# Is "Nothing to Be Frightened Of" by Julian Barnes a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Nothing to Be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes (Jonathan Cape, 2008) is identified by: Memoir/meditation on death; cloth-backed pictorial boards, gilt spine lettering; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement; dust jacket priced 16.99 net. UK Cape (2008) precedes US Knopf (2008) and Random House Canada (2008).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Memoir/meditation on death; cloth-backed pictorial boards, gilt spine lettering; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement; dust jacket priced 16.99 net
- Publisher imprint reads Jonathan Cape
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Julian Barnes |
| Publisher | Jonathan Cape |
| Year | 2008 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Memoir/meditation on death; cloth-backed pictorial boards, gilt spine lettering; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
Memoir/meditation on death; cloth-backed pictorial boards, gilt spine lettering; full number line descending to 1 with Cape 'First published' statement; dust jacket priced 16.99 net.

## Is this the true first?
UK Cape (2008) precedes US Knopf (2008) and Random House Canada (2008).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Reprints state the later impression.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Nothing to Be Frightened Of* by Julian Barnes a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/nothing-to-be-frightened-of
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.