Anonymous novels
The anonymous novel runs from Lazarillo de Tormes to last decade. Debuts, dangerous satire, and erotica dominate: the forms of fiction where a name was a liability.
29 works.
- Later revealed
Brother Jonathan: or, the New Englanders
John Neal's 1825 novel of New England life, published anonymously in Edinburgh. The attribution to Neal is documented in scholarship on the author.
- Later revealed
Logan
John Neal's 1822 Gothic novel of frontier violence and revenge, published anonymously in Baltimore. The attribution is documented in Neal scholarship.
- Disputed
Romance of Lust
The four volume Victorian erotic novel of 1873 to 1876, published anonymously. Attributed variously to Edward Sellon or William Simpson Potter; unresolved.
- Still unknown
Lazarillo de Tormes
The 1554 Spanish novella that founded the picaresque, published anonymously to dodge the Inquisition. Despite centuries of candidates, its author remains unknown.
- Still unknown
Vertue Rewarded
A 1693 Irish novel of love and virtue during the Williamite war, published anonymously and never attributed.
- Later revealed
Dream of the Red Chamber
China's great eighteenth century novel of the Jia family's rise and fall, circulated anonymously in manuscript. Cao Xueqin's authorship was established by modern scholarship.
- Later revealed
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley's 1818 novel of the scientist and his creature, published anonymously with a preface by Percy Shelley. Her name appeared on the 1823 second edition.
- Later revealed
Seventy-Six
John Neal's 1823 novel of the Revolutionary War, credited on its title page to 'the author of Logan'. The attribution to Neal is documented.
- Disputed
The String of Pearls
The 1846 to 1847 penny dreadful that created Sweeney Todd. Authorship is divided by scholars between James Malcolm Rymer and Thomas Peckett Prest.
- Later revealed
Under the Greenwood Tree
Thomas Hardy's 1872 idyll of the Mellstock parish choir, his second published novel, issued anonymously. Later editions carried his name.
- Later revealed
Democracy
The 1880 satirical novel of Washington power and corruption, published anonymously. Henry Adams's authorship was kept secret until after his death.
- Still unknown
The Way of a Pilgrim
The Russian spiritual classic of a wanderer practicing the Jesus Prayer, first published in 1884 from an anonymous manuscript. Its author remains debated.
- Still unknown
The Autobiography of a Flea
The 1887 Victorian erotic novel narrated by a flea observing its owner's corruptions. Published anonymously; the author remains unidentified.
- Later revealed
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder
James De Mille's satirical lost-world novel, serialized anonymously in 1888 after the author's death. The attribution is documented in De Mille scholarship.
- Later revealed
Elizabeth and Her German Garden
The 1898 comic journal of a garden and a marriage, published anonymously. Its author became famous as 'Elizabeth', later known as Elizabeth von Arnim.
- Still unknown
Memoirs of a Russian Princess
An 1890 anonymous erotic novel purporting to be a Russian princess's confessions. Its actual author was never established.
- Disputed
Might is Right
The 1896 social Darwinist tract published as Ragnar Redbeard. Arthur Desmond is the most commonly claimed author, with Jack London also proposed; the question is unsettled.
- Pseudonym
The Expert at the Card Table
The 1902 bible of card sleight of hand, self-published as S. W. Erdnase. The identity behind the pseudonym is card history's most famous unsolved question.
- Disputed
Josefine Mutzenbacher
The 1906 Viennese erotic novel published anonymously and commonly attributed to Felix Salten, author of Bambi. The attribution has never been confirmed.
- Later revealed
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man
The 1912 novel of a biracial man who passes as white, published anonymously as a memoir. James Weldon Johnson credited himself in the 1927 reissue.
- Later revealed
Go Ask Alice
The 1971 book marketed as a real teenager's drug diary, credited to Anonymous. It is now documented as the work of Beatrice Sparks.
- Later revealed
Primary Colors
The 1996 roman a clef of a Clintonesque campaign, published as Anonymous. Joe Klein denied authorship, then admitted it six months later.
- Later revealed
The Bride Stripped Bare
The 2003 erotic novel of a wife's secret life, submitted for anonymous publication. The press identified Nikki Gemmell just before publication, and she acknowledged it.
- Still unknown
Bourbon Kid
A supernatural horror series begun in 2000 with The Book with No Name, published by an author who has remained anonymous by choice ever since.
- Still unknown
Diary of an Oxygen Thief
A 2006 confessional novel published anonymously in Amsterdam, narrated by an advertising man who recounts cruelty and comeuppance. Its author has remained anonymous.
- Pseudonym
My Immortal
The notorious 2006 to 2007 Harry Potter fan fiction posted under the handle XXXbloodyrists666XXX. A 2017 authorship claim was publicly contested and remains unverified.
- Later revealed
O: A Presidential Novel
The 2011 novel of a presidential campaign published as by Anonymous, someone 'in the room'. Press analysis identified former McCain aide Mark Salter.
- Still unknown
Lucy in the Sky
A 2012 young adult diary novel of a teenager's descent into drug use, published under the byline Anonymous in the Go Ask Alice tradition.
- Still unknown
Letting Ana Go
A 2013 young adult novel in diary form about anorexia, published by Simon and Schuster under the byline Anonymous, in the tradition of Go Ask Alice.
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