# Is "Levels of Life" by Julian Barnes a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Levels of Life by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape, 2013) is identified by: Essay/memoir in three parts. The UK Jonathan Cape edition (2013) is the true first, preceding the US Alfred A.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Essay/memoir in three parts
- Hardcover in boards with gilt spine lettering, issued in dust jacket
- First printing carries a full descending number line ending in 1 on the copyright page
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Julian Barnes |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 2013 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Essay/memoir in three parts |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Essay/memoir in three parts. Hardcover in boards with gilt spine lettering, issued in dust jacket. First printing carries a full descending number line ending in 1 on the copyright page.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Jonathan Cape edition (2013) is the true first, preceding the US Alfred A. Knopf edition (also 2013).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later impressions adjust the number line or add an impression statement on the copyright page.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Levels of Life* by Julian Barnes a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/levels-of-life
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.