The points of issue
Orbit UK hardcover, published 4 October 2012. Copyright page states first publication in Great Britain in 2012 by Orbit, with the first-impression number line including 1. Priced dust jacket. Final Culture novel.
Is this the true first?
UK Orbit hardcover (4 October 2012) is the true first, preceding the near-simultaneous US Orbit edition of 9 October 2012.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None notable.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Hydrogen Sonata a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Orbit UK hardcover, published 4 October 2012. Copyright page states first publication in Great Britain in 2012 by Orbit, with the first-impression number line including 1. Priced dust jacket. Final Culture novel.
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. UK Orbit hardcover (4 October 2012) is the true first, preceding the near-simultaneous US Orbit edition of 9 October 2012.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
None notable.
I have a first edition of The Hydrogen Sonata — 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.