Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, 1978 cover
Cover of the Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, 1978 edition of this book. The Sidgwick & Jackson 1978 jacket has not been photographed yet.
Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 29 Oct 2026.
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Doubleday of Garden City, New York published the true first edition early in 1978, a hardback stated as a first edition on the copyright page. The first British edition is the Sidgwick & Jackson hardback of the same year, 185 numbered pages, ISBN 0 283 98465 1, whose copyright page notes the earlier American publication by Doubleday. Check for the Sidgwick & Jackson imprint. Butler disliked the novel and blocked further reprints; the last English language reprint was in 1981, so early copies are scarce. A new edition was announced for September 2026.
We have not yet confirmed the issue points that tell this first impression from later ones. Until we do, compare your copy's title page and copyright page with the publisher, place and year above: any later printing or edition statement means it is not this one.
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The cover image shows this book but may not be this edition or printing.
Sidgwick & Jackson, London, in 1978, in hardback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 29 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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