[HPforGrownups] Re: A slight problem with 1983

[Philip]

No: HPFGUIDX 186058

capndad1 wrote: 

> That means that in 2009 we are only about halfway through the 19 year
interval before the epilogue.
> 
> Personally, I think it would have been much much nicer to have made the
original date of Voldemorts' attack 1973, and thus finished the whole story
this year.
> 
> Opinions?

Geoff:
The dating for Harry is based on canon evidence from COS:

'"Well, this Hallowe'en will be my five hundredth deathday," 
said Nearly Headless Nick, drawing himself up amd looking dignified.'
(COS "The Deathday Party" p.99 UK Edition)

'...an enormous grey cake in the shape of a tombstone, with 
tar-like icing forming the words.

Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington
died 31st October 1492'
(ibid. p.102)

Philip:

As far the setting is concerned, I think that as the Harry Potter series was
aimed at children, if not solely for them, the idea was to make it so that
he aged at the same rate they did. Releasing 1 book per year - at least in
the beginning, helps to support this theory.

Seeing as the only date evidence was a death-day date, it seems unlikely
that she made any conscientious effort to place the story in the current
time.