Rainer Werner Fassbinder books in order
German filmmaker, playwright and actor
- Lived
- 1945–1982
- Country
- West Germany
- Books
- 3
- Also writes as
- Franz Walsch, Franz Walsh, Franz Walsz
Rainer Werner Fassbinder published 2 plays and 1 other book, beginning with The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1984).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Start here
The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant
Rainer Werner Fassbinder's most-read book.
Plays in order
The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1984)
Rainer Werner Fassbinder (1985)
Other books in order
Chaos as Usual (1997)
Film and TV adaptations
- The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (1972)Film · from The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant
- Peter von Kant (2022)Film · from The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant
About Rainer Werner Fassbinder
Rainer Werner Fassbinder, sometimes credited as R. W. Fassbinder, was a German filmmaker, dramatist and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures and catalysts of the New German Cinema movement. He directed over 40 films that span a variety of genres; frequently his work blends elements of Hollywood melodrama with social criticism and avant-garde techniques. His films, according to him, explored "the exploitability of feelings". His work was deeply rooted in post-war German culture: the aftermath of Nazism, the German economic miracle and the Red Army Faction. Early on, Fassbinder focused on marginalized figures in the city—migrant workers, prisoners, and gay people. He worked with a company of actors and technicians who frequently appeared in his projects.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Rainer Werner Fassbinder FAQ
- How many books has Rainer Werner Fassbinder written?
- Rainer Werner Fassbinder published 2 plays and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Rainer Werner Fassbinder's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant.
- What is Rainer Werner Fassbinder's last book?
- The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1984).
- What is Rainer Werner Fassbinder's most famous book?
- The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (1984) is Rainer Werner Fassbinder's most widely read book.
- Does Rainer Werner Fassbinder write under a pen name?
- Yes: Rainer Werner Fassbinder has also published as Franz Walsch, Franz Walsh and Franz Walsz.
- Which Rainer Werner Fassbinder books have been adapted?
- 1 book has been adapted for film or TV, including The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant (film, 1972).
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.