The points of issue
Riverhead first printing has a full number line including 1 on the copyright page; first-issue cloth and jacket carry the printed price. Published September 2007.
Is this the true first?
The US Riverhead 2007 printing is the true first; the full number line including 1 confirms it. The UK Faber edition is separate.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club copies lack the full number line and typically show a blind-stamp to the rear board.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Riverhead first printing has a full number line including 1 on the copyright page; first-issue cloth and jacket carry the printed price. Published September 2007.
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 Riverhead 2007 printing is the true first; the full number line including 1 confirms it. The UK Faber edition is separate.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club copies lack the full number line and typically show a blind-stamp to the rear board.
I have a first edition of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao — 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.