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Christopher Priest

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 51 Books

8
Series
51
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: Indoctrinaire (1970)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Start with: The Negation (1978)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Collections
Start with: Real-Time World (1974)

About Christopher Priest

Christopher Priest is a science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction novelist. The author was born in Cheadle in Manchester, and began writing soon after he graduated from school. He started out writing short stories and other literary works that were featured in magazines and other outlets during the 1960s. He continued to write in this format, even as she also wrote occasional non fiction work and novels that include children’s fiction biographies and critical work. He published “Indoctrinaire,” his debut novel in 1970, which began a stretch of more than twenty years in which he published a book every two years. He was nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for “Fugue for a Darkening Island,” in 1972. He also won the British Science Fiction Association’s BSFA Award. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Christopher Priest has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Christopher Priest

Publication Order of Standalone Novels
23 books 1970–2023
1

Indoctrinaire

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Indoctrinaire, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1970
2

Fugue for a Darkening Island

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Fugue for a Darkening Island, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1972
3

The Inverted World

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Inverted World, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1974
4

The Space Machine

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Space Machine, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1976
5

A Dream of Wessex

A Dream of Wessex is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1977
6

The Perfect Lover

The Perfect Lover explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Christopher Priest.

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1977
7

The Affirmation

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Affirmation, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1981
8

The Glamour

The Glamour is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1984
9

Short Circuit

Short Circuit continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
10

Mona Lisa

Mona Lisa continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
11

The Quiet Woman

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Quiet Woman, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1990
12

The Prestige

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Prestige, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1995
13

The Extremes

The Extremes is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1998
14

eXistenZ

eXistenZ is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1999
15

The Separation

The Separation is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2002
16

The Islanders

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Islanders, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2011
17

The Adjacent

The Adjacent is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2013
18

The Gradual

The Gradual continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2016
19

An American Story

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with An American Story, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2018
20

Episodes

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Episodes, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2019
21

The Evidence

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Evidence, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2020
22

Expect Me Tomorrow

Expect Me Tomorrow is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2022
23

Airside

Airside continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2023
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
1 books 1978–1978
1

The Negation

The Negation is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1978
Publication Order of Collections
5 books 1974–2012
1

Real-Time World

Real-Time World continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1974
2

An Infinite Summer

An Infinite Summer is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1979
3

The Dream Archipelago

The Dream Archipelago is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1999
4

Ersatz Wines

Ersatz Wines continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2008
5

Real-Time World +2

Real-Time World +2 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2012
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
5 books 1987–2026
1

The Book on the Edge of Forever

The Book on the Edge of Forever continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1987
2

The Last Deadloss Visions

A gripping mystery unfolds in The Last Deadloss Visions as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series showcases Christopher Priest's mastery of suspense.

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1988
3

The Magic

Magic takes center stage in The Magic, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series that expands the enchanting world created by Christopher Priest.

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2008
4

“It” Came From Outer Space

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with “It” Came From Outer Space, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2008
5

The Recollections

The Recollections is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2026
Publication Order of The Valancourt Book of Horror Stories Books
1 books 2016–2016
1

The Valancourt Book of Horror Stories: Volume One

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of The Valancourt Book of Horror Stories Books with The Valancourt Book of Horror Stories: Volume One, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2016
Publication Order of Incredible Hulk Books
1 books 2012–2012
1

Past Perfect

Past Perfect is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Incredible Hulk Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2012
Publication Order of Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Books
1 books 2025–2025
1

The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 27

The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 27 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2025
Publication Order of Anthologies
14 books 1969–2015
1

New Writings in SF-15

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with New Writings in SF-15, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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1969
2

New Writings in SF-16

New Writings in SF-16 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1969
3

New Writings In SF-19

New Writings In SF-19 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1971
4

The Year's Best Science Fiction

The Year's Best Science Fiction is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1973
5

Stopwatch

Stopwatch continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1974
6

Andromeda 1

Andromeda 1 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1976
7

Anticipations

Anticipations is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1978
8

Best of Young British Novelists

Best of Young British Novelists is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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1983
9

The Mammoth Book of Extreme Fantasy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Mammoth Book of Extreme Fantasy, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2008
10

The New Uncanny

The New Uncanny is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Christopher Priest have come to expect.

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2008
11

House of Fear

House of Fear continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2011
12

Crimewave 12: Hurts

The investigation intensifies in Crimewave 12: Hurts, as this installment of the Publication Order of Anthologies series takes readers deeper into the criminal underworld of Christopher Priest's creation.

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2013
13

The Mammoth Book of Time Travel SF

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Mammoth Book of Time Travel SF, another outstanding contribution from Christopher Priest.

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2013
14

The Future of Horror

The Future of Horror continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Christopher Priest's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Christopher Priest?

Christopher Priest is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 51 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Collections. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Christopher Priest series to start with?

For readers new to Christopher Priest's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 23 books. Begin with Indoctrinaire to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Christopher Priest written?

Christopher Priest has written over 51 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Christopher Priest books in order?

Yes, reading Christopher Priest's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Christopher Priest write in?

Christopher Priest writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 51 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Christopher Priest's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Christopher Priest's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Christopher Priest's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Christopher Priest's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, Indoctrinaire, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.