Varlam Shalamov published 1 novel and 2 short story collections, beginning with Kolyma Tales (1978).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Varlam Shalamov
Start here
Kolyma Tales
Varlam Shalamov's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Vishera (1998)
Short story collections in order
The Kolyma Tales (1973)
Kolyma Tales (1978)
About Varlam Shalamov
Varlam Tikhonovich Shalamov, baptized as Varlaam, was a Russian writer, journalist, poet, and Gulag survivor. He spent much of the period from 1937 to 1951 imprisoned in forced-labor camps in the Arctic region of Kolyma, due in part to his support of Leon Trotsky and praise of writer Ivan Bunin. In 1946, near death, he became a medical assistant while still a prisoner. He remained in that role for the duration of his sentence, then for another two years after being released, until 1953.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Varlam Shalamov FAQ
- How many books has Varlam Shalamov written?
- Varlam Shalamov published 1 novel and 2 short story collections that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Varlam Shalamov's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Kolyma Tales.
- What is Varlam Shalamov's last book?
- Kolyma Tales (1978).
- What is Varlam Shalamov's most famous book?
- Kolyma Tales (1978) is Varlam Shalamov's most widely read book.
Authors like Varlam Shalamov
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.