Gérard Genette books in order
French literary theorist
- Lived
- 1930–2018
- Country
- France
- Books
- 10
Gérard Genette published 4 novels, 4 non-fiction books and 2 other books, beginning with Figures II (1969). The best-known is Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree (1982).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Gérard Genette
Start here
Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree
Gérard Genette's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Figures II (1969)
Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree (1982)
Seuils (1987)
Narrative Discourse (2002)
Non-fiction in order
Figures of Literary Discourse (1982)
The Work of Art (1997)
The Aesthetic Relation (1999)
Essays in Aesthetics (2005)
Other books in order
Figures 2 (1979)
Narrative Discourse Revisited (1988)
About Gérard Genette
Gérard Genette was a French literary theorist, associated in particular with the structuralist movement and with figures such as Roland Barthes and Claude Lévi-Strauss, from whom he adapted the concept of bricolage.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Gérard Genette FAQ
- How many books has Gérard Genette written?
- Gérard Genette published 4 novels, 4 non-fiction books and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Gérard Genette's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree.
- What is Gérard Genette's last book?
- Essays in Aesthetics (2005).
- What is Gérard Genette's most famous book?
- Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree (1982) is Gérard Genette's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.