Big Apocalyptic Trilogy Theory

[Foxed]

Had a thought. What separates the Trilogy from the case files.

Answer: what if Butcher is planning to expand the point of view beyond Dresden. We see it in short stories.

Plus that way our trusty narrator is no longer safe.

[groinkick]

I could see it happening that way. 

I laid out a theory a long time ago that the case files will end, Harry will get his happy ending, and the BAT will start years after the case files end.

[Quantus]

Interesting Idea.  Might imply harry will die to kick it off.

Id always thought the main difference with the Trilogy would be that it was more literally a single large story arc broken into three parts, as opposed to the self-contained and more loosely grouped case-files

[Kindler]

I've kicked around the idea of the BAT doing just that; multiple first-person perspectives. It can be reconciled with the idea that the Case Files are Harry's journals, too; the alternate perspectives are accounts gathered after the fact by a fastidious chronicler.

[wardenferry419]

That would add an element of uncertainty to Harry's survival.

[Fcrate]

That would add an element of uncertainty to Harry's survival.

To be honest, Harry's survival would disappoint me to a certain degree.

[wardenferry419]

After his craptastic life, Harry could use some retirement.

[Fcrate]

A nice spot in heaven, with visitation rights to Hell looks like a good retirement plan to me.

[Cozarkian]

Quite possible. My theory is that the case books have all happened in the past but the BAT will be in the present. The very first line of Storm Front was a clue that the case books are Harry's journals of past events. I think he completes writing the set of journals after the last case book and before the BAT. This has a similar effect of making Harry not safe.

[Snark Knight]

A nice spot in heaven, with visitation rights to Hell looks like a good retirement plan to me.

He did eat Vadderung's donut, which if I'm not mistaken gives the Norse pantheon a claim on him to go to their afterlife.

[Kindler]

Quite possible. My theory is that the case books have all happened in the past but the BAT will be in the present. The very first line of Storm Front was a clue that the case books are Harry's journals of past events. I think he completes writing the set of journals after the last case book and before the BAT. This has a similar effect of making Harry not safe.

This?

I heard the mailman approach my office door, half an hour earlier than usual.

I think you're right about the books being the journals, but I don't see how that's a clue.

As for the BAT being in the present, that'd be swell, but I hope to God he isn't going to write it in present tense. Present tense fiction is extremely irritating to read. Too many f*(&ing gerunds. Simple past FTW.

[nedserD C B yrraH]

f*(&ing gerunds.

[Kindler]

Glad someone got it.

[exartiem]

Since the books are 'written' by Harry in the past tense, then if he dies, someone else will have to write it.  How do you write down the events of your own death when you are not there afterward?

Given Jim's predilection for torturing Harry, I don't see him letting the boy off the hook while he's still alive.

[Quantus]

Since the books are 'written' by Harry in the past tense, then if he dies, someone else will have to write it.  How do you write down the events of your own death when you are not there afterward?

He hasnt even been alive during all the Books themselves; there's absolutely zero requirement for him to be alive to write these books.  Dead and Gone are wildly different things in the DV, especially with Harry.