How many books has Robert Merle written?

Robert Merle published 16 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Robert Merle's books in?

Read each series in its own order: start Fortune de France with The Brethren. The other books stand alone and can be read in any order.

What is Robert Merle's most famous book?

Malevil (1972) is Robert Merle's most widely read book.

Are Robert Merle's books connected?

5 books belong to 1 series (Fortune de France); the other 12 books stand alone.

Which Robert Merle books have been adapted?

4 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Week-end at Zuydcoote (as Weekend at Dunkirk, film, 1964), Death Is My Trade (film, 1977), The Day of the Dolphin (film, 1973) and Malevil (film, 1981).

Robert Merle books in order

French writer

Lived: 1908–2004
Country: France
Books: 17
Series: 1

Literary fiction

Robert Merle published 16 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Malevil (1972). The series is Fortune de France (5 books, starting with The Brethren).

Updated September 2026

Fortune de France books in order (5)Series page

Reading order: 1 The Brethren (1977) · 2 City of Wisdom and Blood (1979) · 3 Heretic Dawn (1980) · 4 League of Spies (1982) · 13 Love and the Sword (2004)

1.
The Brethren (1977)
442 pages
Buy
2.
City of Wisdom and Blood (1979)
513 pages
Buy
3.
Heretic Dawn (1980)
Buy
4.
League of Spies (1982)
Buy
13.
Love and the Sword (2004)
Buy

Where to start with Robert Merle

Start here
Malevil
Robert Merle's most-read book.

Standalone novels in order

Week-end at Zuydcoote (1949)
255 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Death Is My Trade (1952)
369 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
The Island (1964)
484 pages
Buy
Ahmed Ben Bella (1965)
172 pages
Buy
The Day of the Dolphin (1967)
322 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Behind the Glass (1970)
379 pages
Buy
Malevil (1972)
583 pagesAdapted for film
Buy
Les Hommes Protégés (1974)
Buy
The Virility Factor (1974)
344 pages
Buy
Vittoria (1990)
537 pages
Buy
The Brethren: Fortunes of France (2015)
416 pages
Buy

Non-fiction in order

Oscar Wilde (1948)
450 pages
Buy

Film and TV adaptations

Weekend at Dunkirk (1964)Film · from Week-end at Zuydcoote
Death is My Trade (1977)Film · from Death Is My Trade
The Day of the Dolphin (1973)Film · from The Day of the Dolphin
Malevil (1981)Film · from Malevil

About Robert Merle

Robert Merle was a French novelist.

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

Robert Merle FAQ

How many books has Robert Merle written?: Robert Merle published 16 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Robert Merle's books in?: Read each series in its own order: start Fortune de France with The Brethren. The other books stand alone and can be read in any order.
What is Robert Merle's last book?: Love and the Sword (2004).
What is Robert Merle's most famous book?: Malevil (1972) is Robert Merle's most widely read book.
Are Robert Merle's books connected?: 5 books belong to 1 series (Fortune de France); the other 12 books stand alone.
Which Robert Merle books have been adapted?: 4 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Week-end at Zuydcoote (as Weekend at Dunkirk, film, 1964), Death Is My Trade (film, 1977), The Day of the Dolphin (film, 1973) and Malevil (film, 1981).