How many books has Ilya Ilf written?

Ilya Ilf published 3 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Ilya Ilf's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Twelve Chairs.

What is Ilya Ilf's most famous book?

The Twelve Chairs (1928) is Ilya Ilf's most widely read book.

Does Ilya Ilf write under a pen name?

Yes: Ilya Ilf has also published as И., А. И. Ильф, А. Немаловажный and А. Старосольский.

Which Ilya Ilf books have been adapted?

1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Twelve Chairs (as The Thirteen Chairs, film, 1969).

Ilya Ilf books in order

Soviet writer and journalist

Lived: 1897–1937
Country: Russia
Books: 4
Also writes as: И., А. И. Ильф, А. Немаловажный, А. Старосольский

Ilya Ilf published 3 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with The Twelve Chairs (1928).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Ilya Ilf

Start here
The Twelve Chairs
Ilya Ilf's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

The Twelve Chairs (1928), with Yevgeny Petrov
395 pages★ 3.7 (13 ratings)Adapted for film
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The Golden Calf (1931)
402 pages
Buy
One-storied America (1937), with Yevgeny Petrov
Buy

Non-fiction in order

Ilf and Petrov's American Road Trip (1937)
348 pages
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

The Thirteen Chairs (1969)Film · from The Twelve Chairs
The Twelve Chairs (1970)Film · from The Twelve Chairs
The Twelve Chairs (1971)Film · from The Twelve Chairs
The Twelve ChairsTV · from The Twelve Chairs

About Ilya Ilf

Ilya Arnoldovich Ilf was a Soviet journalist and writer of Jewish origin who usually worked in collaboration with Yevgeny Petrov during the 1920s and 1930s. Their duo was known simply as Ilf and Petrov. Together they published two popular comedy novels The Twelve Chairs (1928) and The Little Golden Calf (1931), as well as a satirical book Odnoetazhnaya Amerika that documented their journey through the United States between 1935 and 1936.

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

Ilya Ilf FAQ

How many books has Ilya Ilf written?: Ilya Ilf published 3 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Ilya Ilf's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Twelve Chairs.
What is Ilya Ilf's last book?: One-storied America (1937).
What is Ilya Ilf's most famous book?: The Twelve Chairs (1928) is Ilya Ilf's most widely read book.
Does Ilya Ilf write under a pen name?: Yes: Ilya Ilf has also published as И., А. И. Ильф, А. Немаловажный and А. Старосольский.
Which Ilya Ilf books have been adapted?: 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Twelve Chairs (as The Thirteen Chairs, film, 1969).