The points of issue
First printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1, in a printed-price dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
The US HarperCollins hardcover (2004) is the true first and won the 2004 National Book Award for Fiction.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions are typically smaller in format, may be blind-stamped, and carry an unpriced jacket.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The News from Paraguay a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a complete number line ending in 1, in a printed-price dust jacket.
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 HarperCollins hardcover (2004) is the true first and won the 2004 National Book Award for Fiction.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book-club editions are typically smaller in format, may be blind-stamped, and carry an unpriced jacket.
I have a first edition of The News from Paraguay — 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.