Sigrid Nunez
Sigrid Nunez has published 13 books across 3 series. The recommended reading order starts with A Feather on the Breath of God (1995).
Sigrid Nunez is an American author who received the 2018 National Book Award for The Friend, a novel that also earned her a Rome Prize in Literature, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Windham-Campbell Literature Prize. She writes novels that explore language, memory, identity, class, and writing itself. Born in New York City to a German mother and a Chinese-Panamanian father, Nunez drew on her family's lives for her first novel, A Feather on the Breath of God, published in 1995. She has since written eight more novels, including The Last of Her Kind, What Are You Going Through, and The Vulnerables, as well as the memoir Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag. Her work has been translated into 35 languages.
Alongside her writing, Nunez works as a professor in the MFA Program at Boston University, where she is the writer in residence. She has previously taught at Princeton University, Amherst College, Smith College, Columbia University, and the New School.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Anthologies
- Tags---DescriptionHeidi Julavits retells the myth of Orpheus and Euridice in "xo Orpheus," a contemporary reimagining of ancient tales. The collection itself signals a departure from traditional mythmaking, offering a fresh perspective on enduring stories. Within its pages, familiar mythological figures mingle with characters from Indian, Punjabi, and Inuit traditions, alongside inventive new creations. This collection presents a vibrant tapestry of the unexpected: talkative goats, a devoted cat lady, a mysterious bird woman, and a beer-drinking ogre populate these extravagantly imagined narratives. A squid falls in love with the sun, and a girl gives birth to cubs. These bracingly contemporary stories herald a new beginning for one of the world's oldest literary traditions, inviting readers to explore the enduring power of myth through a modern lens.Publication date24 September 2013Amazon rating4.2/5Print length576LanguageEnglishPublisherPenguin
- TagschildrenDescriptionThe conversation around having children has shifted. From a supposed fertility crisis and the pressure to "have it all," the focus now turns to whether children are a requirement for a fulfilling life. This collection explores that question. Thirteen writers, including Lionel Shriver, Sigrid Nunez, and Geoff Dyer, explain their choice to forgo motherhood. They offer a perspective on the pressure to be a parent and make a case for lives lived beyond it. Here, those who are childless by choice step into the light.Publication dateMarch 31, 2015Amazon rating4.3/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherPicador
- Tags---DescriptionWithin the verdant expanse of the rainforest, a vibrant tapestry of voices emerges, woven by the Simpson Literary Project. Simpsonistas, Vol. 2, showcases the brilliant work of writers connected to this endeavor, a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Here, distinguished mid-career authors share pages with emerging talents, including young writers making their debut in print. The New Literary Project, the driving force behind this collection, champions storytellers across generations and backgrounds. From incarcerated young men and women to high school students and their creative teachers, this anthology spans a tremendous spectrum of experience. Simpson Fellows from UC Berkeley guide fledgling writers, while Jack Hazard Fellows find support for their ongoing projects. The Joyce Carol Oates Prize honors a burgeoning career with significant financial backing. This volume offers a glimpse into a world where the foundation of a literate society is built, one story at a time. It is a collection that celebrates the diverse landscape of human expression, brought together by a shared commitment to the art of narrative.Publication dateNovember 12, 2019Print length216LanguageEnglishPublisherRare Bird Books
Order of Non-Fiction Books
- Tagsbiographymemoirnon-fictionDescription“Who says we have to live like everyone else?” Sigrid Nunez, an aspiring writer, found herself living in the apartment of the legendary Susan Sontag and her son, David Rieff. Sontag, a natural mentor with a blindingly bright intelligence and edgy personal style, held an exalted view of the writer’s vocation that would profoundly influence Nunez. This intimate memoir is a startlingly truthful portrait of an outsized personality who made being an intellectual a glamorous occupation, and a deeply felt tribute to the magnetic, polarizing figure who infected those around her with her passions.Publication dateMarch 30, 2011Amazon rating4.2/5Print length140LanguageEnglishPublisherAtlas
Order of Standalone Novels
- DescriptionHer Chinese-Panamanian father and German mother met in post-war Germany before settling in New York. Growing up in a housing project in the 1950s and 1960s, she escapes into dreams, fueled by her parents' stories and her own reading, and for a time, by the otherworldly life of ballet. A yearning mother, a withdrawn father, the dance—these elements shape her imagination and her sexuality. Years later, an English instructor, she begins an affair with a Russian immigrant. As his language skills grow, he binds her to him with his deepening affections, even as his troubled past frightens her with every new revelation.Publication dateJanuary 1, 1995Amazon rating4.2/5Print length180LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
