Annie Ernaux has published 7 novels, 8 novellas, 4 non-fiction books and 2 other books, beginning with Cleaned Out (1974). The best-known is Simple Passion (1992). The latest is Le Jeune Homme (2022).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Annie Ernaux
Start here
Simple Passion
Annie Ernaux's most-read book.
Shortest way in
Une Femme
One of the most-read, at about 105 pages.
Newest
Le Jeune Homme
Published May 2022.
Standalone novels in order
Cleaned Out (1974)
Ce Qu'ils Disent Ou Rien (1977)
La Femme Gelée (1981)
Happening (Mar 2000)
The Years (Feb 2008)
L'autre Fille (2011)
Mémoire De Fille (Apr 2016)
Novellas in order
La Place (1984)
Une Femme (1988)
Simple Passion (Jan 1992)
Journal Du Dehors (1993)
La Honte (1997)
L'événement (2000)
The Possession (2002)
Le Jeune Homme (May 2022)
Non-fiction in order
Je Ne Suis Pas Sortie De Ma Nuit (1997)
Things Seen (2000)
The Use of Photography (2005)
Regarde Les Lumières Mon Amour (2014)
Other books in order
I Will Write to Avenge My People (2023)
Other Girl (2025)
Film and TV adaptations
- Simple Passion (2020)Film · from Simple Passion
- Happening (2002)Film · from Happening
- The Other One (2008)Film · from The Possession
About Annie Ernaux
Annie Thérèse Blanche Ernaux is a French writer who was awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature "for the courage and clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements, and collective restraints of personal memory". Her literary work, mostly autobiographical, maintains close links with sociology.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Annie Ernaux FAQ
- How many books has Annie Ernaux written?
- Annie Ernaux has published 7 novels, 8 novellas, 4 non-fiction books and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Annie Ernaux's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Simple Passion.
- What is Annie Ernaux's latest book?
- Le Jeune Homme (2022).
- What is Annie Ernaux's most famous book?
- Simple Passion (1992) is Annie Ernaux's most widely read book.
- Which Annie Ernaux books have been adapted?
- 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Simple Passion (film, 2020), Happening (film, 2002) and The Possession (as The Other One, film, 2008).
Authors like Annie Ernaux
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.