- The Devil to Pay in the Backlands (1963), which won the Prêmio Jabuti for Best Novel
- The Landowner's Daughter (1964)
- Luanda (1966)
- The People of Praia do Flamengo (1968)
- The House on the Hill (1972)
- The Stone Cross (1974)
- The Blood of the Condor (1976)
- The Black Stallion (1978)
- The Green Mansions (1980)
- The War of the Canudos (1982)
In addition to his novels, Pimentel has also written several collections of short stories, including:
- The Man from the Backlands (1959)
- The Death of the Parrot (1962)
- The Stories of Sidiney Pimentel (1975)
- The Selected Stories of Sidiney Pimentel (1985)
Pimentel's work is often characterized by its magical realism, its use of myth and folklore, and its exploration of social and political issues. His work has been translated into several languages, and he has been awarded numerous literary prizes.