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
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.