Gene Wolfe Reading Order
17 series · 251 books · Born 1931-05-07
Gene Wolfe was an American science fiction and fantasy author whose career spanned nearly six decades, producing over 250 works across multiple genres and series. Known for his architecturally intricate narratives and psychologically complex characters, Wolfe frequently employed unreliable narrators and layered storytelling to create immersive worlds that reward careful readers. His prolific output included the acclaimed A Borrowed Man series alongside numerous anthologies and short fiction, establishing him as a master of speculative fiction whose influence extends across generations of writers and readers.
A Borrowed Man Series
Complete2 books (2015–2020)
Start with A Borrowed Man and read in order.
Start this series with A Borrowed Man
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Anthologies Series
Complete79 books (1967–2016)
Start with Orbit 3, the first of 79 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with Orbit 3
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Isaac Asimov's Anthology Series
Complete19 books (1980–2001)
Start with Isaac Asimov's Worlds of Science Fiction(With: Isaac Asimov,Tanith Lee,Phyllis Eisenstein,Barry B. Longyear,John M. Ford,Arnie Bateman,Alan Dean Foster,Martin Gardner,Randall Garrett,Rob Chilson,Ted Reynolds,George Scithers,Richard S. McEnroe,Jeff Duntemann,R.N. Bracewell,K.W. MacAnn,G. Richard Bozarth), the first of 19 books in the Isaac Asimov's Anthology series.
Start this series with Isaac Asimov's Worlds of Science Fiction(With: Isaac Asimov,Tanith Lee,Phyllis Eisenstein,Barry B. Longyear,John M. Ford,Arnie Bateman,Alan Dean Foster,Martin Gardner,Randall Garrett,Rob Chilson,Ted Reynolds,George Scithers,Richard S. McEnroe,Jeff Duntemann,R.N. Bracewell,K.W. MacAnn,G. Richard Bozarth)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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| 1 |  Isaac Asimov's Worlds of Science Fiction(With: Isaac Asimov,Tanith Lee,Phyllis Eisenstein,Barry B. Longyear,John M. Ford,Arnie Bateman,Alan Dean Foster,Martin Gardner,Randall Garrett,Rob Chilson,Ted Reynolds,George Scithers,Richard S. McEnroe,Jeff Duntemann,R.N. Bracewell,K.W. MacAnn,G. Richard Bozarth) |
| 2 |  Isaac Asimov's Near Futures and Far(By: Isaac Asimov,Frederik Pohl,Carter Scholz,Barry B. Longyear,John M. Ford,Jack Williamson,Darrell Schweitzer,John Brunner,Juleen Brantingham,Martin Gardner,Richard Wilson,Milton A. Rothman,Elizabeth Anne Hull,Sharon Webb,Somtow Sucharitkul,Lee Weinstein,Ted Reynolds,George Scithers,F. Gwynplaine MacIntyre,William Tuning,Francis E. Izzo,Paul David Novitski,Lee Russell,Seth S. Horowitz,Tol E. Rant,S. Dale,Julie Flores,Tony Sarowitz) |
| 3 |  Isaac Asimov's Space of Her Own(By: Connie Willis,Ursula K. Le Guin,Pat Cadigan,Joan D. Vinge,Tanith Lee,Pamela Sargent,Lee Killough,Mary Gentle,Mildred Downey Broxon,Shawna McCarthy,Sharon Webb,Leigh Kennedy,Stephanie A. Smith,Cherie Wilkerson,Julie Stevens,Sydney J. Van Scyoc,Cyn Mason,P.A. Kagan,P.J. MacQuarrie,Janet O. Jeppson,Beverly Grant,Hope Athearn) |
| 4 |  Isaac Asimov's Fantasy!(By: Connie Willis,George R.R. Martin,Ron Goulart,John Kessel,George Alec Effinger,Robert Thurston,Tanith Lee,Lucius Shepard,Scott Baker,Lillian Carl,Juleen Brantingham,Lee Killough,Ian McDowell,Daphne Castell,Sharon N. Farber,Richard Kearns,Shawna McCarthy,Leigh Kennedy,Gregg Keizer,Kristi Olesen) |
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L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future Series
Ongoing41 books (1985–2025)
Start with L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1, the first of 41 books in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future series.
Start this series with L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Non-Fiction Series
Complete3 books (1982–2012)
Start with The Castle of the Otter and read in order.
Start this series with The Castle of the Otter
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
R.A. Lafferty Collections Series
Complete16 books (1970–2019)
Start with Nine Hundred Grandmothers(By: R.A. Lafferty), the first of 16 books in the R.A. Lafferty Collections series.
Start this series with Nine Hundred Grandmothers(By: R.A. Lafferty)
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Short Stories/Novellas Series
Complete5 books (1970–2008)
Start with Of Relays and Roses, the first of 5 books in the Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Of Relays and Roses
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Short Story Collections Series
Likely Complete18 books (1972–2023)
Start with The Fifth Head of Cerberus, the first of 18 books in the Short Story Collections series.
Start this series with The Fifth Head of Cerberus
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Soldier Of The Mist Series
Complete4 books (1986–2006)
Start with Soldier of the Mist, the first of 4 books in the Soldier Of The Mist series.
Start this series with Soldier of the Mist
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Standalone Novels Series
Complete12 books (1970–2013)
Start with Operation Ares, the first of 12 books in the Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with Operation Ares
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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The Palencar Project Series
Complete5 books (2012–2012)
Start with Dormanna, the first of 5 books in the The Palencar Project series.
Start this series with Dormanna
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleThe Wizard Knight Series
Complete2 books (2004–2004)
Start with The Knight and read in order.
Start this series with The Knight
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror Series
Ongoing15 books (2010–2024)
Start with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition, the first of 15 books in the The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror series.
Start this series with The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, 2010 Edition
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Urth: Book of the Long Sun Series
Complete4 books (1993–1996)
Start with Nightside the Long Sun, the first of 4 books in the Urth: Book of the Long Sun series.
Start this series with Nightside the Long Sun
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Urth: Book of the New Sun Series
Complete5 books (1980–1987)
Start with The Shadow of the Torturer, the first of 5 books in the Urth: Book of the New Sun series.
Start this series with The Shadow of the Torturer
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Urth: Book of the Short Sun Series
Complete3 books (1999–2001)
Start with On Blue's Waters and read in order.
Start this series with On Blue's Waters
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible
Year's Best SF Anthology Series
Complete18 books (1996–2013)
Start with Year's Best SF, the first of 18 books in the Year's Best SF Anthology series.
Start this series with Year's Best SF
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on Audible| # | Title |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Gene Wolfe written?
- Gene Wolfe has written 251 books across 17 series. Their published works span from 1967 to 2025.
- What is the first book in each Gene Wolfe series?
- Here are the first books in Gene Wolfe's series: A Borrowed Man: A Borrowed Man; Anthologies: Orbit 3; Isaac Asimov's Anthology: Isaac Asimov's Worlds of Science Fiction(With: Isaac Asimov,Tanith Lee,Phyllis Eisenstein,Barry B. Longyear,John M. Ford,Arnie Bateman,Alan Dean Foster,Martin Gardner,Randall Garrett,Rob Chilson,Ted Reynolds,George Scithers,Richard S. McEnroe,Jeff Duntemann,R.N. Bracewell,K.W. MacAnn,G. Richard Bozarth); L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future: L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future 1; Non-Fiction: The Castle of the Otter.
- What order should I read Gene Wolfe's books?
- We recommend reading Gene Wolfe's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Gene Wolfe still writing new books?
- Yes, Gene Wolfe has 2 ongoing series: L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror.