# Is "Brooklyn" by Colm Tóibín a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín (Viking, 2009) is identified by: First UK Viking hardcover, 2009 (an imprint of Penguin). The UK Viking 2009 hardcover is the true first; the US Scribner edition (2009) is a first-thus.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First UK Viking hardcover, 2009 (an imprint of Penguin)
- Copyright page carries the publisher's first-printing statement and a complete number line including 1; jacket priced in sterling
- The UK Viking precedes the US Scribner edition of 2009
- Publisher imprint reads Viking
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Colm Tóibín |
| Publisher | Viking |
| Year | 2009 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First UK Viking hardcover, 2009 (an imprint of Penguin) |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
First UK Viking hardcover, 2009 (an imprint of Penguin). Copyright page carries the publisher's first-printing statement and a complete number line including 1; jacket priced in sterling. The UK Viking precedes the US Scribner edition of 2009.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Viking 2009 hardcover is the true first; the US Scribner edition (2009) is a first-thus. Costa Novel Award winner. Note a separate signed limited issue exists from Tuskar Rock Press, distinct from the Viking trade first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition traced. Confirm the Viking imprint and complete number line as against the US Scribner printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Brooklyn* by Colm Tóibín a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/brooklyn
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.