Mordecai Richler remains one of Canada’s most beloved—and deliciously controversial—writers. With his razor-sharp wit, unflinching portrayals of Jewish Montreal life, and fearless satire of Canadian identity, politics, and hypocrisy, Richler’s novels continue to captivate new generations of readers.
Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting St. Urbain Street or a newcomer wondering where to start with this literary giant, this complete Mordecai Richler books-in-order guide will help you navigate his brilliant (and often hilarious) body of work.
Who Was Mordecai Richler?
Born in 1931 in Montreal’s Mile End neighborhood, Richler grew up in the heart of the working-class Jewish community he would later immortalize. After a brief stint in Europe in the 1950s (where he wrote his early novels), he returned to Canada and became a towering figure in CanLit—while simultaneously infuriating nationalists with his biting critiques.
He wrote 10 adult novels, several children’s books (the beloved Jacob Two-Two series), essay collections, screenplays (including the adaptation of The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz), and countless magazine pieces. Richler passed away in 2001, but his voice feels as fresh and irreverent as ever.
List Of Mordecai Richler Books In Order by Year
Explore the complete list of Rohinton Mistry books in order by year, including his celebrated novels and short story collections. This helpful guide covers publication timelines, summaries, and essential reading order for fans and new readers. Discover Mistry’s powerful storytelling, rich characters, and award-winning works in one place to enhance your literary journey and reading experience.
| # | Year | Title | Series / Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1954 | The Acrobats | Standalone adult novel | Debut novel, set in Spain |
| 2 | 1955 | Son of a Smaller Hero | Standalone adult novel | Semi-autobiographical, Montreal Jewish life |
| 3 | 1957 | A Choice of Enemies | Standalone adult novel | Cold War themes, set in London |
| 4 | 1959 | The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz | Standalone adult novel | His breakthrough masterpiece |
| 5 | 1963 | The Incomparable Atuk | Standalone adult novel | Satire (originally published as Stick Your Neck Out in some editions) |
| 6 | 1968 | Cocksure | Standalone adult novel | Governor General’s Award winner |
| 7 | 1971 | St. Urbain’s Horseman | Standalone adult novel | Often considered his finest work |
| 8 | 1980 | Joshua Then and Now | Standalone adult novel | Semi-autobiographical |
| 9 | 1989 | Solomon Gursky Was Here | Standalone adult novel | Epic multi-generational saga |
| 10 | 1997 | Barney’s Version | Standalone adult novel | His last and most popular novel |
Jacob Two-Two Children’s Series (in order)
| # | Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1975 | Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang | First children’s book |
| 2 | 1987 | Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur | |
| 3 | 1995 | Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case | Final Jacob Two-Two book |
Non-Fiction / Essays / Short Stories (selected major works)
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Hunting Tigers Under Glass | Essays |
| 1984 | Home Sweet Home: My Canadian Album | Essays |
| 1992 | Oh Canada! Oh Quebec! | Polemical non-fiction |
| 1994 | This Year in Jerusalem | Travel/memoir |
| 2004 | Dispatches from the Sporting Life | Essays (posthumous) |
Mordecai Richler Books in Publication Order (Adult Novels)
Here is every Mordecai Richler novel in the order they were published:
- The Acrobats (1954) is Richler’s debut, written when he was just 23. Set in post-war Spain, it follows a young Canadian searching for meaning among expats and anarchists. Raw, ambitious, and very much a first novel—but you can already spot the trademark Richler cynicism.
- Son of a Smaller Hero (1955) A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in Montreal’s Jewish ghetto. Noah Adler rebels against his traditional family and the suffocating expectations of the community. Darker and more personal than people expect.
- A Choice of Enemies (1957) Another Europe-set novel about Canadian expats, Cold War paranoia, and moral compromise. Often overlooked, but fans love its tense atmosphere.
- The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (1959) ★★★★★ The big one. The book that made Richler famous. Ruthless, ambitious Duddy schemes his way from St. Urbain Street to land ownership in the Laurentians. Funny, heartbreaking, and one of the greatest Canadian novels ever written.
- The Incomparable Atuk (1963) A savage satire about an Inuit poet who becomes a celebrity in Toronto—and gets devoured by the media machine. Short, vicious, and laugh-out-loud brutal.
- Cocksure (1968) won the Governor General’s Award (then Richler promptly mocked the literary establishment). A wild sex-and-power farce about a mild-mannered editor caught in swinging-60s London chaos. Outrageous and still shocking.
- St. Urbain’s Horseman (1971). Many consider this Richler’s masterpiece. Jake Hersh, a successful Canadian director in London, obsesses over his cousin Joey—the mythical “Horseman” who supposedly hunts Nazis in South America. Profound, funny, and deeply moving.
- Joshua Then and Now (1980) Another semi-autobiographical triumph. Joshua Shapiro, a Jewish-Canadian writer and TV personality, looks back on his wild life—from 1950s Montreal to present-day scandal. Later adapted into a film starring James Woods.
- Solomon Gursky Was Here (1989) A sprawling, multi-generational epic about the mythical Gursky family (think Bronfmans meets magical realism). Moses Berger spends his life trying to unravel the truth about the enigmatic Solomon. Richler’s most ambitious—and many say best—work.
- Barney’s Version (1997) The novel that introduced Richler to a whole new audience (thanks in part to the 2010 film with Paul Giamatti). Cranky, unreliable Barney Panofsky narrates his three marriages, his career, and the murder he may (or may not) have committed. Hilarious, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
The Jacob Two-Two Children’s Books (Perfect for All Ages)
Richler wrote three delightful children’s novels starring the youngest of six siblings,—who has to say everything twice because nobody listens the first time:
- Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang (1975)
- Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur (1987)
- Jacob Two-Two’s First Spy Case (1995)
These are witty, imaginative, and surprisingly subversive—classic Richler in kid-friendly form.
Recommended Reading Orders
Option 1: Publication Order (Recommended for First-Timers)
Just go straight through the adult list above. You’ll watch Richler’s style evolve from earnest young writer to confident master.
Option 2: Start With the Classics (The “Greatest Hits” Route)
If you want the absolute best first:
- The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
- Barney’s Version
- St. Urbain’s Horseman or Solomon Gursky Was Here
- Then work backward and forward.
Option 3: Montreal-Centric Journey
Richler’s love/hate letter to his hometown:
- Son of a Smaller Hero
- The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
- St. Urbain’s Horseman
- Joshua Then and Now
- Barney’s Version
Final Thoughts: Why Read Mordecai Richler in 2025?
Because nobody roasted sacred cows quite like him. Because his portraits of Jewish family life are warm, vicious, and achingly recognizable. Because he was unafraid to be politically incorrect, cranky, and profoundly humane—all at once.
Richler reminds us that great literature doesn’t have to be polite. Sometimes it just has to be honest.
So grab a smoked meat sandwich, pour yourself a shot of something strong, and dive into St. Urbain Street. Mordecai is waiting—and he’s got opinions.
Which Richler novel is your favorite? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your take! And if you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow book lover. Happy reading! 📚