# Is "Bewilderment" by Richard Powers a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Bewilderment by Richard Powers (W. W. Norton, 2021) is identified by: 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. US W.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1
- The unclipped jacket carries a price of 27.99 on the front flap
- Publisher imprint reads W. W. Norton
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Richard Powers |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton |
| Year | 2021 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. The unclipped jacket carries a price of 27.99 on the front flap.

## Is this the true first?
US W. W. Norton is the true first, published September 2021; the UK first was Hutchinson Heinemann in 2021. Booker Prize shortlist.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book club edition.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Bewilderment* by Richard Powers a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/bewilderment
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.