The points of issue
Original screenplay issued as a Methuen Paperback original (about 34 pages) with an introduction by McEwan; copyright page reads 'First published 1985'. No hardcover was issued, so the paperback is the true first.
Is this the true first?
Methuen paperback original (1985) is the true first; the film itself dates to 1983.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book club edition.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Ploughman's Lunch a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Original screenplay issued as a Methuen Paperback original (about 34 pages) with an introduction by McEwan; copyright page reads 'First published 1985'. No hardcover was issued, so the paperback is the true first.
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. Methuen paperback original (1985) is the true first; the film itself dates to 1983.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book club edition.
I have a first edition of The Ploughman's Lunch — 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.