The points of issue
Dutton (Penguin) imprint; copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
The US Dutton hardcover (2021) is the true first; the book won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction. First-issue jackets predate any award seal or banner.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Confirm a stated 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1 and a first-issue jacket without an award seal.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Hell of a Book a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Dutton (Penguin) imprint; copyright page states 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap.
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. The US Dutton hardcover (2021) is the true first; the book won the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction. First-issue jackets predate any award seal or banner.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Confirm a stated 'First Edition' with a number line ending in 1 and a first-issue jacket without an award seal.
I have a first edition of Hell of a Book — 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.