John of the Cross books in order
Spanish mystic and Roman Catholic saint
- Lived
- 1542–1591
- Country
- Crown of Castile
- Books
- 3
John of the Cross published 2 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Dark Night (1584).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with John of the Cross
Start here
Dark Night
John of the Cross's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Dark Night (1584)
Spiritual Canticle (1627)
Non-fiction in order
Ascent of Mount Carmel (1618)
About John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross was a Spanish Catholic priest, mystic, and Carmelite friar. He is a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in Spain, and he is one of the 38 Doctors of the Church.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
John of the Cross FAQ
- How many books has John of the Cross written?
- John of the Cross published 2 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read John of the Cross's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Dark Night.
- What is John of the Cross's last book?
- Dark Night (1584).
- What is John of the Cross's most famous book?
- Dark Night (1584) is John of the Cross's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.