Jostein Gaarder has published 11 novels, 2 novellas and 1 other book, beginning with The Solitaire Mystery (1990). The best-known is Sophie's World (1991). The latest is Unreliable Man (2018).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Jostein Gaarder
Start here
Sophie's World
Jostein Gaarder's most-read book, rated by 50 Open Library readers.
Newest
Unreliable Man
Published 2018.
Standalone novels in order
The Solitaire Mystery (1990)
Sophie's World (1991)
The Christmas Mystery (1992)
Through a Glass, Darkly (1993)
Vita Brevis (1996)
Maya (1999)
The Ringmaster's Daughter (2001)
The Orange Girl (2003)
The Castle in the Pyrenees (2008)
The World According to Anna (2015)
Unreliable Man (2018)
Novellas in order
Hello? Is Anybody There? (1996)
Vita Brevis: A Letter to St Augustine (1996)
Other books in order
Solitaire Mystery, The (1996)
Film and TV adaptations
- Sophie's World (1999)Film · from Sophie's World
- The Orange Girl (2009)Film · from The Orange Girl
About Jostein Gaarder
Jostein Gaarder is a Norwegian intellectual and author of several novels, short stories, and children's books. Gaarder often writes from the perspective of children, exploring their sense of wonder about the world. He often utilizes metafiction in his works and constructs stories within stories. His best known work is the novel Sophie's World (1991). It has been translated into 60 languages; there are over 40 million copies in print.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Jostein Gaarder FAQ
- How many books has Jostein Gaarder written?
- Jostein Gaarder has published 11 novels, 2 novellas and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Jostein Gaarder's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Sophie's World.
- What is Jostein Gaarder's latest book?
- Unreliable Man (2018).
- What is Jostein Gaarder's most famous book?
- Sophie's World (1991) is Jostein Gaarder's most widely read book.
- Which Jostein Gaarder books have been adapted?
- 2 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Sophie's World (film, 1999) and The Orange Girl (film, 2009).
Authors like Jostein Gaarder
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.