The points of issue
States 'First published 1988' by Viking on the copyright page. Cloth boards in a priced dust jacket. Mantel's third novel, drawn from her years in Jeddah.
Is this the true first?
UK Viking (1988) is the true first. The US St. Martin's/Holt edition came later (1997). The UK precedes.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Eight Months on Ghazzah Street a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: States 'First published 1988' by Viking on the copyright page. Cloth boards in a priced dust jacket. Mantel's third novel, drawn from her years in Jeddah.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. UK Viking (1988) is the true first. The US St. Martin's/Holt edition came later (1997). The UK precedes.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition.
I have a first edition of Eight Months on Ghazzah Street — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.