Cao Yu published 2 plays and 1 other book, beginning with Sunrise (1940).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Cao Yu
Start here
Sunrise
Cao Yu's most-read book.
Plays in order
Sunrise (1940)
Thunderstorm (1978)
Other books in order
Ri Chu (1964)
Film and TV adaptations
- Curse of the Golden Flower (2006)Film · from Thunderstorm
About Cao Yu
Cao Yu was a Chinese playwright, often regarded as one of China's most important playwrights of the 20th century. His best-known works are Thunderstorm (1933), Sunrise (1936) and Peking Man (1940). It is largely through the efforts of Cao Yu that the modern Chinese "spoken theatre" took root in 20th century Chinese literature.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Cao Yu FAQ
- How many books has Cao Yu written?
- Cao Yu published 2 plays and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Cao Yu's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Sunrise.
- What is Cao Yu's last book?
- Thunderstorm (1978).
- What is Cao Yu's most famous book?
- Sunrise (1940) is Cao Yu's most widely read book.
- Which Cao Yu books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Thunderstorm (as Curse of the Golden Flower, film, 2006).
Authors like Cao Yu
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.