How many books has Peter Shaffer written?

Peter Shaffer published 11 plays and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Peter Shaffer's books in?

Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Amadeus.

What is Peter Shaffer's most famous book?

Amadeus (1980) is Peter Shaffer's most widely read book.

Which Peter Shaffer books have been adapted?

3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including The Royal Hunt of the Sun (film, 1969), Equus (film, 1977) and Amadeus (film, 1984).

Peter Shaffer books in order

English playwright and screenwriter

Lived: 1926–2016
Country: United Kingdom
Books: 15

Peter Shaffer published 11 plays and 4 other books, beginning with The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964). The best-known is Amadeus (1980).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Peter Shaffer

Start here
Amadeus
Peter Shaffer's most-read book.

Plays in order

Five Finger Exercise (1958)
96 pages
Buy
The Private Ear (1962)
50 pages
Buy
The Public Eye (1962)
52 pages
Buy
The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964)
106 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Black Comedy (1965)
61 pages
Buy
Black Comedy, Including White Lies (1967)
123 pages
Buy
White Liars (1967)
70 pages
Buy
Equus (1973)
108 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Amadeus (1980)
122 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Lettice and Lovage (1988)
100 pages
Buy
The Gift of the Gorgon (1993)
97 pages
Buy

Other books in order

Shrivings (1974)
105 pages
Buy
The Collected Plays of Peter Shaffer (1982)
558 pages
Buy
Lettice & Lovage (1990)
100 pages
Buy
The Woman in the Wardrobe (2020)
271 pages
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969)Film · from The Royal Hunt of the Sun
Equus (1977)Film · from Equus
Amadeus (1984)Film · from Amadeus
AmadeusTV · from Amadeus

About Peter Shaffer

Sir Peter Levin Shaffer was an English playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. His best-known works are the plays Equus (1973) and Amadeus (1979), both of which earned him the Tony Award for Best Play. They were later adapted for the screen by Shaffer himself in 1977 and 1984, respectively. He was nominated for an Academy Award for both screenplays, winning for Amadeus, which also earned him a Golden Globe Award. Shaffer also earned nominations for two BAFTA Awards and a Laurence Olivier Award.

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

Peter Shaffer FAQ

How many books has Peter Shaffer written?: Peter Shaffer published 11 plays and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Peter Shaffer's books in?: Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Amadeus.
What is Peter Shaffer's last book?: The Gift of the Gorgon (1993).
What is Peter Shaffer's most famous book?: Amadeus (1980) is Peter Shaffer's most widely read book.
Which Peter Shaffer books have been adapted?: 3 books have been adapted for film or TV, including The Royal Hunt of the Sun (film, 1969), Equus (film, 1977) and Amadeus (film, 1984).

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