How many books has Jean Giono written?

Jean Giono published 23 novels, 3 novellas and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Jean Giono's books in?

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

What is Jean Giono's most famous book?

Colline (1929) is Jean Giono's most widely read book.

Which Jean Giono books have been adapted?

6 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Lovers Are Never Losers (as Angèle, film, 1934), The Solitude of Compassion (as Jofroi, film, 1934), A King Alone (as A King Without Distraction, film, 1963) and Les Âmes Fortes (as Savage Souls, film, 2001).

Jean Giono books in order

French writer

Lived: 1895–1970
Country: France
Books: 27

Literary fiction

Jean Giono published 23 novels, 3 novellas and 1 short story collection, beginning with Colline (1929).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Jean Giono

Start here
Colline
Jean Giono's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

Colline (1929)
190 pages
Buy
Lovers Are Never Losers (1929)
257 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Second Harvest (1930)
205 pages
Buy
To The Slaughterhouse (1931)
215 pages
Buy
Blue Boy (1932)
251 pages
Buy
The Song of the World (May 1934)
312 pages
Buy
Joy of Man's Desiring (1935)
487 pages
Buy
Les Vraies Richesses (1936)
224 pages
Buy
Harvest (1939)
192 pages
Buy
A King Alone (1947)
256 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Les Âmes Fortes (1950)
Adapted for film
Buy
Le Moulin De Pologne (1951)
194 pages
Buy
Les Grands Chemins (1951)
242 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
The Horseman on the Roof (Nov 1951)
500 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
The Malediction (1955)
157 pages
Buy
The Straw Man (1957)
461 pages
Buy
Angelo (1958)
222 pages
Buy
Le Chant Du Monde (1963)
318 pages
Buy
Deux Cavaliers De L'orage (1965)
233 pages
Buy
Giono Selections (1965)
244 pages
Buy
Le Déserteur (1966)
164 pages
Buy
An Italian Journey (1998)
188 pages
Buy
Two Riders on the Storm (2002)
227 pages
Buy

Novellas in order

The Man Who Planted Trees (1989)
53 pages
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L' Homme Qui Plantait Des Arbres (1996)
56 pages
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The Serpent of Stars (2004)
117 pages
Buy

Short story collections in order

The Solitude of Compassion (1932)
Adapted for film
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

Angèle (1934)Film · from Lovers Are Never Losers
Jofroi (1934)Film · from The Solitude of Compassion
A King Without Distraction (1963)Film · from A King Alone
Savage Souls (2001)Film · from Les Âmes Fortes
Of Flesh and Blood (1963)Film · from Les Grands Chemins
The Horseman on the Roof (1995)Film · from The Horseman on the Roof

About Jean Giono

Jean Giono was a French writer who wrote works of fiction mostly set in the Provence region of France.

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

Jean Giono FAQ

How many books has Jean Giono written?: Jean Giono published 23 novels, 3 novellas and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Jean Giono's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Colline.
What is Jean Giono's last book?: Le Déserteur (1966).
What is Jean Giono's most famous book?: Colline (1929) is Jean Giono's most widely read book.
Which Jean Giono books have been adapted?: 6 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Lovers Are Never Losers (as Angèle, film, 1934), The Solitude of Compassion (as Jofroi, film, 1934), A King Alone (as A King Without Distraction, film, 1963) and Les Âmes Fortes (as Savage Souls, film, 2001).