I have absolutely loved Nell Stevens’ previous books, though I will say I’m more partial to her nonfiction. But this was a really strong fiction entry. The narrative had a casual, storytelling nature that did a great job of immediately creating an intimacy between the narrator and readers. Stevens always wonderfully creates a sense of the time period; it’s clear she has done a great deal of research before writing. The Original blended historical fiction, mystery, and literary fiction to create an enjoyable, captivating read.

Nell Stevens’ “The Original,” in which a young woman becomes a masterful copier of paintings, put me in mind of another recent novel about art, Lucy Steeds’ “The Artist,” in which a similar situation is at play, though a reader is a while coming upon exactly what's going on.
Also true of both novels is a male principal character who’s on the outs with his father – in “The Artist,” it’s for his being a conscientious objector, while in “The Original,” it's for something more intensely personal – something it turns out that’s true for the young woman as well.
Quite the burdened character, Stevens' Grace, both with the secret she carries with the male principal as well as having to live with the knowledge that her parents killed themselves.
But mostly it’s the copyist motif that dominates Steven’s work, which delivers an engrossing treatment of authenticity in art, although it had me wondering at book’s end if I was completely squared away with a final plot development.

Screaming because this is so good! It’s giving ‘be gay do crime’ but with Nell Steven’s beautiful writing style. I loved Briefly, a Delicious Life and I was so excited when I saw this and it definitely hasn’t let me down.

Grace lives in her uncle’s house following her parents' admission into an asylum. She is face blind but has a talent for copying paintings. Her cousin Charles returns after being presumed lost at sea for over a decade to claim his inheritance although there are questions surrounding his true identity.

Parts definitely reminded me of Shirley Jackson, specifically the crumbling manor, the threads of madness that run in the family, and the mc being a strange young woman. Of course the tone is much less horrific overall but I really enjoyed this.

Artworks are woven into the text in a similar way to how music was present in BaDL, adding an additional depth to the storytelling. I was obsessed with the way forgery was used as an act of love and devotion throughout the story.

Overall I adored this and I can’t wait to get a hold of a physical copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

Beautifully written and atmospheric, this is a genre-twisting novel that has the gothic broody mood of Jane Eyre (with an poor-relation orphan living with wealthy relatives that take almost no interest in her) combined with a modern-day queer sensibility. A story about imposters/fakers of all kinds -- from a man claiming to be the long-lost heir of a wealthy family, to the heroine's secret talent for painting copies of famous paintings, to those hiding their true sensibilities. A dark and wholly original page-turner!

“The Original” is the latest novel by Nell Stevens that prompts readers to contemplate authenticity, social class, and the values we assign to various aspects of life. The story follows Grace, who is living with her wealthy extended family after her parents succumbed to madness, leaving her orphaned.

Set in the late 19th century, primarily in England, the novel’s premise revolves around Grace, who, despite struggling with face blindness, is a talented forger. She secretly engages in this craft while attempting to save money for herself. Her cousin, Charles, whom she hasn’t seen since childhood, returns over a decade later, seeking to reclaim his inheritance. However, questions arise about his true identity.

Readers will be left wondering whether Charles is indeed the rightful heir and Grace’s cousin or just an imposter. This mystery unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing until the very end. The novel evokes vibes reminiscent of “Jane Eyre” and Sarah Waters’ “The Fingersmith.” Fans of those works, as well as Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” are likely to appreciate this queer, turn-of-the-century mystery.

I highly recommend this book—it was so engaging that I couldn’t put it down. Thank you to NetGalley and WW Norton and Company for providing the ARC.