Work from 1616 is 'the first ever science fiction novel'

The Chemical Wedding, a fantastical story of Rosicrucianism by Johann Valentin Andreae, pioneered the genre, says author who has written a new version

A 400-year-old story about a man who journeys to a mysterious royal wedding is “the first science fiction novel”, long predating Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and other, later writers considered pioneers, according to the award-winning writer John Crowley. In his opinion, the genre starts with Johann Valentin Andreae’s 1616 work The Chemical Wedding, a new version of which he is publishing in November.

Andreae’s story opens as a winged woman, “so bright and beautiful, in a sky-coloured robe”, invites Christian Rosencreutz – the real-life founder of the philosophical secret society of Rosicrucianism – to a “Royal Wedding”. “If God Himself decree it, Then you must to the mountain wend Where three stately temples stand. From there you’ll know Which way to go. Be wise, take care, Wash well, look fair, Or else the Wedding cannot save you,” says a letter which sends Christian on a seven-day journey to serve the Bridegroom and the Bride, in Crowley’s new version of the text.

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