From plague to plague: COVID‐19 and the New Decameron(s)

This article reflects on the role of narration in times crisis. Drawing studies storytelling and bibliotherapy, it compares Decameron, a collection short stories written during immediately after 1348 Black Death, with two Decameron-based collections first wave COVID-19 pandemic: The New York Times Magazine's Decameron Project: 29 Stories From Pandemic Nuovo Decameron. argues that has ways relating to crisis: as an escape from reality therapeutic means overcoming trauma. Both emphasize is future-oriented tool can have positive impact both individual community: sometimes finding unexpected silver linings, making sense seems surreal. In this sense, concludes, process choral reconstruction brings life back stage.