John Cage books in order
American avant-garde composer
- Lived
- 1912–1992
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 10
- Also writes as
- Cage, Jr., John Milton
John Cage published 2 novels, 2 non-fiction books, 4 poetry collections and 2 other books, beginning with Forever and Sunsmell (1960). The best-known is I-vi (1990).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with John Cage
Start here
I-vi
John Cage's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Silence: Lectures and Writings (1961)
M (1973)
Non-fiction in order
For the Birds (1981)
I-vi (1990)
Poetry in order
Empty Words (1979)
X (1983)
Composition In Retrospect (1993)
Anarchy (2001)
Other books in order
Forever and Sunsmell (1960)
Notations (1969)
About John Cage
John Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, visual artist and music theorist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde. Critics have lauded him as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was also instrumental in the development of modern dance, mostly through his association with choreographer Merce Cunningham, who was also Cage's romantic partner for most of their lives.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
John Cage FAQ
- How many books has John Cage written?
- John Cage published 2 novels, 2 non-fiction books, 4 poetry collections and 2 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read John Cage's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with I-vi.
- What is John Cage's last book?
- I-vi (1990).
- What is John Cage's most famous book?
- I-vi (1990) is John Cage's most widely read book.
- Does John Cage write under a pen name?
- Yes: John Cage has also published as Cage, Jr., John Milton.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.