- TagsmysterysuspensethrillerDescriptionFeckless, nervous, irresolute, and often troubled with insomnia, Nona longs for a life of firm purpose and dignity, striving for the Stoic ideal of unwavering focus. But life's unpredictability and fragile relationships constantly elude her grasp. Despite a happy marriage, she flies across the country to pursue a man she barely knows and mistrusts. In the aftermath, Nona separates from her husband and begins a period of intense self-examination, all while struggling to complete a book about her painter father. Unexpected support comes from one of her father's old lovers, but her relationships with her husband and mother fray. Just as Nona finds a surer sense of herself, grave events threaten her precarious equilibrium, forcing her to confront the inescapable complexities of love, family, and the imperative question: How should she live?Publication dateJanuary 1, 1996Amazon rating4/5Print length240LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
- DescriptionIn 1934, a tiny, sickly marmoset named Mitz found a home with Leonard Woolf, who nursed her back to health. Soon, Mitz was a ubiquitous presence, a constant companion perched on Leonard’s shoulder as the Woolfs moved between their London and Sussex residences. She developed her own unique relationships with the family’s cocker spaniels and with the notable figures of Bloomsbury society, including T.S. Eliot and Vita Sackville-West. Mitz’s life unfolded against the backdrop of Bloomsbury’s twilight years, a time marked by the threat of war, personal loss, and Virginia’s struggles with her novel The Years, yet also filled with happiness and literary productivity. Sigrid Nunez reconstructs Mitz’s singular existence using historical records, revealing how the marmoset even played a vital role in helping the Woolfs escape a close call in Germany just before World War II.Publication dateApril 21, 1998Amazon rating4.4/5Print length128LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
- TagsmysterysuspensethrillerDescriptionAfter a book is published, letters arrive. So begins a haunting novel about an unlikely friendship. Decades after sharing a childhood housing project, a retired army nurse named Rouenna Zycinski seeks out the narrator, a writer. Rouenna recalls a forgotten connection, and though the narrator is initially wary, she becomes fascinated by Rouenna's stories of her life as a combat nurse in Vietnam. Rouenna asks the writer to collaborate on a memoir, a request the narrator declines. But after Rouenna's sudden death, the writer finds herself drawn to her friend's story and her friend's war. Writing Rouenna's life becomes an all-consuming necessity, a solace in the face of loss. This novel offers an unforgettable look at truth, memory, and unexpected heroism, presenting a remarkable and surprising perspective on war through the lens of a poignant friendship.Publication dateNovember 1, 2001Amazon rating4.4/5Print length208LanguageEnglishPublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux
- Tags---DescriptionGeorgette George meets Ann Drayton as freshmen at Columbia in 1968. Georgette is bewildered by her roommate's brilliance and idealism, especially Ann's fierce disdain for the privileged world she was born into, and her romanticization of the underprivileged—a class Georgette hopes college will help her escape. After a violent fight shatters their friendship, Georgette focuses on her runaway sister. But in 1976, Ann is convicted of murder. Initially, Ann's fate seems a direct consequence of her conviction that "there are no innocent white people" and her belief in a moral imperative to "make justice." Yet, as Georgette seeks to understand the friend from her youth, she uncovers more complex and shadowy forces. Narrating Ann's terrifying, doomed life, Georgette realizes how profoundly their brief, intense encounter shaped her own path, explaining why, even decades later, "I have never stopped thinking about her."Publication dateDecember 27, 2005Amazon rating4.4/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux
- Tags---DescriptionThirteen-year-old Cole Vining is the sole survivor of his family after a devastating flu pandemic has swept the globe, leaving the United States increasingly anarchic and systems we take for granted fraying at the seams. He finds refuge with an evangelical pastor and his wife in a small Indiana town they call Salvation City, a place spared much of the devastation and where residents prepare for the Rapture. Grateful for shelter and relieved to have avoided the country's overrun orphanages, Cole begins to form relationships within this new community. But as those around him grow fixated on their vision of salvation and a new life to come, Cole struggles with memories of his former world and the dreams of his own parents. He conceives of a different future for himself, one where his own aspirations for heroism might be within reach, even as he grapples with love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Can Cole forge his own path when belief and heroism are redefined around him?Publication dateSeptember 16, 2010Amazon rating3.9/5Print length288LanguageEnglishPublisherRiverhead Books
- Tags---DescriptionWhen a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane traumatized by the inexplicable disappearance of its master, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building. While others worry that grief has made her a victim of magical thinking, the woman refuses to be separated from the dog except for brief periods of time. Isolated from the rest of the world, increasingly obsessed with the dog's care, determined to read its mind and fathom its heart, she comes dangerously close to unraveling. But while troubles abound, rich and surprising rewards lie in store for both of them in this elegiac and searching story that is both a meditation on loss and a celebration of human-canine devotion.Publication dateFebruary 6, 2018Amazon rating4.1/5Print length224LanguageEnglishPublisherRiverhead Books
