Portrait of Lao She

Lao She books in order

Chinese writer, novelist and playwright

Lived
1899–1966
Country
People's Republic of China
Books
4
Also writes as
老舍

Lao She published 3 novels and 1 play, beginning with Cat Country (1932).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Lao She

Standalone novels in order

  1. Cat Country (1932)

  2. Rickshaw Boy (1937)

    Adapted for film

  3. Four Generations Under One Roof (1944)

Plays in order

  1. Teahouse (Jul 1957)

Film and TV adaptations

About Lao She

Shu Qingchun, known by his pen name Lao She, was a Chinese writer of Manchu ethnicity, known for his vivid portrayal of urban life and his colorful use of the Beijing dialect, such as in the novel Rickshaw Boy and the play Teahouse. During the Cultural Revolution, he was persecuted and either drowned himself or was murdered.

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

Lao She FAQ

How many books has Lao She written?
Lao She published 3 novels and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Lao She's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Cat Country.
What is Lao She's last book?
Four Generations Under One Roof (1944).
What is Lao She's most famous book?
Cat Country (1932) is Lao She's most widely read book.
Does Lao She write under a pen name?
Yes: Lao She has also published as 老舍.
Which Lao She books have been adapted?
1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including Rickshaw Boy (film, 1982).

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.