Metroland | Archive Edition (Vintage, 2016)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Metroland. London: Vintage, 2016. Pp. 203 [225] + [7]. 21.6 x 13.5 cm. ISBN: 9781784705916. £9.99.

Special Archive Edition with a new introduction by Julian Barnes. The archive material features letters and reviews pertaining to the novel Metroland:

  • Letter from Sheila McIlwraith at AD Peters Writers’ Agents submitting manuscript to Tom Maschler at Jonathan Cape.
  • First report on the manuscript (initials XH)
  • Second report on the manuscript (initials CC)
  • Letter from Julian Barnes outlining his edits to Liz Calder his editor
  • Deleted scene from the first draft of the manuscript
  • Letter from Julian Barnes to Tony Colwell, the art director responsible for the book jacket
  • Letter from Philip Larkin to Julian Barnes
  • Letter from Dodie Smith to Julian Barnes
  • Reviews

The book’s graphic design is based on London Underground seat fabrics. For more on the design on the Vintage Blog: http://vintagebooksdesign.tumblr.com/post/151283886571/metroland-julianbarnes

The Noise of Time (Thorndike Press, 2016; Large Print)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. The Noise of Time. Waterville, Maine: Thorndike Press, 2016. Pp. 269 + [3]. 22.3 x 14.5 cm. ISBN: 9781410490193.

Large Print edition published by Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning.

Flaubert’s Parrot | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (Petersens, 2001)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Flaubert’s Parrot | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. Hamburg: Petersens, 2001. Pp. 229 + [1] and 309 + [3]. 17.7 x 11 cm. ISBN: 3883891568.

This omnibus edition appears to have been printed and bound in Great Britain by Picador, but was published officially by Petersons for a foreign market. Listed as “Petersen Taschenbücher Bd. 156” on the page before the title page. The page numbering is distinct between the two novels.

Una historia del mundo en diez capítulos y medio | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (Compactos Anagrama, 2000; Spanish)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Una historia del mundo en diez capítulos y medio | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. Barcelona: Editorial Anagrama, 2000. Pp. 359 + [9]. 20.5 x 13.4 cm. ISBN: 8433914286. Translated by Maribel de Juan. (Spanish).

Copyright page states this particular specimen is the “Cuarta edición” of the Compactos edition, published in November 2000. The spine lists the books as number “98” in the series.


The edition below is the 8th edition printed in May 2018. In addition to a slight difference in the cover hue, the pages differ slightly from the edition above. Pp. 359 + [5].

A világ története 10 és 1/2 fejezetben | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (Ulpius-ház, 2002; Hungarian)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. A világ története 10 és ½ fejezetben | A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. Budapest: Ulpius-ház, 2002. Pp. 361 + [7]. 19.6 x 12.8 cm. Translated by Feig András. ISBN: 9639348716. (Hungarian).

Something to Declare (Vintage International, 2003)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Something to Declare: Essays on France and French Culture. New York: Vintage International, 2003. Pp. 295 + [3]. 20.3 x 13.1 cm. ISBN: 1400030870.

This title was originally published as a paperback in the U.K. by Picador and in hardback in the U.S. by Alfred A. Knopf. This edition is the first U.S. paperback. The copyright page incorrectly states the book was “published in hardcover in Great Britain by Picador, London”, whereas the cover is actually made of stiff card. The copyright page also lists the specific publication date as “September 2003”.

Un homme dans sa cuisine | The Pedant in the Kitchen (Mercure de France, 2005; French)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Un homme dans sa cuisine | The Pedant in the Kitchen. Paris: Mercure de France, 2005. Pp. 153 [154] + [6]. 18.5 x 11.7 cm. Translated by Josette Chicheportiche. ISBN: 9782715225084. (French).

El sentido de un final | The Sense of an Ending (Editorial Anagrama, 2012; Spanish)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. El sentido de un final | The Sense of an Ending. Barcelona: Editorial Anagrama, 2012. Pp. 186 + [6]. 22 x 14 cm. Translated by Jaime Zulaika. ISBN: 9788433978523. (Spanish).

Copyright page states: “Primera edición: noviembre 2012”.

El sentit d’un final | The Sense of an Ending (Angle Editorial, 2012; Catalan)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. El sentit d’un final | The Sense of an Ending. Barcelona: Angle Editorial, 2012. Pp. 159 + [1]. 23 x 14.5 cm. Translated by Alexandre Gombau i Arnau. ISBN: 9788415695059. (Catalan).

Love, etc. | Uncorrected Proof (Jonathan Cape, 2000)


Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Love, etc. London: Jonathan Cape, 2000. Pp. 250. 20.6 x 13.5 cm.

Uncorrected Proof in light green paper cover with black lettering.   ‘JONATHAN CAPE UNCORRECTED BOOK PROOF’ in black along bottom of upper panel. Issued with an orange publicity sheet stating publication information and author bio. Title listed as ‘Love, etc.’ [full stop]. The full stop was later removed in the first edition U.K. hardback. (20.6 x 13.5 cm).