Jeanette Winterson Books In Order

Publication Order of Tanglewreck Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Picture Books

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Hogarth Shakespeare Books

Publication Order of Canongate's The Myths Books

Publication Order of Forward Books of Poetry Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Jeanette Winterson

Known for being a versatile and outspoken author, Jeanette Winterson is a British novelist who writes in a whole variety of different styles. Creative and intelligent, she really sets herself apart with her unique and incisive brand of fiction that immediately gets to the point on many different issues. Exploring ideas of identity, gender, and sexuality, she really is an uncompromising voice when it comes to the forward thinking fiction. Not only that, but she’s amassed a large following of readers worldwide, becoming a hugely influential household name for many.

From science-fiction and horror to children’s literature and journalism, she’s a writer known for the huge scope and range of her work. Letting her stories essentially speak for themselves, she brings them to life upon the page, allowing readers to really lose themselves within them. Appreciated by both the critics and the public alike, she’s a hugely successful bestselling author both nationally as well as internationally. Resonating with readers from all backgrounds, she manages to reach out with her words and her work, speaking in a manner that is direct and to the point.

Characterizations is also a gift of Wintersons, in that she populates her novels with realistic characters and personalities. This skill of hers is another factor that her many readers have come to appreciate greatly over the years, reaching readers from all over. Not afraid to confront any issue, she never shies away from certain topics either, dealing with them head-on in a clear and concise manner. She is a writer who will continue to make a name for herself, as her legacy carries on growing day-by-day all over the world.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1959 on the 27th of August, she was born in Manchester, England, before being adopted in 1960 on the 21st of January. Growing up in Accrington, Lancashire, she was raised in the Pentecostal church to become a missionary, before coming out as lesbian at sixteen and leaving home. These experiences would come to influence much of literature, as she would later to come to write about them, continuing to write regularly.

Attending Accrington and Rossendale College after leaving home, she would soon go on to attend Oxford University, where she would study English. Her education would then pave the way to her literary career, as she would go on to make a name for herself, winning numerous awards in the process. Currently living in Gloucestershire, she continues to write to this very day, with lots more books planned for release on the horizon.

Writing Career

In1985 Jeanette Winterson would publish her first novel ‘Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit,’ which she would write after moving to London. A semi-autobiographical account of her life up to that point, she would win the Whitbread Prize that same year, seeing it adapted for television in 1990. Going on to explore a whole range of different themes in her work, she would look at everything from gender to sexual identity.

Seeing adaptations for the stage as well, her work would go on to be appreciated in a variety of different formats and mediums. Often speaking on the radio, she would on the BBC Bookclub, becoming a regular guest on several different shows, speaking on a range of subjects. Working at the University of Manchester, she’s currently the professor of creative writing there, having taken up the position previously held by Colm Tóibín.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

First arriving through the ‘Grove Press’ publishing imprint, this would mark Jeanette Winterson’s big literary debut. Published on the 21st of March back in 1985, it would be a stand-alone title with an entirely self-contained narrative. It’s accessible to most ages with some adult content, and is simple to read, being written in a straightforward style that’s both clear and concise.

Brought up by her adopted mother as one of God’s elect, Jeanette is both passionate and zealous, as she’s heading for a life as a missionary. After falling for one of her converts though, she leaves the church at just sixteen, putting her family and her home as she knew it behind her. All of this she does for the woman she loves, looking ahead to the future, dealing with the new changes she must face. Using her own life as the basis for this novel, Jeanette Winterson creates a semi-autobiographical work that marks her debut on the literary scene.

This book would really have an impact upon its release, winning awards and gaining Winterson a place in the literary establishment. It’s also been adapted for the television, which would also be well received in 1990 with the BBC show making a powerful impact of its own. The story is well told with characters that really resonate, making it an important and highly insightful piece of work.

Lighthousekeeping

Originally being released on the 3rd of April in 2006, this would come out through the ‘Mariner Books’ publishing label. A stand-alone novel, it sets itself apart in that it’s entirely unique and idiosyncratic Jeanette Winterson, saying just what she wants to say. It’s a story that’s fairly easy to pick up, being available to most ages, although there is some adult content, but not too much.

Taking in the orphan girl Silver, Mr. Pew is a mysterious lighthouse keeper looks after her upon the Scottish coastline. Telling her stories of Babel Dark, he tells her of the life of a nineteenth-century clergyman who has a public life that dark, and private life that’s light and filled with love. Silver uses this story to chart her own life and development, learning about the world, as she comes to understand the world beyond. The journey is mapped ahead of her, allowing her to find her own way in the world, learning everything about the life of lighthousekeeping.

It’s a lyrical and beautifully told story that really evokes a series of highly vivid and creative visuals that instantly draw the reader in. The reader is immersed in the world Silver, giving an insight into her life and the true power of storytelling and what it actually means. A transformative piece of work, it is truly singular to Winterson, as she provide another award winning novel that speaks direct to her audience.