In a conversation with TIME, authors Margaret Atwood and Lauren Groff discussed the effectiveness of using historical or futuristic settings to explore contemporary issues. Atwood set her latest novel, “The Testaments,” in 17th-century New England, while Groff’s survivalist novel, “Matrix,” takes place in the near future. Both works grapple with pressing issues facing women, the environment, and society today. Groff emphasizes the power of historical fiction to provide a “slant” on the present, allowing writers to address current events without being tethered to the rapidly changing present day. Atwood notes the challenge of writing about the present, as events move too quickly. The discussion also touches on the growing threat to books and freedom of expression in the United States, with specific reference to Florida’s numerous book bans targeting LGBTQ+ and racial content.