{{Short description|1939 novel by Horace L. Gold and L. Sprague de Camp}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox book | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject Books --> | name = None but Lucifer | title_orig = | translator = | image = None But Lucifer.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Cover of first book edition. | author = Horace L. Gold and L. Sprague de Camp | illustrator = | cover_artist = E. J. Gold | country = United States | language = English | series = | genre = Fantasy | publisher = Gateways Retro Science Fiction | release_date = 2002 | english_release_date = | media_type = Print (Paperback) | pages = 218 | isbn = 0-89556-128-X | dewey= 813/.54 21 | congress= PR9199.3.G5975 N66 2002 | oclc= 49618893 | preceded_by = | followed_by = }}
'''''None but Lucifer''''' is a fantasy novel by American writers Horace L. Gold and L. Sprague de Camp. It was first published in the fantasy magazine ''Unknown'' in September 1939,<ref>{{cite book | last=Laughlin | first=Charlotte |author2=Daniel J. H. Levack | title=De Camp: An L. Sprague de Camp Bibliography | location=San Francisco | publisher=Underwood/Miller | page=218 | year=1983}}</ref><ref name="ISFDb">{{ISFDB title|id=24181}}</ref> and later serialized in the revival of ''Galaxy Science Fiction'', March–July 1994.<ref name="ISFDb"/> Despite its good reception by the readership and the prominence of its authors (Gold was the founding editor of ''Galaxy Science Fiction'', and de Camp quickly became a leading light of science fiction and fantasy during those genres' "golden age"), the book remained unpublished in book form for over sixty years, until finally issued as a trade paperback by Gateways Retro Science Fiction in 2002.<ref name="ISFDb"/><ref name="DAmmassa">D'Ammassa, Don. Review in ''Chronicle: SF, Fantasy & Horror's Monthly Trade Journal'', v. 25, iss. 4, May 2003, p. 45.</ref> It is also available as an electronic publication.
[[File:None But Lucifer-orig.jpg|frame|left|Cover of ''Unknown'', September 1939, featuring the story]]
==Plot== The book is a dark fantasy version of the Faust legend set in New York City during the Great Depression. Protagonist William Hale determines that contrary to popular belief Earth is Hell, and the devil is the ruler of it. By going out of his way to demonstrate he is aware of the con, he brings himself to the devil's attention; Lucifer, it turns out, runs things in the quiet disguise of an influential businessman. Hale talks himself into a partnership, complete with immortality and supernatural powers, only to discover that the perks come with corresponding liabilities. Deciding the only way out is to beat Lucifer at his own con, he discovers his very success ensures his own undoing.
==Reception== Don D'Ammassa, citing the book's "highly respected reputation, ... can't imagine how it was left in obscurity for so long, even if it does seem a bit dated by contemporary standards." He calls it "a real treat even if it does have a few cobwebs."<ref name="DAmmassa"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{wikisource}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20070310230154/http://www.sciencefictionmuseum.com/readingroom/stories/none000.html Text of the novel at Science Fiction Museum]
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Category:1939 American novels Category:1939 English-language novels Category:1939 fantasy novels Category:American fantasy novels Category:Novels by L. Sprague de Camp Category:Works originally published in Unknown (magazine) Category:Novels set in New York City Category:Fiction about the Devil