
Philip José Farmer Reading Order
16 series · 200 books · Born 1918-01-26
Philip José Farmer was a prolific American science fiction and fantasy author who published nearly 200 books across multiple acclaimed series from 1954 through 2024. His most celebrated works include the sprawling Riverworld saga and the World of Tiers sequence, both of which showcase his talent for creating vast, imaginative universes with intricate mythologies. Farmer became a pioneering figure in speculative fiction for his bold integration of sexual and religious themes, his inventive reimagining of classic pulp heroes and literary characters, and his willingness to blur genre boundaries through experimental works often published under elaborate fictional pseudonyms.
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Anthologies Series
Complete26 books (1965–2010)
Philip José Farmer's Anthologies series comprises 25 books published between 1965 and 2010, collecting science fiction and fantasy stories across diverse themed volumes. The series includes entries such as Dangerous Visions, Orbit 3, and the Weird Heroes collections, alongside specialized anthologies focused on topics like Jack the Ripper tales and bug-eyed monsters. Read in publication order beginning with The Microcosmic God to follow the chronological development of these curated collections. The series is now complete.
Start with The Microcosmic God, the first of 25 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with The Microcosmic God
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Dayworld Series
Complete3 books (1985–1990)
Philip José Farmer's Dayworld trilogy spans from 1985 to 1990 and follows a complete three-book arc that should be read in publication order. The series consists of Dayworld, Dayworld Rebel, and Dayworld Breakup, offering science fiction and action-adventure narratives across the full sequence. This finished trilogy requires sequential reading to fully experience its narrative progression.
Start with Dayworld and read in order.
Start this series with Dayworld
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleDoc Caliban and Lord Grandrith Series
Complete3 books (1995–2013)
Philip José Farmer's Doc Caliban and Lord Grandrith series consists of three complete novels published between 1995 and 2013. The books should be read in publication order, beginning with A Feast Unknown, followed by Lord of the Trees and The Mad Goblin. This action-adventure series blends science fiction and fantasy elements across its standalone yet connected narratives.
Start with A Feast Unknown and read in order.
Start this series with A Feast Unknown
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleHerald Childe Series
Complete3 books (1968–1973)
Philip José Farmer's Herald Childe trilogy spans from 1968 to 1973 and consists of three complete books: Image of the Beast, Blown, and Traitor to the Living. This science fiction and fantasy series blends action and adventure across its publication sequence, and should be read in order beginning with Image of the Beast.
Start with Image of the Beast and read in order.
Start this series with Image of the Beast
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleNon-Fiction Series
Complete1 book (2020–2020)
Opar Series
Complete2 books (1974–1976)
The Opar series by Philip José Farmer comprises two complete fantasy-adventure novels published in the 1970s. Hadon of Ancient Opar (1974) introduces the world and should be read first, followed by Flight to Opar (1976). Both books should be read in publication order to experience the full narrative arc of this concluded series.
Start with Hadon of Ancient Opar and read in order.
Start this series with Hadon of Ancient Opar
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudiblePhilip Jose Farmer's The Dungeon Series
Complete9 books (1988–2017)
Philip José Farmer's The Dungeon is a nine-book fantasy and science fiction series completed between 1988 and 2017, with contributions from multiple authors including Richard A. Lupoff, Robin Wayne Bailey, Charles de Lint, and Bruce Coville. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with the first installment by Richard A. Lupoff. This collaborative work combines elements of adventure and world-building across its complete run.
Start with Philip José Farmer's The Dungeon(By: Richard A. Lupoff), the first of 9 books in the Philip Jose Farmer's The Dungeon series.
Start this series with Philip José Farmer's The Dungeon(By: Richard A. Lupoff)
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Philip José Farmer Short Stories/Novellas Series
Likely Complete4 books (1954–2021)
This collection spans a 67-year period from 1954 to 2021 and gathers four short stories and novellas by prolific science fiction and fantasy author Philip José Farmer. The series appears to be complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Queen of the Deep. Farmer's stories across this compilation showcase his signature blend of speculative fiction across fantasy, science fiction, and adventure genres.
Start with Queen of the Deep, the first of 4 books in the Philip José Farmer Short Stories/Novellas series.
Start this series with Queen of the Deep
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudiblePhilip José Farmer Short Story Collections Series
Likely Complete21 books (1954–2021)
This series comprises 21 collections of short stories by prolific science fiction and fantasy author Philip José Farmer, spanning from 1954 to 2021. The series is likely complete and should be read in publication order to trace the evolution of Farmer's short fiction across seven decades. These collections showcase his work across fantasy, science fiction, and adventure genres, offering readers a comprehensive overview of his shorter pieces alongside selections from his broader body of work.
