I thought about the elements of a thriller, as a genre: danger, death, uncertainty, violence, crime, corruption. Certainly all of these things are in the ether as we speak; and suspense, well, we are all undeniably suspended in some way right now.

Was virtual better than nothing or were we merely deluding ourselves?

Biking through a post-virus-apocalypse Paris was surreal. The streets were eerily empty and the Chanel and Gucci ads that had plastered the kiosks and bus stops were replaced by health advisories and public thanks to medical professionals.

If someone had seen the movie before reading the book, how could they imagine anything else? Lee’s world is the definition of Middle Earth for millions of fans. Will future generations grow up with its realms and characters conveniently preconceived?

The more the French view me as part of their country, the more I see myself as belonging here with them. With my blonde hair and daily scarves, I look the part. It’s easier to accept superficial validation such as compliments on my accent and cultural ease from the French than it is to reconcile my fading American patriotism.

Dorothy Spears (illustration by Kendra Allenby)