Viriconium books in order

The complete reading order for the Viriconium series by M. John Harrison, a dying earth fantasy sequence set in an ancient, decaying city.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Pastel City 1971 M. John Harrison Buy
2 Viriconium 1971 M. John Harrison N/A
3 A Storm of Wings 1980 M. John Harrison Buy
4 In Viriconium 1982 M. John Harrison N/A
5 The Floating Gods / In Viriconium 1982 M. John Harrison Buy
6 Viriconium Nights 1984 M. John Harrison Buy

The Viriconium series is set in a city of the same name, located in the far future of Earth when previous civilizations have risen and fallen many times over. The sequence begins with The Pastel City (1971), which is the most conventionally plotted of the books, and grows increasingly experimental with each installment.

Harrison wrote the Viriconium books over more than a decade, and the series includes both novels and short stories collected in Viriconium Nights. The books are considered an important influence on the New Weird literary movement.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Viriconium series?

There are six books in the Viriconium series, published between 1971 and 1984.

What is the first book in the Viriconium series?

The first book in the Viriconium series is The Pastel City, published in 1971.

Is the Viriconium series traditional fantasy?

No, the Viriconium series deliberately resists traditional fantasy conventions. Harrison has said the city changes between books and cannot be mapped. The series is closer to literary fiction with fantasy elements than to conventional epic fantasy.

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