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
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.