# Is "Islands, the Universe, Home" by Gretel Ehrlich a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Islands, the Universe, Home by Gretel Ehrlich (Viking, 1991) is identified by: Viking (New York) hardcover first edition, 1991, with number line present ending in 1; issued in dust jacket (ISBN 0-670-82161-6). True first US edition of this essay collection.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Viking (New York) hardcover first edition, 1991, with number line present ending in 1; issued in dust jacket (ISBN 0-670-82161-6)
- Collection of ten personal essays, illustrated with the author's brush paintings
- Publisher imprint reads Viking
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Gretel Ehrlich |
| Publisher | Viking |
| Year | 1991 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Viking (New York) hardcover first edition, 1991, with number line present ending in 1… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Viking (New York) hardcover first edition, 1991, with number line present ending in 1; issued in dust jacket (ISBN 0-670-82161-6). Collection of ten personal essays, illustrated with the author's brush paintings.

## Is this the true first?
True first US edition of this essay collection.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Distinguish from the later Penguin paperback (ISBN 0140109072).

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Islands, the Universe, Home* by Gretel Ehrlich a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/islands-the-universe-home
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.