Clifford Odets books in order
American playwright, screenwriter, and actor
- Lived
- 1906–1963
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 12
Clifford Odets published 1 novel, 7 plays and 4 other books, beginning with Awake and Sing! (1935). The best-known is Waiting for Lefty (1935).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Clifford Odets
Start here
Waiting for Lefty
Clifford Odets's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Dead Souls (2009)
Plays in order
Awake and Sing! (1935)
Paradise Lost (1936)
Golden Boy (1937)
Six Plays of Clifford Odets (1939)
Clash by Night (1942)
The Big Knife (1949)
Sweet Smell of Success (1998)
Other books in order
Three Plays (1935)
Waiting for Lefty (1935)
Rocket to the Moon (1939)
The Country Girl (1951)
About Clifford Odets
Clifford Odets was an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. In the mid-1930s, he was widely seen as the potential successor to Nobel Prize–winning playwright Eugene O'Neill, as O'Neill began to withdraw from Broadway's commercial pressures and increasing critical backlash. From January 1935, Odets's socially relevant dramas were extremely influential, particularly for the remainder of the Great Depression. His works inspired the next several generations of playwrights, including Arthur Miller, Paddy Chayefsky, Neil Simon, and David Mamet. After the production of his play Clash by Night in the 1941–42 season, Odets focused his energies primarily on film projects, remaining in Hollywood until mid-1948. He returned to New York for five and a half years, during which time he produced three more Broadway plays, only one of which was a success. His prominence was eventually eclipsed by Miller, Tennessee Williams, and, in the early- to mid-1950s, William Inge.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Clifford Odets FAQ
- How many books has Clifford Odets written?
- Clifford Odets published 1 novel, 7 plays and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Clifford Odets's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Waiting for Lefty.
- What is Clifford Odets's last book?
- The Country Girl (1951).
- What is Clifford Odets's most famous book?
- Waiting for Lefty (1935) is Clifford Odets's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.