This is the book that I got given at the London Book Fair. It is published by the Library of Wales and is probably one of the first works of Welsh science fiction. Howell Davies published three science fiction novels via Gollancz between 1938 and 1939 under the pseudonym of “Andrew Marvell” (the original Marvell being an English metaphysical poet). The best known of these books was Minimum Man, which was also published in America through Famous Fantastic Mysteries magazine. Congratulate the Devil is Davies’ third novel.

The book is somewhat reminiscent of HG Wells’ The Invisible Man, only in this case the super powers gained are a form of mind control. The narrator and his chemist friend who originally discovered the drug that bestows the power initially decide not to use it beyond scientific investigation. However temptation, in the form of a beautiful young woman, soon gets the better of them. Before long they have embarked on a life of crime, but the real disaster only happens when someone tries to use the power of the drug to make people happy.

A week or so ago I got into a discussion with someone who was complaining that science fiction books all too often become outdated as the “science” on which they are based is proved wrong. Congratulate the Devil is perhaps an example of how a mainstream novel can become outdated, because while it is perfectly understandable for its time, a modern reader is liable to find himself shaking his head at the odd social attitudes displayed, or shaking her head at the naked sexism of the characters. It is, however, an interesting use of an SF idea to explore an age-old moral conundrum, and well worth being republished.