- TagsmysterysuspensethrillerDescriptionA woman finds herself an audience to the lives of others, a passive listener to their confessions and needs. She encounters an ex, an Airbnb owner grappling with guests, a stranger seeking comfort for his dying mother, and a childhood friend facing terminal illness. In each, she recognizes a profound urge to be heard, an impulse to share their experiences. But when one of them makes an extraordinary request, the narrator is drawn from her role as observer into an intense and transformative experience. This novel explores the meaning of life and death, the value of companionship, and the surprising ways empathy can guide one person through another's hardship, offering a moving portrait of human connection in our times.Publication dateSeptember 8, 2020Amazon rating4.1/5Print length224LanguageEnglishPublisherRiverhead Books
- Tags---DescriptionElegy plus comedy is the only way to express how we live in the world today. A solitary female narrator meditates on our contemporary era, asking what it means to be alive at this complex moment and how our present reality affects the way a person looks back on her past. Humor is a priceless refuge, as is connection with others, including an adrift member of Gen Z and a spirited parrot named Eureka. The Vulnerables reveals what happens when strangers open their hearts to each other, how far even small acts of caring can go to ease another’s distress, and probes the nature and purpose of writing itself.Publication dateNovember 7, 2023Amazon rating4/5Print length254LanguageEnglishPublisherRiverhead Books
Frequently Asked Questions about Sigrid Nunez
Sigrid Nunez’s novels are generally standalone, so a specific reading order is not necessary. However, some readers enjoy starting with her National Book Award winner, The Friend, published in 2017. Another common entry point is her debut novel, A Feather on the Breath of God, from 1995. Her memoir, Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag, offers insight into her influences and writing process. Ultimately, the best order is the one that aligns with your personal reading preferences.
A good place to start with Sigrid Nunez is with The Friend, the novel that won the 2018 National Book Award. This book showcases her distinctive voice and thematic concerns, exploring topics like literature, friendship, and mortality. Alternatively, her debut novel, A Feather on the Breath of God, published in 1995, provides an early look at her narrative style and interests. Her memoir, Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag, is also a highly regarded work that offers a different facet of her writing.
The books by Sigrid Nunez are not written as a series, and each novel generally stands on its own. This means readers do not need to follow a specific publication or chronological order to understand and appreciate her works. Many readers discover her through a single novel and then explore others, as each book offers a complete narrative experience. You can pick up any of her novels and begin reading without needing prior knowledge of other titles.
Sigrid Nunez primarily writes standalone novels. While she has edited anthologies such as xo Orpheus and Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed, her individual books are not part of a connected series. Her memoir, Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag, is also a standalone work. This approach allows readers to engage with each book independently, without the need to follow a continuing storyline or character arc across multiple titles.
Sigrid Nunez has written nine novels, including her debut A Feather on the Breath of God (1995) and her National Book Award winner The Friend (2018). She is also the author of the memoir Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag (2011). In addition to her original works, she has edited several anthologies, such as xo Orpheus (2013) and Selfish, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed (2015). Her output includes a substantial body of fiction and nonfiction.
The first book Sigrid Nunez wrote was A Feather on the Breath of God, published in 1995. This debut novel explores themes of family history and identity, drawing inspiration from her own background. It marked the beginning of her career as a novelist, establishing her distinctive narrative style and thematic interests. The book was published before she received major awards like the National Book Award for her later work.
Sigrid Nunez’s most recent novel is The Vulnerables, published in 2023. This book explores themes of connection, illness, and the passage of time, set against the backdrop of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It offers a contemporary reflection on human relationships and the challenges of navigating a world in flux. The novel continues her exploration of complex emotional landscapes and the nuances of everyday life.
Sigrid Nunez writes novels that delve into language, memory, identity, class, and the act of writing itself. Her work often explores philosophical and personal themes with a quiet intensity. While her fiction is not confined to a single genre, it frequently touches upon elements of literary fiction, psychological exploration, and introspective narrative. Her memoir, Sempre Susan: A Memoir of Susan Sontag, also showcases her keen observation and reflective prose.
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We verified the reading order for Sigrid Nunez's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Sigrid Nunez Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/sigrid-nunez