted death in 2021: report
More Canadians are ending their lives with a medically-assisted death, says the third federal annual report on medical assistance in dying (MAID). Data shows that 10,064 people died in 2021 with medical aid, an increase of 32 per cent over 2020.
Canadian Blood Services in talks around paid donations of plasma as supply dwindles
Canadian Blood Services says it is in talks with companies that pay donors for plasma as it faces a decrease in collections.
LAPD ends investigation into Anne Heche car crash
The Los Angeles Police Department has ended its investigation into Anne Heche's car accident, when the actor crashed into a Los Angeles home on Aug. 5.
Who is novelist Salman Rushdie and why has he faced death threats?
After facing years of controversy over his book, famed novelist Salman Rushie remains hospitalized after a stabbing attack left him with serious injuries. CTVNews.ca has a look at his life and why his work has prompted years of death threats.
FBI seized 'top secret' documents from Trump home
The FBI recovered documents that were labelled 'top secret' from former U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to court papers released Friday after a federal judge unsealed the warrant that authorized the unprecedented search this week.
About 14 per cent of Ontario hospitals reporting less than a week supply of epidural catheters: Ontario Health
Approximately 14 per cent of hospitals in Ontario are reporting they have less than a week’s worth of epidural catheters in stock, according to an Ontario Health memo sent to hospital chief executive officers on Friday.
N.W.T. RCMP deploy controversial roadside cannabis screening devices
RCMP in the Northwest Territories have begun using roadside cannabis-screening technology that has faced criticism from defence lawyers elsewhere in Canada.