Orson Welles books in order
American actor and filmmaker
- Lived
- 1915–1985
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 7
Orson Welles published 2 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books, 1 play and 1 other book, beginning with Magic as a Hobby (1948). The best-known is The Trial (1970).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Orson Welles
Start here
The Trial
Orson Welles's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Magic as a Hobby (1948)
Mr. Arkadin (1956)
Novellas in order
Moby Dick--rehearsed (1965)
Non-fiction in order
Orson Welles on Shakespeare (1990)
This Is Orson Welles (Sep 1992), with Peter Bogdanovich
Plays in order
The Trial (1970)
Other books in order
Les Bravades (1996)
About Orson Welles
George Orson Welles was an American actor and filmmaker. Remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre, he is considered among the greatest and most influential filmmakers of all time.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Orson Welles FAQ
- How many books has Orson Welles written?
- Orson Welles published 2 novels, 1 novella, 2 non-fiction books, 1 play and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Orson Welles's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Trial.
- What is Orson Welles's last book?
- Moby Dick--rehearsed (1965).
- What is Orson Welles's most famous book?
- The Trial (1970) is Orson Welles's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.