C

Colm Tóibín

Bestselling Author • 8 Series • 59 Books

8
Series
59
Books
8
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
Start with: Seeing Is Believing (1985)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: The South (1990)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Start with: The Use of Reason (2006)

About Colm Tóibín

Colm Tóibín is an Irish author of fiction and nonfiction as well as critic. He was born on May 30, 1955, in Enniscorthy County, Wexford, in Ireland. He is the author of several novels, some of which have been made into feature films. His work has also been published around the globe. His novels have been translated into at least 30 languages. He is well known not only in his native country of Ireland but globally for his fiction. He went to school at the University College Dublin. He spent three years living in Barcelona from 1975 to 1978. Barcelona served as future inspiration for his novel The South and Homage to Barcelona. Both novels were published in 1990. Two universities awarded him honorary doctorates. He contributes to a variety of reviews on a regular basis. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, Colm Tóibín 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 Colm Tóibín

Publication Order of Eilis Lacey Books
2 books 2009–2024
1

Brooklyn

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Eilis Lacey Books with Brooklyn, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2009
2

Long Island

Long Island continues the Publication Order of Eilis Lacey Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2024
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
9 books 1990–2021
1

The South

The South continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1990
2

The Heather Blazing

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Heather Blazing, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1992
3

The Story of the Night

The Story of the Night continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1996
4

The Blackwater Lightship

The Blackwater Lightship is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1999
5

The Master

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Master, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2004
6

The Testament of Mary

The Testament of Mary continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2012
7

Nora Webster

Nora Webster is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2014
8

House of Names

House of Names continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2017
9

The Magician

Magic takes center stage in The Magician, a spellbinding addition to the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series that expands the enchanting world created by Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2021
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
3 books 2006–2025
1

The Use of Reason

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

Buy on Amazon
2006
2

The Shortest Day

The Shortest Day continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2020
3

A Long Winter

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas with A Long Winter, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2025
Publication Order of Plays
1 books 2004–2004
1

Beauty in a Broken Place

Beauty in a Broken Place is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2004
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
22 books 1985–2024
1

Seeing Is Believing

Seeing Is Believing is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1985
2

Walking Along the Border

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Walking Along the Border, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1987
3

Bad Blood

A gripping mystery unfolds in Bad Blood as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series showcases Colm Tóibín's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
1988
4

Homage to Barcelona

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Homage to Barcelona, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1990
5

Dubliners

Dubliners continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1990
6

Trial of the Generals

Trial of the Generals is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1990
7

The Sign of the Cross

The Sign of the Cross continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1994
8

The Guinness Book Of Ireland

The Guinness Book Of Ireland is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1995
9

The Kilfenora Teaboy

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Kilfenora Teaboy, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1996
10

Conversations and Portraits

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Conversations and Portraits, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1997
11

The Irish Famine

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Irish Famine, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
1999
12

Love in a Dark Time

Love in a Dark Time explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2002
13

Lady Gregory's Toothbrush

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Lady Gregory's Toothbrush, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2002
14

Ireland

Ireland is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2008
15

All a Novelist Needs

All a Novelist Needs is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2010
16

New Ways to Kill Your Mother

A gripping mystery unfolds in New Ways to Kill Your Mother as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series showcases Colm Tóibín's mastery of suspense.

Buy on Amazon
2012
17

On Elizabeth Bishop

On Elizabeth Bishop continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2015
18

Henry James and American Painting

Henry James and American Painting continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2017
19

Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Mad, Bad, Dangerous to Know, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2018
20

Sean Scully: Walls of Aran

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Sean Scully: Walls of Aran, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2020
21

A Guest at the Feast

A Guest at the Feast is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2023
22

On James Baldwin

On James Baldwin continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2024
Publication Order of Collections
4 books 2006–2026
1

Mothers and Sons

Mothers and Sons is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2006
2

The Empty Family

The Empty Family continues the Publication Order of Collections story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2010
3

Vinegar Hill: Poems

Vinegar Hill: Poems is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2022
4

The News from Dublin

The News from Dublin is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2026
Publication Order of Writers on Writers Books
1 books 2015–2015
1

On Elizabeth Bishop

On Elizabeth Bishop continues the Publication Order of Writers on Writers Books story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2015
Publication Order of Anthologies
17 books 1994–2026
1

New Writing From Ireland

New Writing From Ireland is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1994
2

Finbar's Hotel

Finbar's Hotel continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1997
3

The Modern Library: The 200 Best Novels in English Since 1950

The Modern Library: The 200 Best Novels in English Since 1950 is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
1999
4

The Penguin Book of Irish Fiction

The Penguin Book of Irish Fiction continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
1999
5

New Writing 11

New Writing 11 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2002
6

The Weekenders: Adventures in Calcutta

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Weekenders: Adventures in Calcutta, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2004
7

The Proust Project

The Proust Project is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2004
8

Synge

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

Buy on Amazon
2005
9

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2006

The O. Henry Prize Stories 2006 continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2006
10

Midsummer Nights

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Midsummer Nights, another outstanding contribution from Colm Tóibín.

Buy on Amazon
2009
11

From the Republic of Conscience

From the Republic of Conscience continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2010
12

The Best of Barcelona INK

The Best of Barcelona INK continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2012
13

A London Address

A London Address continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2013
14

1914 - Goodbye to All That

1914 - Goodbye to All That is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2014
15

That Glimpse of Truth

That Glimpse of Truth continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2014
16

All Over Ireland: New Irish Short Stories

All Over Ireland: New Irish Short Stories is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Colm Tóibín have come to expect.

Buy on Amazon
2015
17

The Penguin Book of the International Short Story

The Penguin Book of the International Short Story continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Colm Tóibín's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

Buy on Amazon
2026

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Colm Tóibín?

Colm Tóibín is a bestselling author known for 8 book series containing over 59 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Eilis Lacey Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Colm Tóibín series to start with?

For readers new to Colm Tóibín's work, the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 22 books. Begin with Seeing Is Believing to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Colm Tóibín written?

Colm Tóibín has written over 59 books across 8 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Colm Tóibín books in order?

Yes, reading Colm Tóibín'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 Colm Tóibín write in?

Colm Tóibín writes primarily in fiction. With 8 series across 59 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Colm Tóibín's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Colm Tóibín'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 Colm Tóibín's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Colm Tóibín's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series. The first book, Seeing Is Believing, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.