Vladimir Nabokov books in order
Russian-American novelist, lepidopterist, professor
- Lived
- 1899–1977
- Country
- Russia
- Books
- 37
- Also writes as
- Владимир Сирин
Vladimir Nabokov published 22 novels, 3 novellas, 6 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books, 3 poetry collections and 1 play, beginning with The Eye (1930). The best-known is Lolita (1955).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Vladimir Nabokov
Start here
Lolita
Vladimir Nabokov's most-read book, rated by 113 Open Library readers.
Shortest way in
The Eye
One of the most-read, at about 112 pages.
Standalone novels in order
Mary (1926)
King, Queen, Knave (1928)
The Defense (1930)
Glory (1932)
Laughter in the Dark (Dec 1933)
Despair (1934)
Invitation to a Beheading (1935)
The Gift (1938)
Solus Rex (1940)
The Real Life of Sebastian Knight (1941)
Nikolaj Gogol' (1944)
Bend Sinister (1947)
Lolita (1955)
Pnin (1957)
Pale Fire (Apr 1962)
Ada or Ardor: A Family Chronicle (1969)
Look at the Harlequins! (1974)
Lectures on Literature (1980)
Lectures on Russian Literature (1981)
The Man from the USSR and Other Plays (1984)
Vladimir Nabokov (1989)
The Original of Laura (Nov 2009)
Novellas in order
The Eye (1930)
Transparent Things (Oct 1972)
The Enchanter (1986)
Short story collections in order
Vozvrashchenie Chorba (1930)
Speak, Memory (1951)
Dozen (1956)
A Russian Beauty and Other Stories (1973)
Details of a Sunset and Other Stories (1976)
The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov (Oct 1995)
Non-fiction in order
Nikolai Gogol (1944)
Strong Opinions (1973)
Poetry in order
The Song of Igor's Campaign (1949)
Poems (1959)
Poems and Problems (McGraw-Hill Paperbacks) (1970)
Plays in order
The Waltz Invention (1938)
Film and TV adaptations
- Maschenka (1987)Film · from Mary
- King, Queen, Knave (1972)Film · from King, Queen, Knave
- The Luzhin Defence (2000)Film · from The Defense
- Laughter in the Dark (1969)Film · from Laughter in the Dark
- Despair (1978)Film · from Despair
- Lolita (1962)Film · from Lolita
- Lolita (1997)Film · from Lolita
About Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Vladimirovich Nabokov, also known by the pen name Vladimir Sirin, was a Russian and American novelist, poet, translator, and entomologist.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Vladimir Nabokov FAQ
- How many books has Vladimir Nabokov written?
- Vladimir Nabokov published 22 novels, 3 novellas, 6 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books, 3 poetry collections and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Vladimir Nabokov's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Lolita.
- What is Vladimir Nabokov's last book?
- Details of a Sunset and Other Stories (1976).
- What is Vladimir Nabokov's most famous book?
- Lolita (1955) is Vladimir Nabokov's most widely read book.
- Does Vladimir Nabokov write under a pen name?
- Yes: Vladimir Nabokov has also published as Владимир Сирин.
- Which Vladimir Nabokov books have been adapted?
- 6 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Mary (as Maschenka, film, 1987), King, Queen, Knave (film, 1972), The Defense (as The Luzhin Defence, film, 2000) and Laughter in the Dark (film, 1969).
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Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.