What order should I read Nelson Algren's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Man with the Golden Arm.

What is Nelson Algren's most famous book?

The Man with the Golden Arm (1949) is Nelson Algren's most widely read book.

Which Nelson Algren books have been adapted?

1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Man with the Golden Arm (film, 1955).

Nelson Algren books in order

American novelist, short story writer

Lived: 1909–1981
Country: United States
Books: 12

Literary fiction

Nelson Algren published 7 novels, 1 novella, 3 short story collections and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with The Man with the Golden Arm (1949).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Nelson Algren

Start here
The Man with the Golden Arm
Nelson Algren's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

Never Come Morning (1948)
310 pages
Buy
The Man with the Golden Arm (Nov 1949)
365 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
A Walk on the Wild Side (1956)
346 pages
Buy
Who Lost an American? (1963)
337 pages
Buy
Somebody in Boots (1964)
256 pages
Buy
Notes from a Sea Diary (1965)
254 pages
Buy
The Devil's Stocking (1983)
308 pages
Buy

Novellas in order

Nonconformity (1996)
130 pages
Buy

Short story collections in order

The Neon Wilderness (1947)
286 pages
Buy
The Last Carousel (1973)
435 pages
Buy
The Texas Stories of Nelson Algren (1995)
159 pages
Buy

Non-fiction in order

Chicago, City Onthe Make (1951)
113 pages
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)Film · from The Man with the Golden Arm

About Nelson Algren

Nelson Algren was an American writer. His 1949 novel The Man with the Golden Arm won the National Book Award and was adapted as the 1955 film of the same name.

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

Nelson Algren FAQ

How many books has Nelson Algren written?: Nelson Algren published 7 novels, 1 novella, 3 short story collections and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Nelson Algren's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Man with the Golden Arm.
What is Nelson Algren's last book?: The Devil's Stocking (1983).
What is Nelson Algren's most famous book?: The Man with the Golden Arm (1949) is Nelson Algren's most widely read book.
Which Nelson Algren books have been adapted?: 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Man with the Golden Arm (film, 1955).