Ways to identify a book?

[Ansileran]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if there was a good way to identify a book, for any edition. Let me explain: I lost a library book once. Said library asked me to replace the book. So far, easy. Problem: the original edition was out of print and there was apparently no new edition. While discussing with a knowledgeable seller, it turned out that the book had been reprinted by a new editor who changed the title. In the new edition, you could find the old title mentioned (first edition).

So how would you identify a book like this?

Thanks!

[pidgeon92]

I'd start with Google, and Fantastic Fiction UK.

[Ansileran]

It was a book from a French author so fantastic fiction UK probably wouldn't be much help, especially looking for a title in French ^^

I was more wondering if there was something like a database matching ISBNs of various editions to the first edition...

[Ansileran]

The book in question is the first of a serie for kids by Lorris Murail.
Apparently, the original title was "Dan Martin, détective" (1994) here which was reprinted as "Le chartreux de Pam" (1999) here. Wikipedia (in French) lists them as two separate stories (first and last of the serie) but it's the same book.

[jmilica]

I usually use worldcat.org
Check if this link helps you.

[Ansileran]

It makes the link between various editions sporting the same title ("Dan Martin, détective") but not between different titles... "Le chartreux de Pam" still appears as a different book...

[jmilica]

Yes, I guess it has to do with ISBN, publisher and publishing rights. If the books was given a completely different title, new ISBN and doesn't mention it, I guess it would be rather difficult to find a system where one might be able to get that info.
The libraries or knowledgable seller you mentioned probably know much better.

[crich70]

Sometimes the same book from different publishers has different titles even when in the same language. Agatha Christie is well known for that. Have you thought of writing to the publisher (if you remember their name) to see what info. they might have on the book? For that matter I'd guess there is some part of the French Government that deals with published books. Over here in the U.S. when a book is published information (and a copy) are sent to the Library of Congress. I can only think there must be something similar in France as well.

[alicepattinson]

Does the ISBN also gets to be changed? The title has changed but the content is still the same plot right? It' confuses me. haha

[Ansileran]

Yes, the ISBN changed too (it changes for each new edition). For this one book, I know about it but what if you are purchasing books online? You'd just see a new book in a serie you like and purchase it without any further thought (at least, that's what I do). And then you start reading... what a disappointment (and waste of money).

I checked on the BNF's catalogue (equivalent to the Library of Congress in this). It doesn't identify the books as the same... And unless this 12 y.o. detective helped two crying girl named Pam locate their cats while receiving death threats, I doubt the story differ...

I guess there is nothing to be done...

[jmilica]

Originally Posted by Ansileran

Yes, the ISBN changed too (it changes for each new edition). For this one book, I know about it but what if you are purchasing books online? You'd just see a new book in a serie you like and purchase it without any further thought (at least, that's what I do). And then you start reading... what a disappointment (and waste of money).

I checked on the BNF's catalogue (equivalent to the Library of Congress in this). It doesn't identify the books as the same... And unless this 12 y.o. detective helped two crying girl named Pam locate their cats while receiving death threats, I doubt the story differ...

I guess there is nothing to be done...

AFAIK, it depends on publisher who provides the book for BNF or Library of Congress. They have to notify before getting ISBN that this edition has anything to do with the previous edition. Then it will be stated in what is CIP (cataloguing in publication) which is determined by BNF/LC before the book is published.
At least, that's how I was thought in school in 20 century.
Q is if today's publishers went to such schools
Edit: Don't know how CIP is called in French, but my guess would be PIC

[jehane]

I would start with the author's website, but a quick google.fr on the author's name didn't bring up any results (very quick skim of first two pages) that looked like his personal site.

Originally Posted by crich70

Sometimes the same book from different publishers has different titles even when in the same language.

Like US/UK editions, a prime example of which is the first Harry Potter book.

[Ansileran]

I guess the publisher didn't do it's job... This happens quite often with children books when they get republished. I remember it was written inside the book but it wasn't referenced as such in catalogues...

@jehane:
Many French authors do not have a personal site / blog / contact page (not even through their publisher), and we know little about them, especially those who write for kids. The Murail are a family of writers specializing in novels for kids. The two sister are quite well known in France (Marie-Aude Murail and Elvire Murail, under the alias "Moka"). And of course... no ebook ^^

Thanks again for the help!

[mobilelover]

did you try making a google search you haven't shared the name of the book try searching google play store may be you can find book stores or other libraries that sell it, search craigslist as well.

[crich70]

Did the library still have some info. in their files about the book that could help you in your search? Or have they already purged their database of information on it?