Portrait of Gérard de Nerval

Gérard de Nerval books in order

French writer, poet, essayist and translator

Lived
1808–1855
Country
France
Books
6

Gérard de Nerval published 2 novels, 3 novellas and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Voyage to the Orient (1851).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Gérard de Nerval

Standalone novels in order

  1. The Illuminated (1852)

  2. Les Filles Du Feu (1854)

Novellas in order

  1. Sylvie (1853)

    136 pages

  2. La Pandora (Oct 1854)

  3. Aurélia (1855)

    134 pages

Non-fiction in order

  1. Voyage to the Orient (1851)

    215 pages

About Gérard de Nerval

Gérard de Nerval was the pen name of Gérard Labrunie, a French travel writer, essayist, poet, and translator. He was a major figure during the era of French romanticism, and best known for his novellas and poems, especially the collection Les Filles du feu, which included the novella Sylvie and the poem "El Desdichado". Through his translations, Nerval played a major role in introducing French readers to the works of German Romantic authors, including Klopstock, Schiller, Bürger and Goethe. His later work merged poetry and journalism in a fictional context and influenced Marcel Proust. His last novella, Aurélia ou le rêve et la vie, influenced André Breton and Surrealism.

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

Gérard de Nerval FAQ

How many books has Gérard de Nerval written?
Gérard de Nerval published 2 novels, 3 novellas and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Gérard de Nerval's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Voyage to the Orient.
What is Gérard de Nerval's last book?
Aurélia (1855).
What is Gérard de Nerval's most famous book?
Voyage to the Orient (1851) is Gérard de Nerval's most widely read book.
Can I read Gérard de Nerval's books for free?
Yes. 1 book by Gérard de Nerval is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like Gérard de Nerval

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