The points of issue
Faber & Faber London 2005. First printing copyright page with full number line ending in '1'; dust jacket priced £16.99. Publisher's boards.
Is this the true first?
Faber London 2005 is the true first; Alfred A. Knopf New York 2005 is the first US.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Number line not ending in '1' indicates a later printing; US edition carries Knopf imprint. Film-tie-in and book club editions are distinct.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Never Let Me Go a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Faber & Faber London 2005. First printing copyright page with full number line ending in '1'; dust jacket priced £16.99. Publisher's boards.
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. Faber London 2005 is the true first; Alfred A. Knopf New York 2005 is the first US.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Number line not ending in '1' indicates a later printing; US edition carries Knopf imprint. Film-tie-in and book club editions are distinct.
I have a first edition of Never Let Me Go — 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.