How many books has Bohumil Hrabal written?

Bohumil Hrabal published 5 novels, 6 novellas and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Bohumil Hrabal's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Too Loud a Solitude.

What is Bohumil Hrabal's last book?

The Little Town Where Time Stood Still (1993).

What is Bohumil Hrabal's most famous book?

Too Loud a Solitude (1976) is Bohumil Hrabal's most widely read book.

Which Bohumil Hrabal books have been adapted?

3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Closely Watched Trains (film, 1966), I Served the King of England (film, 2006) and Cutting It Short (film, 1980).

Bohumil Hrabal books in order

Czech writer

Lived: 1914–1997
Country: Czechoslovakia
Books: 12

Bohumil Hrabal published 5 novels, 6 novellas and 1 short story collection, beginning with I Served the King of England (1971). The best-known is Too Loud a Solitude (1976).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Bohumil Hrabal

Start here
Too Loud a Solitude
Bohumil Hrabal's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

I Served the King of England (1971)
243 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Cutting It Short (1974)
304 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
The Death of Mr. Baltisberger (1975)
193 pages
Buy
The Little Town Where Time Stood Still (1993)
311 pages
Buy
Harlequin's Millions (2014)
312 pages
Buy

Novellas in order

Dancing Lessons for the Advanced in Age (1964)
123 pages
Buy
Closely Watched Trains (1965)
91 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
A Close Watch on the Trains (1968)
93 pages
Buy
Closely Observed Trains (1971)
120 pages
Buy
Too Loud a Solitude (1976)
122 pages★ 4.3 (8 ratings)
Buy
Gaps (2011)
131 pages
Buy

Short story collections in order

Mr. Kafka and Other Tales from the Time of the Cult (2015)
142 pages
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

Closely Watched Trains (1966)Film · from Closely Watched Trains
I Served the King of England (2006)Film · from I Served the King of England
Cutting It Short (1980)Film · from Cutting It Short

About Bohumil Hrabal

Bohumil Hrabal was a Czech writer, often named among the best Czech writers of the 20th century.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Bohumil Hrabal FAQ

How many books has Bohumil Hrabal written?: Bohumil Hrabal published 5 novels, 6 novellas and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Bohumil Hrabal's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Too Loud a Solitude.
What is Bohumil Hrabal's last book?: The Little Town Where Time Stood Still (1993).
What is Bohumil Hrabal's most famous book?: Too Loud a Solitude (1976) is Bohumil Hrabal's most widely read book.
Which Bohumil Hrabal books have been adapted?: 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Closely Watched Trains (film, 1966), I Served the King of England (film, 2006) and Cutting It Short (film, 1980).

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.