The 7.12.20 Issue

A look at the magazine's fiction issue — inspired by a 14th century book.

The magazine’s fiction issue was inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s book of tales, written as the plague swept Florence in the 14th century.

By Rivka Galchen

New fiction: “Early April and already winter was a memory in Karachi.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Kamila Shamsie

New fiction: “Broussard was left alone, lying unconscious on the stage, blood pouring from his forehead.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Leila Slimani

New fiction: “No complications, that was how Chrissy thought of clients like them. Yet they all came with some complications.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Yiyun Li

New fiction: “At night, I’d stare at my wife’s back in the dim light of the bedroom, and I’d see a ridge too high to climb.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Paolo Giordano

New fiction: “Jerry and great-aunt had always agreed on one essential truth, that everything around them needed to crumble.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Rivers Solomon

New fiction: “He didn’t like to talk about his brother much in those days. Between them lay a gentle hatred.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Esi Edugyan

New fiction: “Dogs, big or small, mongrel or pedigree, had the run of the town.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By John Wray

New fiction: “Two people in what looked like spacesuits had wheeled him inside.” From the magazine’s Decameron Project.

By Edwidge Danticat