Mao Dun books in order
Chinese writer
- Lived
- 1896–1981
- Country
- People's Republic of China
- Books
- 5
Mao Dun published 4 novels and 1 short story collection, beginning with Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930 (1933). The best-known is Zi Ye (1957).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Mao Dun
Start here
Zi Ye
Mao Dun's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Midnight: A Romance of China, 1930 (1933)
Zi Ye (1957)
Lin Jai Bu Zi Chun Cong ('The Shop of the Lin Family Spring Silkworms' in Simplified Chinese Characters/English) (1958)
Midnight (1979)
Short story collections in order
Spring Silkworms, and Other Stories (1956)
About Mao Dun
Shen Dehong, best known by the pen name of Mao Dun, was a Chinese novelist, essayist, journalist, playwright, and literary and cultural critic. He was highly celebrated for his realist novels, including Midnight, which depicts life in cosmopolitan Shanghai. Mao was one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party and participated in a number of left-wing cultural movements during the 1920s and 1930s. He was the editor-in-chief of Fiction Monthly and helped lead the League of Left-Wing Writers. He formed a strong friendship with fellow left-wing Chinese author Lu Xun. From 1949 to 1965, Mao served as the first Minister of Culture in the People's Republic of China.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Mao Dun FAQ
- How many books has Mao Dun written?
- Mao Dun published 4 novels and 1 short story collection that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Mao Dun's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Zi Ye.
- What is Mao Dun's last book?
- Midnight (1979).
- What is Mao Dun's most famous book?
- Zi Ye (1957) is Mao Dun's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.