In The Days Of The Comet by H.G. Wells (1966)

This was one of those books that I got so far into that I felt compelled to finish. I really should have just stopped reading it when I was going to. ( )

http://home.comcast.net/~tonydal/wise... ( )

More than a few people have used this idea over the last few decades.
The people of Earth are going about their normal dodgy business, until
they realise that a comet may actually strike the planet.

A most definitely political novel, this looks at the upheaval such
a catastrophic event can cause, and what happens to the society as a
result.

It seems here that humanity will improve in the face of such calamity.

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/3797

http://freesf.blogspot.com/2006/11/in... ( )

"In the Days of the Comet" is not only my favorite Wells novel, it's one of my favorite novels of any theme or writer. I've read it several times over the years and each time I am awed by it's power to move and inspire me.

It's laid out in two sections: Before the comet and after. We follow Willie Leadford through the days before the comet where he finds himself pushed to the brink by a romantic disappointment. His plan of passionate revenge is interrupted by a comet passing through the Earth's atmosphere. The comet leaves gasses in it's wake which alter human nature and all thoughts of revenge and hate dissolve. Society reorganizes itself and Utopia is realized.

A lot could be said about what Wells was really writing about here or what is behind the work. I don't really care - My own feelings and interpretations mean too much to me to ruin with that kind of knowledge. I feel "In the Days of the Comet" is a brilliant study of the dark and light in human nature. And while political events and social etiquette in the story are very much tied to the date the novel was written, it really doesn't matter - you don't have to know the background information - The characters are still so relevant, so contemporary, those details will go by almost unnoticed.

Every time I read this book I am simply blown away at *realism* of the characters - They seem startlingly contemporary and profound to me. Especially in the first half of the book when Willie struggles with his anger and dark outlook on the world. I often find myself having to stop reading for a moment just to detach from his intense passion and not get too close. I've never been moved to violence against another human being, but I've been just shy of it. Willie brings me that extra step to that place I hope I never go.

And then the comet comes and everything changes.

And I can see, with equal clarity, the possibilities for *humanity*... I shake off the anger and hate with a weary sigh right along with Willie and am awed at how much of it was an illusion. In the story it takes a physical intervention (the gasses of the comet) to reach this point but it mirrors my own experiences in life. The spiraling down into self-centered ambition, isolation, fear, and anger can be a slippery slope - One that grows and grows and before you know it, you can't even remember what you're so angry and hateful about. It's the times when I'm stuck in that dark, angry place that I find this book so helpful. I can take Willie by the hand and have him guide me out.

Critics might win the argument that the comet it a too-convenient plot device - This is by no means a science fiction novel and the comet is scarcely discussed beyond it's simple presence. But they would be wrong dismiss the change that happens as over-simplified or to misinterpret the change as the loss of "spirit" from humanity. Eventually, in later chapters, Wells does address the issue in a little more depth. I find one of the more interesting concepts to be that the comet gasses do not take away human emotion or desire - Rather, it eliminates the more negative human emotions like jealousy and hate. This is very specifically addressed in the late chapters of the book when Willie begins to struggle with his restless emotions again after the fervor of rebuilding society subsides and he has time to think of his own future. One does not need to become a passive, lifeless sheep to become part of this new society - One *does* need to shed self-serving ambitions, hatred, jealousy, class and racial prejudices, etc. That doesn't mean it will be *easy* or that you will become a pacified zombie.

Wells looks at other concepts I found just as profound as the human nature theme. Specifically, open marriage/polyamory/free love - Whatever box you want to shove it into, it's all pretty shocking how contemporary it is in this book. Wells often works this aspect into his stories but not as successfully as in this one. For once we get a mature model of open relationship instead of the thinly-veiled opinion of a self-absorbed sex addict.

Some may find the story a bit slow - It is true, you need to be interested more in character study than plot/action to get much out of this book. But if character study is what floats your boat, I'd put this one on the top 10 must read list.

I wouldn't want you to miss the sublime review at Amazon.com by Mike Smith of NM (found about three down the list here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0898...) - He really says just what I would like to only far better than I ever could (in fewer words)...

Discuss my review here: http://agentxpndble.livejournal.com/1... ( )