The points of issue
Dutton first printing carries a full number line including the 1; issued as A Henry Robbins Book; first-issue jacket with the original price on the front flap. A short novella in three sections (a triptych) that first appeared in American Review, Antaeus, and TriQuarterly.
Is this the true first?
The US Dutton edition is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
First printing shows the complete number line down to 1; book-club copies lack the flap price and carry a Book Club Edition notice.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Living End a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Dutton first printing carries a full number line including the 1; issued as A Henry Robbins Book; first-issue jacket with the original price on the front flap. A short novella in three sections (a triptych) that first appeared in American Review, Antaeus, and TriQuarterly.
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 Dutton edition is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
First printing shows the complete number line down to 1; book-club copies lack the flap price and carry a Book Club Edition notice.
I have a first edition of The Living End — 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.