Riverworld Books in Order: How to read Philip José Farmer’s series?
Philip José Farmer’s Riverworld series is one of science fiction’s most ambitious and thought-provoking sagas. Set on a mysterious planet where thirty-five billion people from Earth’s history are resurrected along a vast, winding river, the series explores themes of immortality, free will, and the search for ultimate truth. While many inhabitants accept their new existence without question, a rebellious few—historical figures and adventurers alike—set out to uncover the true purpose of Riverworld and the enigmatic beings who control it.
If you’re looking to explore this mind-bending journey, reading the Riverworld books in order is the best way to experience the full scope of Farmer’s vision. In this guide, we’ll break down the series in both publication and chronological order, helping new readers and longtime fans navigate the vast, mysterious world of Riverworld.
How to read The Riverworld Series in Order?
- To Your Scattered Bodies Go – This first book introduces the strange world of Riverworld, where every human who has ever lived is resurrected along the banks of a seemingly endless river. Among them is British explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton, who refuses to accept this new reality at face value. As he journeys along the river, encountering historical figures like Hermann Göring and Alice Liddell (the inspiration for Alice in Wonderland), Burton becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Riverworld and its mysterious overseers.
- The Fabulous Riverboat – This installment follows Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), who, like Burton, is determined to understand and escape Riverworld. He embarks on a mission to build a massive iron riverboat that will allow him and his crew to travel upstream in search of the enigmatic beings controlling their existence. Along the way, Clemens forms uneasy alliances, including one with the Viking king Eric Bloodaxe, and must navigate both technological and political challenges in this strange afterlife.
- The Dark Design – As Burton continues his quest, he joins forces with others who are beginning to uncover the secrets of Riverworld. Meanwhile, Clemens’ riverboat finally embarks on its journey, but new conflicts arise. The story expands to include Jill Gulbirra, a 20th-century aeronautical engineer, who builds an airship to aid in the search for the powerful beings behind the creation of Riverworld. This book deepens the mystery as factions form and new revelations come to light.
- Riverworld and Other Stories – Short story collection. Contains the novelette Riverworld, which follows Tom Mix, a silent-film star originally from early-twentieth-century Earth, in search of familiar faces from his own time.
- The Magic Labyrinth – The long-awaited confrontation with the creators of Riverworld finally draws near as Burton, Clemens, and their allies reach the source of the river. Their perilous journey leads them to a hidden tower where the truth about the afterlife experiment is revealed. Loyalties are tested, battles erupt, and the fate of every resurrected soul hangs in the balance as Farmer delivers the long-anticipated answers.
- Riverworld War – Contains two stories. One of them is a chapter that was cut from the Riverworld novel The Magic Labyrinth.
- Gods of Riverworld – With the ultimate truth of Riverworld uncovered, Burton and his surviving companions must decide what to do with their newfound knowledge. They gain access to the tower that controls Riverworld’s resurrection process, only to find themselves at odds with one another—and with the remaining powerful overseers who still seek to manipulate humanity’s fate. This final novel ties up the series’ mysteries while exploring the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of playing god over billions of souls.
- River of Eternity – This can be considered a bonus. It is an earlier version of Riverworld, which formed the basis for the five novels in Farmer’s series.
- Tales of Riverworld – A collection of stories based on Farmer’s world.
- Quest to Riverworld – Short stories about Riverworld that are mostly written by other writers.
Similar Book Series to Read After Riverworld
If you enjoyed Riverworld, check out other mind-bending sci-fi sagas like The Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons or The Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe for more epic journeys through time, space, and the unknown!
