The Greatest Swiss Literature
This selection of Swiss literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in Switzerland and around the world.
The Greatest Swiss Literature focuses on the country's major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, long poetry and collections. You may also be interested in The Greatest German Literature, The Greatest French Literature or The Greatest Italian Literature.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: July 24, 2025
The 33 greatest works of Swiss literature
1349
The Jewel
by Ulrich Boner, Switzerland
Story collection
1761
Julie; or, The New Heloise
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Switzerland
Novel
1762
Emile, or On Education
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Switzerland
Novel
1812
Swiss Family Robinson
by Johann David Wyss, Switzerland
Novel
1816
Adolphe
by Benjamin Constant, Switzerland
Novel
1842
The Black Spider
by Jeremias Gotthelf, Switzerland
Novella
1855
Green Henry
by Gottfried Keller, Switzerland
Novel
1880–1881
Heidi
by Johanna Spyri, Switzerland
Novel
1900–1905
Olympian Spring
by Carl Spitteler, Switzerland
Epic poem
1906
Imago
by Carl Spitteler, Switzerland
Novel
1909
Jakob von Gunten
by Robert Walser, Switzerland
Novel, subtitled A Diary, also known as Institute Benjamenta
1919
Demian: The Story of Emil Sinclair's Youth
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novel
1922
Siddhartha
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novella
1927
Steppenwolf
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novel, originally Der Steppenwolf
1930
Solal of the Solals
by Albert Cohen, Switzerland
Novel
Narziss and Goldmund
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novel, originally Narziß und Goldmund
1932
Journey to the East
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novella
1939
Love in the Western World
by Denis de Rougemont, Switzerland
Novel
1945
The Glass Bead Game
by Herman Hesse, Switzerland
Novel, also known as Magister Ludi, originally Das Glasperlenspiel
1950
The Judge and His Hangman
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Switzerland
Novel
1953
The Fire Raiser
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Play
1954
I'm Not Stiller
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Novel, also known as Stiller
1956
The Visit
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Switzerland
Play
1957
The Physicists
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Switzerland
Play
Homo Faber
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Novel
1958
The Pledge: Requiem for the Detective Novel
by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Switzerland
Novella
1968
Belle du Seigneur
by Albert Cohen, Switzerland
Novel
1975
Montauk
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Novel
1979
Man in the Holocene
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Novel
1979
Man in the Holocene
by Max Frisch, Switzerland
Novel
1998
The White Masai
by Corinne Hofmann, Switzerland
Novel, originally Die weisse Massai
2009
Seven Years
by Peter Stamm, Switzerland
Novel
2016
The Dead
by Christian Kracht, Switzerland
Novel
