The Comet is the second novel by Lucas Scott. This book was written as a follow-up to Lucas's first novel, An Unkindness of Ravens. Although it was not met with the same enthusiasm as his original novel, it did come across some success.
Plot[]
The Comet was a romantic novel that revolved around a scientist who felt as though he was lost in the world. Through his work, he saw a comet in the sky. When he saw the comet, his whole world came into focus and he gained an understanding for life. While the rest of the world seemed to not understand the comet's beauty, the scientist did. Even with all facts and statistics pointing to the contrary, the scientist waited for the comet to someday return in the hope that it would return to make his world home again.
Basis[]
While not as evident as it was in An Unkindness of Ravens, the basis for Lucas Scott's second novel was again centered around his everlasting love for Peyton Sawyer, narrating it in a more phisophical and metaphorical way. The novel's very title, The Comet, comes from the model of Peyton's car, which was basically a constant during their love story. In fact, even the book’s very incipit was related to it, because the beginning of the story coincided with the first time Lucas talked to Peyton when he helped her with her broken-down car near a lake in Pilot: in this moment, his whole world came into focus and he started feeling his life had meaning. Then, after Peyton went away from him because of their star-crossed lovers history, he waited his whole life in the hope she would come back to him.
Background[]
Lucas wrote this book while he was engaged to his editor, Lindsey Strauss. Unable to find inspiration after his first novel, he hit "writer's block" and struggled to meet his publisher's calls for a second book. However, Lucas gained the inspiration he needed upon learning that Peyton Sawyer had returned home to Tree Hill in an effort to reclaim his heart.
Despite his rebuttal for reconciliation, his subconscious ultimately leaked into his second book, with The Comet essentially becoming a declaration of his everlasting love for Peyton. Upon finally realizing this, Lindsey left him at the altar on their wedding day, effectively ending their engagement and relationship.
Eventually, he finally acknowledged his love for Peyton and then they definitely got back together, becoming engaged at the beginning of season 6. By the season's end, he and Peyton got married and became parents to a daughter, finally having their happily ever after.
Excerpts[]
- "The boy saw the comet and he felt as though his life had meaning. And when it went away, he waited his entire life for it to come back to him."
- "It was more than just a comet because of what it brought to his life: direction, beauty, meaning. There were many who couldn't understand, and sometimes he walked among them. But even in his darkest hours, he knew in his heart that someday it would return to him, and his world would be whole again... And his belief in God and love and art would be re-awakened in his heart."
Trivia[]
- The publishers of the book originally believed it was a science fiction causing them to screw up the book tour.