An author using a specific date for a fictional world event.

Julie Ditton · Post by **Julie Ditton** » 04 Jan 2017, 16:21

In this book, we are told that if Henry does not push the button by a specific date, the world will end. But the book was published just a few days before that date, so people are reading the book after the deadline has passed. I find that distracting from my enjoyment of the book. If the event only effects a few people, it doesn't bother me. But, in my oppinion, if it's world news or world changing, the year should not be mentioned. How do you feel?

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 05 Jan 2017, 04:53

This is a good question. Since I just read this book, I didn't really think about the date very much since it technically already happened. Maybe if I read the book around the time when the world could have ended in the book, it would have bothered me more.

ChillAndRead · Post by **ChillAndRead** » 05 Jan 2017, 05:03

I agree with Julie Ditton about posting a date that is about to or has already past. I would prefer not having the exact year written down, because it does annoy me a little!

gali · Post by **gali** » 05 Jan 2017, 05:32

I didn't think about that either. Since it was not a real-case scenario, the mention of the date didn't bother me.

mratdegraff91 · Post by **mratdegraff91** » 05 Jan 2017, 20:44

I was somewhat bothered at first regarding the year. As I continued I just started to ignore the year. It seemed to make it more enjoyable for me that way. I guess you could say, though, that it does bother me some.

ashley_claire · Post by **ashley_claire** » 06 Jan 2017, 12:24

The date definitely distracted me when I began reading this book. I went on a whole thought tangent about why the author would have chosen that date when most people reading the book would be reading it after the fact.

katiesquilts · Post by **katiesquilts** » 06 Jan 2017, 22:15

I agree with gali on the point that since it's fiction, the date doesn't really matter to me. To me, dates in books are used more to give the reader an idea of the time period the book is set in. However, in this case I thought maybe we would be shown what could have changed after Henry pushed the button and saved the Earth. For example, something that did not actually happen in our timeline, but that happened because he pushed the button.

I haven't finished reading yet,though, so I don't know if this will actually apply or not.

Post by **Kourtney Bradley** » 10 Jan 2017, 11:40

I agree with you! I always notice specific dates in books, and it seems to bother me once that date passes.

Post by **kandscreeley** » 10 Jan 2017, 12:43

I find that it doesn't usually bother me. I might notice it. I'll go look, we've already passed that date. But in my mind, it's called fiction for a reason...

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 12 Jan 2017, 06:40

I thought it was funny when I read it, but didn't give it much thought. It didn't limit my enjoyment in any way.

Thimble · Post by **Thimble** » 13 Jan 2017, 12:20

The date didn't bother me at all. However, I borrowed the book from a library, and it's due back by January 28th, so that's slightly amusing.

Gravy · Post by **Gravy** » 13 Jan 2017, 21:23

Thimble wrote:The date didn't bother me at all. However, I borrowed the book from a library, and it's due back by January 28th, so that's slightly amusing.

Oh, I love that!

Heidi M Simone · Post by **Heidi M Simone** » 16 Jan 2017, 16:38

Gravy wrote:
Thimble wrote:The date didn't bother me at all. However, I borrowed the book from a library, and it's due back by January 28th, so that's slightly amusing.
Oh, I love that!

That is funny!

Guppy · Post by **Guppy** » 16 Jan 2017, 21:15

I agree that the year shouldn't be specified as it can lessen the sense of urgency. Leaving a book year-less also helps keep it relevant when reading it years later so it is good practice in most fiction.

Acwoolet · Post by **Acwoolet** » 16 Jan 2017, 21:23

For me, it depends on the scenario. Like this book, since the world is suppossed to be ending, I'd rather the year not be mentioned. Or that the book is set a very long time in the future. It doesn't bother me as much if it's some other kind of fictional event, but the end of the world is kind of a big thing.