Alan Paton books in order
South African writer and activist
- Lived
- 1903–1988
- Country
- South Africa
- Books
- 13
Alan Paton published 3 novels, 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 4 non-fiction books, 1 play and 3 other books, beginning with Cry, the Beloved Country (1948).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Alan Paton
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Cry, the Beloved Country
Alan Paton's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Cry, the Beloved Country (Dec 1948)
Too Late the Phalarope (1953)
Ah, but Your Land Is Beautiful (1981)
Novellas in order
Debbie Go Home (1961)
Short story collections in order
Tales from a Troubled Land (1983)
Non-fiction in order
Hofmeyr (1964)
Apartheid and the Archbishop (1973)
Towards the Mountain (1980)
Journey Continued (1988)
Plays in order
Sponono (1965)
Other books in order
Instrument of Thy Peace (1968)
The Long View (1968)
Kontakion for You Departed (1969)
Film and TV adaptations
- Cry, the Beloved Country (1951)Film · from Cry, the Beloved Country
- Cry, the Beloved Country (1995)Film · from Cry, the Beloved Country
About Alan Paton
Alan Stewart Paton was a South African writer, anti-apartheid activist, and educator. His works include the novels Cry, the Beloved Country (1948), Too Late the Phalarope (1953), and the short story The Waste Land. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his literary contributions to the anti-apartheid movement.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Alan Paton FAQ
- How many books has Alan Paton written?
- Alan Paton published 3 novels, 1 novella, 1 short story collection, 4 non-fiction books, 1 play and 3 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Alan Paton's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Cry, the Beloved Country.
- What is Alan Paton's last book?
- Journey Continued (1988).
- What is Alan Paton's most famous book?
- Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) is Alan Paton's most widely read book.
- Which Alan Paton books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Cry, the Beloved Country (film, 1951).
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.