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Paul Auster

Bestselling Author • 5 Series • 47 Books

5
Series
47
Books
5
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: In the Country of Last Things (1987)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Plays
Start with: The Music of Chance (1990)

About Paul Auster

Paul Auster was a prolific American author and poet, famous for writing crime fiction novels. His works blended existentialism, absurdism, and the search for personal meaning and identity. Some of Auster’s most famous works include Moon Palace, The Music of Chance, The New York Trilogy, The Brooklyn Follies, and The Book of Illusions. His novels have been translated into more than 40 languages worldwide. Paul Auster was born on February 3, 1947, in Newark, New Jersey, United States, and passed away in April 2024. His birth name was Paul Benjamin Auster, and he was born into a Jewish family. Auster’s parents, Samuel and Queenie Auster, were of Polish descent and lived a middle-class life. He had a younger cousin named Lawrence Auster, who was a conservative columnist. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Paul Auster 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 Paul Auster

Publication Order of New York Trilogy Books
3 books 1985–1986
1

City of Glass

City of Glass continues the Publication Order of New York Trilogy Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1985
2

Ghosts

Ghosts is an essential installment in the Publication Order of New York Trilogy Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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1986
3

The Locked Room

The Locked Room continues the Publication Order of New York Trilogy Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1986
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
17 books 1987–2023
1

In the Country of Last Things

In the Country of Last Things is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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1987
2

Moon Palace

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Moon Palace, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1989
3

Auggie Wren's Christmas Story

Auggie Wren's Christmas Story continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1990
4

Leviathan

Leviathan continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1992
5

Mr. Vertigo

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Mr. Vertigo, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1994
6

Dream Days in Hotel

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Dream Days in Hotel, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1998
7

Timbuktu

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Timbuktu, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1999
8

Sophie Calle: Double Game

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Sophie Calle: Double Game, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1999
9

The Book of Illusions

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with The Book of Illusions, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2002
10

Oracle Night

Oracle Night is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2004
11

The Brooklyn Follies

The Brooklyn Follies is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2005
12

Travels in the Scriptorium

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Travels in the Scriptorium, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2005
13

Man in the Dark

Man in the Dark is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2008
14

Invisible

Invisible continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2009
15

Sunset Park

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Sunset Park, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2010
16

4 3 2 1

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with 4 3 2 1, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2017
17

Baumgartner

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

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2023
Publication Order of Plays
6 books 1990–2010
1

The Music of Chance

The Music of Chance is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Plays series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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1990
2

Blue in the Face

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Plays with Blue in the Face, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1990
3

Smoke

Smoke continues the Publication Order of Plays story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1995
4

Lulu on the Bridge

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Plays with Lulu on the Bridge, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1998
5

The Inner Life of Martin Frost

The Inner Life of Martin Frost continues the Publication Order of Plays story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
6

Collected Screenplays

Collected Screenplays continues the Publication Order of Plays story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
15 books 1980–2023
1

White Spaces

White Spaces continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1980
2

The Art of Hunger

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with The Art of Hunger, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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1983
3

The Invention of Solitude

The Invention of Solitude continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1985
4

The Red Notebook

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

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1993
5

Why Write?

Why Write? is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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1996
6

Translations

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

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1997
7

Hand to Mouth

Hand to Mouth continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1997
8

Collected Prose

Collected Prose is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2003
9

Winter Journal

Winter Journal is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2012
10

Report from the Interior

Report from the Interior continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
11

Talking to Strangers

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books with Talking to Strangers, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2019
12

Groundwork

Groundwork continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2020
13

Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane

Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2021
14

Long Live King Kobe

Long Live King Kobe continues the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2022
15

Bloodbath Nation

A gripping mystery unfolds in Bloodbath Nation as the investigation takes deadly new turns. This installment of the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series showcases Paul Auster's mastery of suspense.

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2023
Publication Order of Anthologies
6 books 1997–2012
1

Granta 58: Ambition

Granta 58: Ambition continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1997
2

PEN America Issue 1: Classics

PEN America Issue 1: Classics continues the Publication Order of Anthologies story arc with Paul Auster's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2000
3

Strange Stories for Strange Kids

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with Strange Stories for Strange Kids, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2001
4

The Future Dictionary of America

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with The Future Dictionary of America, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2004
5

110 Stories

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Anthologies with 110 Stories, another outstanding contribution from Paul Auster.

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2004
6

Central Park: An Anthology

Central Park: An Anthology is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Paul Auster have come to expect.

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2012

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Paul Auster?

Paul Auster is a bestselling author known for 5 book series containing over 47 books. Popular series include Publication Order of New York Trilogy Books, Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Plays. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Paul Auster series to start with?

For readers new to Paul Auster's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 17 books. Begin with In the Country of Last Things to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Paul Auster written?

Paul Auster has written over 47 books across 5 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Paul Auster books in order?

Yes, reading Paul Auster'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 Paul Auster write in?

Paul Auster writes primarily in fiction. With 5 series across 47 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Paul Auster's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Paul Auster'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 Paul Auster's most popular book?

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