Josef Škvorecký books in order
Czech-Canadian writer and publisher
- Lived
- 1924–2012
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Books
- 16
- Also writes as
- Burke, Josef Benda, Errol, J. Mnata
Josef Škvorecký published 10 novels, 4 short story collections, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book, beginning with Eine Kleine Jazzmusik (1963). The best-known is The Engineer of Human Souls (1984).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Josef Škvorecký
Start here
The Engineer of Human Souls
Josef Škvorecký's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Miss Silver's Past (1969)
The Cowards (1970)
The Miracle Game (1972)
The Bass Saxophone (1977)
Dvorak in Love (1983)
The Engineer of Human Souls (1984)
Talkin' Moscow Blues (1988)
The End of Lieutenant Boruvka (1990)
The Republic of Whores (1993)
The Bride of Texas (1995)
Short story collections in order
The Swell Season (1982)
Sins for Father Knox (1991)
The Mournful Demeanour of Lieutenant Boruvka (1991)
When Eve Was Naked (2000)
Non-fiction in order
Headed for the Blues (1997)
Other books in order
Eine Kleine Jazzmusik (1963)
About Josef Škvorecký
Josef Škvorecký was a Czech-Canadian writer and publisher. He spent half of his life in Canada, publishing and supporting banned Czech literature during the communist era. Škvorecký was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1980. He and his wife were long-time supporters of Czech dissident writers before the fall of communism in that country. Škvorecký's fiction deals with several themes: the horrors of totalitarianism and repression, the expatriate experience, and the miracle of jazz.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Josef Škvorecký FAQ
- How many books has Josef Škvorecký written?
- Josef Škvorecký published 10 novels, 4 short story collections, 1 non-fiction book and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Josef Škvorecký's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Engineer of Human Souls.
- What is Josef Škvorecký's last book?
- When Eve Was Naked (2000).
- What is Josef Škvorecký's most famous book?
- The Engineer of Human Souls (1984) is Josef Škvorecký's most widely read book.
- Does Josef Škvorecký write under a pen name?
- Yes: Josef Škvorecký has also published as Burke, Josef Benda, Errol and J. Mnata.
Authors like Josef Škvorecký
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.