📚 Where to Start?

Publication Order of Standalone Novels Best for beginners - Start with "Angels" (1983)
Publication Order of Plays Popular choice - Start with "Shoppers" (2002)
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas Popular choice - Start with "Train Dreams" (2002)
Publication Order of Collections Popular choice - Start with "The Veil" (1987)

About the Author

Denis Johnson was an American author famously known for his novel Tree of Smoke published in 2007 and a short story collection titled, Jesus’ Son published in 1992. Johnson also wrote poetry, plays, non-fiction, and journalism. Born in 1949 Munich, Germany, and spent part of his childhood in Japan, in the Philippines and the suburbs of Washington, D.C. His father worked as a liaison between the CIA and USIA while his mother was a homemaker. Denis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1971 from the University of Iowa and masters in fine arts from Lowa Writers Workshop where he also took classes from Raymond Carver. Johnson’s debut book, The Man Among Seals, was a collection of poetry published in 1969 at the age of nineteen. He garnered positive acclaim with the publication of hi. Denis Johnson is the author of over 25 books across 6 series. Their most famous work is the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, which has garnered millions of readers worldwide. With such a prolific career, Denis Johnson has established themselves as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fiction.

Book Series in Publication Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

9 books
  • Angels In 'Angels', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.
    (1983) ⭐ Start here
  • Fiskadoro The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Fiskadoro', another thrilling entry from Denis Johnson.
    (1985) ⭐ Start here
  • The Stars at Noon Join the adventure in 'The Stars at Noon' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Denis Johnson.
    (1986) ⭐ Start here
  • Resuscitation of a Hanged Man 'Resuscitation of a Hanged Man' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (1990) ⭐ Start here
  • Already Dead In 'Already Dead', a gripping mystery unfolds that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Part of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Denis Johnson.
    (1997) ⭐ Start here
  • The Name of the World Experience the magic of 'The Name of the World' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.
    (2000) ⭐ Start here
  • Tree of Smoke The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Tree of Smoke', another thrilling entry from Denis Johnson.
    (2004) ⭐ Start here
  • Nobody Move 'Nobody Move' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (2009) ⭐ Start here
  • The Laughing Monsters In 'The Laughing Monsters', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.
    (2014) ⭐ Start here

Publication Order of Plays

2 books
  • Shoppers The Publication Order of Plays series continues with 'Shoppers', another thrilling entry from Denis Johnson.
    (2002)
  • Soul of a Whore and Purvis 'Soul of a Whore and Purvis' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (2012)

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

1 books
  • Train Dreams 'Train Dreams' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (2002)

Publication Order of Collections

7 books
  • The Veil In 'The Veil', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Collections saga.
    (1987)
  • Jesus' Son 'Jesus' Son' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (1992)
  • The Incognito Lounge In 'The Incognito Lounge', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Collections saga.
    (1994)
  • The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations Millennium General Assembly Epic fantasy awaits in 'The Throne Of The Third Heaven Of The Nations Millennium General Assembly', a landmark novel in the Publication Order of Collections series by Denis Johnson.
    (1995)
  • The Man Among the SealsInner Weather Join the adventure in 'The Man Among the SealsInner Weather' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Collections series by Denis Johnson.
    (2017)
  • The Largesse of the Sea Maiden The Publication Order of Collections series continues with 'The Largesse of the Sea Maiden', another thrilling entry from Denis Johnson.
    (2018)
  • Car Crash While Hitchhiking and Emergency Experience the magic of 'Car Crash While Hitchhiking and Emergency' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Collections universe.
    (2020)

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

1 books
  • Seek 'Seek' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (2001)

Publication Order of Anthologies

5 books
  • Real Things: An Anthology of Popular Culture in American Poetry Join the adventure in 'Real Things: An Anthology of Popular Culture in American Poetry' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Denis Johnson.
    (1999)
  • The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction 'The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (1999)
  • The New Granta Book of the American Short Story Experience the magic of 'The New Granta Book of the American Short Story' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Anthologies universe.
    (2007)
  • Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story The Publication Order of Anthologies series continues with 'Object Lessons: The Paris Review Presents the Art of the Short Story', another thrilling entry from Denis Johnson.
    (2012)
  • Breaking into Blossom: Poems with Extraordinary Endings 'Breaking into Blossom: Poems with Extraordinary Endings' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Denis Johnson has created.
    (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Denis Johnson?

Denis Johnson is a bestselling author known for 6 book series containing over 25 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Plays, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

Q: What is the best Denis Johnson book series to start with?

For readers new to Denis Johnson's work, we recommend starting with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. This series showcases the author's signature style and is considered one of their most accessible and engaging works. With 9 books, it offers a perfect entry point to Denis Johnson's writing.

Q: How many books has Denis Johnson written?

Denis Johnson has written over 25 books across 6 different series. From thriller mysteries to fantasy adventures, their diverse body of work offers something for every reader.