Start with They Twinkled Like Jewels, the first of 21 books in the Philip José Farmer Short Story Collections series.
Start this series with They Twinkled Like Jewels
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Philip José Farmer Standalone Novels Series
Complete31 books (1957–2020)
Philip José Farmer's standalone novels span from 1957 to 2020 and comprise 31 complete works across science fiction, fantasy, and adventure genres. These novels should be read in publication order, beginning with The Green Odyssey and progressing through titles such as Flesh, The Lovers, Inside Outside, Night of Light, Lord Tyger, and Love Song. The series represents Farmer's diverse exploration of imaginative themes across multiple decades, with each novel functioning as an independent narrative rather than a continuing story.
Start with The Green Odyssey, the first of 31 books in the Philip José Farmer Standalone Novels series.
Start this series with The Green Odyssey
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Riverworld Series
Complete8 books (1971–1992)
Philip José Farmer's Riverworld series spans eight books published between 1971 and 1992, combining science fiction and fantasy elements across a complete story arc. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Fabulous Riverboat and continuing through The Magic Labyrinth, with later entries including contributions from co-author John Gregory Betancourt. This epic sequence follows humanity's resurrection along an impossibly vast river world, blending adventure, mystery, and philosophical exploration across its interconnected narratives.
Start with The Fabulous Riverboat, the first of 8 books in the Riverworld series.
Start this series with The Fabulous Riverboat
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Tarzan Series
Complete3 books (1972–1999)
Philip José Farmer's Tarzan series consists of three complete books published between 1972 and 1999, meant to be read in publication order. Beginning with Tarzan Alive in 1972, followed by Doc Savage and concluding with Tarzan and the Dark Heart of Time in 1999, this adventure series blends fantasy and science fiction elements characteristic of Farmer's broader work.
Start with Tarzan Alive and read in order.
Start this series with Tarzan Alive
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleThe Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes Series
Ongoing38 books (1974–2024)
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is an ongoing anthology series featuring reimagined cases and new mysteries involving Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective. The collection spans 38 books published from 1974 to 2024, written by multiple authors including Philip José Farmer, Loren D. Estleman, Fred Saberhagen, and many others. Readers should follow publication order starting with The Adventure of the Peerless Peer to experience how different authors have interpreted and expanded the Sherlock Holmes universe across various genres and storylines.
Start with The Adventure of the Peerless Peer, the first of 38 books in the The Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes series.
Start this series with The Adventure of the Peerless Peer
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Thieves' World Series
Complete19 books (1979–2013)
Thieves' World is a 19-book fantasy series published between 1979 and 2013, edited primarily by Lynn Abbey and Robert Lynn Asprin with contributions from various science fiction and fantasy authors. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Thieves' World and concluding with the final entry released in 2013. This shared-world anthology series features interconnected stories set in the city of Sanctuary, with multiple authors contributing tales that expand the setting and its cast of characters across the collection.
Start with Thieves' World(By: Lynn Abbey,Robert Lynn Asprin), the first of 19 books in the Thieves' World series.
Start this series with Thieves' World(By: Lynn Abbey,Robert Lynn Asprin)
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Wild Adventures Of Doc Savage Series
Complete22 books (1991–2018)
Philip José Farmer's Wild Adventures of Doc Savage consists of 22 complete books published between 1991 and 2018, with most entries credited to the house name Kenneth Robeson. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Escape from Loki and continuing through the full sequence of action and adventure tales that extend into the early 2020s.
Start with Escape from Loki, the first of 22 books in the Wild Adventures Of Doc Savage series.
Start this series with Escape from Loki
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World Of Tiers Series
Complete7 books (1965–1993)
The World of Tiers is a seven-book science fiction and fantasy series by Philip José Farmer, published between 1965 and 1993. The complete series should be read in publication order, beginning with The Maker of Universes and concluding with More Than Fire. This concluded saga blends action and adventure across multiple interconnected worlds and dimensions.
Start with The Maker of Universes, the first of 7 books in the World Of Tiers series.
Start this series with The Maker of Universes
Buy Book 1 🇺🇸🎧 Listen free on AudibleFrequently Asked Questions
- How many books has Philip José Farmer written?
- Philip José Farmer has written 200 books across 16 series. Their published works span from 1954 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each Philip José Farmer series?
- Here are the first books in Philip José Farmer's series: Anthologies: The Microcosmic God; Dayworld: Dayworld; Doc Caliban and Lord Grandrith: A Feast Unknown; Herald Childe: Image of the Beast; Opar: Hadon of Ancient Opar.
- What order should I read Philip José Farmer's books?
- We recommend reading Philip José Farmer's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is Philip José Farmer still writing new books?
- Yes, Philip José Farmer has 1 ongoing series: The Further Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes.

