Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin books in order
Russian writer, journalist, plawright and satirist
- Lived
- 1826–1889
- Country
- Russia
- Books
- 7
- Also writes as
- Н. Щедрин, Николай Щедрин
Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin published 3 novels, 3 children's books and 1 play, beginning with Pazukhin's Death (1857). The best-known is The Golovlyov Family (1880).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin

Start here
The Golovlyov Family
Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order

The History of a Town (1870)

The Golovlyov Family (1880)

A Family of Noblemen (1917)
Children's books in order
The Story of How One Man Fed Two Generals (1869)
Wise Minnow (1883)
Liberal (1885)
Plays in order
Pazukhin's Death (1857)
About Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin
Mikhail Yevgrafovich Saltykov-Shchedrin, born Mikhail Yevgrafovich Saltykov and known during his lifetime by the pen name Nikolai Shchedrin, was a major Russian writer and satirist of the 19th century, known for his sharp criticism of slavery. He spent most of his life working as a civil servant in various capacities. After the death of poet Nikolay Nekrasov, he acted as editor of a Russian literary magazine Otechestvenniye Zapiski until the Tsarist government banned it in 1884. In his works Saltykov mastered both stark realism and satirical grotesque merged with fantasy. His most famous works, the family chronicle novel The Golovlyov Family (1880) and the novel The History of a Town (1870), also translated as Foolsburg, became important works of 19th-century fiction, and Saltykov is regarded as a major figure of Russian literary Realism.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin FAQ
- How many books has Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin written?
- Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin published 3 novels, 3 children's books and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Golovlyov Family.
- What is Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's last book?
- The Golovlyov Family (1880).
- What is Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's most famous book?
- The Golovlyov Family (1880) is Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's most widely read book.
- Does Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin write under a pen name?
- Yes: Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin has also published as Н. Щедрин and Николай Щедрин.
- Can I read Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.