She's Becoming Bookish | The Original

The Original

Priya Parmar

Save to Your Books

100% of affiliate revenue supports She's Becoming Bookish

This stunning novel plunges into the tumultuous life of screen icon Katharine Hepburn, a star whose fierce independence, passionate spirit, and fluid sexuality shattered Hollywood’s rules and redefined what it meant to be a woman in film.“A riveting and unputdownable journey through fame, rebellion, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline“A bold, breathtaking novel about the making of Katharine Hepburn—vivid, daring and full of emotional bite. This is a novel you press into your best friend’s hands the moment you finish.”—Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of Skylark and The Paris WifeWhen young Katharine Hepburn loses her beloved brother, she makes two decisions: she will become famous, and she will never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving home at twenty-one to pursue an acting career Kate is lured to Hollywood, accompanied by her lover, Laura.Los Angeles in the early 1930s is a town full of secrets and Kate has plenty to hide. Soon she is scooped into the studio system and launched as a star—but stars must play by the rules and Kate, brilliant, bisexual, and strong-willed, refuses to conform.Surrounded by a legendary circle of intimates, including the powerful David and Irene Selznick, charming and romantically conflicted actor Cary Grant, ambitious director John Ford, and millionaire tycoon Howard Hughes, Kate navigates a web of sex, ambition, and betrayal. As her career ascends, she faces an agonizing choice: be the star everyone wants her to be, or risk everything to become the woman she always was.The author of New York Times Notable Book Vanessa and Her Sister has created a propulsive, emotionally charged novel exploring the cost of fame. With sharp prose and unforgettable characters, The Original is a story of love, aspiration, and the price of living authentically.

Get the Bindery app

Posts about this title from She's Becoming Bookish

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jul 22

See It Here First: May & June Reading Wrap-Up

get a 2-for-1 reading wrap-up this month

22 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jun 29

Hi there book buddies!\ \ \ \ You thought I forgot about the weekly reading update, didn't you? Nope! I just took the day off to celebrate my birthday. I'm 46 & fabulous, thank you for asking. 😜\ \ We slipped away to Sequoia National Park to tent camp for the weekend, and though I had every intention of enjoying my book whilst in the hammock the entire weekend, I barely finished a page. Instead we did a driving tour and a few short hikes, plus lots of time tending the campfire (it was cold, yo).\ \ Now we're back home and back to reality, though I'm finding it hard to focus on anything other than my current reads! Y'all suggested The Calamity Club as my next read, and, boy, I'm glad you did. The hype is REAL. It's SO good that I don't want to put it down, though I've been told to savor it if I can. I'm reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook, and, if I'm being honest, the audiobook is much better. But regardless how you read it, get your hands on this book asap! Now's a good time to tap into Audible (get 3 months free) since Libby holds on this book are going to be miles long!\ \ I've also started the new Kate Thompson, The Secret Society of Librarians, and, as I expected, I'm loving it, too. If you've read her other work, then I guarantee you'll enjoy this book. I'm only 15% of the way into my advanced reader copy and already there are SO many Easter eggs from The Little Wartime Library and The Little Wartime Book Club. Her WWII books are all full of great characters, found family, and tight-knit communities. 10/10 recommend \ \ Since my last update I finished A Great Act of Love and really, really enjoyed it. As I said in my most recent Last/Now/Next, it's a good one for adventure seekers. I especially loved the father/daughter connection in this book, along with the woman-reinventing-herself theme. Lately, I'm feeling the pull to be somebody completely new, so that really spoke to me. 4.5⭐️\ \ I finally got the chance to read The Original, my most anticipated Spring release, and, y'all, it had me wondering WHY I WAITED SO LONG!? If you love Katharine Hepburn or Cary Grant films, this is a MUST read. It was like watching a film, with the terse, quick exchanges and abrupt scene shifts between chapters. It was seriously good reading, but I have a feeling it will not be for everyone. 5⭐️\ \ Lastly, I decided to DNF The Correspondent for now. I tried reading on my Kindle and then tried audio, and neither format was speaking to me. It's a fan favorite, so I may try it again, but the dry narrative was a struggle.\ \ ICYMI:\ \ Paid subscribers got first dibs on the August Historical Fiction Heads Up! Otherwise, be sure to subscribe (and confirm) to my newsletter for access on July 1.\ \ Hear It Here First:\ \ I'll be sharing a bunch of stuff on Youtube very soon, including my book haul from the Great Bookstore Tour (very overdue). Be sure & follow me there if you like long form content.\ \ Thanks, as always, for being here! Until next time, happy reading. 🤩\ \ xoxo\ \ c

The Weekly Reading Update: Monday June 29

thought I forgot, didn't you?

7 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jun 25

ICYMI: I'm Back on BookTok

never thought I'd say those words...well, maybe i did 😜

3 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Apr 4

ICYMI: The April Historical Fiction Heads-Up is Live!

Looking for the best April historical fiction releases? You're in the right place!

23 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Mar 20

Warning: This Post Contains 5⭐️ Historical Fiction Books

I love a good challenge 😜

Jumping on the bandwagon to share my version of the Five Star Book Tag Challenge!

20 books

Posts about this book from across Bindery

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jul 22

\ \ Join for free or login](https://shesbecomingbookish.binderybooks.com/item/Y5inTHdReOuXDsEHMZDn/)

See It Here First: May & June Reading Wrap-Up

get a 2-for-1 reading wrap-up this month

22 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jun 29

The Weekly Reading Update: Monday June 29

thought I forgot, didn't you?

7 books

She's Becoming Bookish\ \ Carlie Dayle\ \ • Jun 25

\ \ Join for free or login](https://shesbecomingbookish.binderybooks.com/item/b7PN30uHm6Y4ypkJtKIE/)

ICYMI: I'm Back on BookTok

never thought I'd say those words...well, maybe i did 😜

3 books

Ronnica Reads\ \ Ronnica Fatt\ \ • Apr 27

Join for free

Here are some April 28th new book releases on my radar (and should be on yours!). Though I've asked the publishers for these, I haven't gotten my hands on any of them yet...let me know if you have!\ \ Fat Swim by Emma Copley Eisenberg\ \ Why it interests me: a collection of stories exploring bodies, queerness, size, and more? Okay.\ \ Liar's Dice by Juliet Faithfull\ \ Why it interests me: a coming of age story set in 1970s Brazil.\ \ Dreamt I Found You by Jimin Han\ \ Why it interests me: A retelling of a tragic love story set in the Korean immigrant community. I already have her The Apology on my physical TBR so I'm interested in this one too. \ \ The Original by Priya Parmar\ \ Why it interests me: a novel about Katharine Hepburn, exploring the cost of fame.\ \ Break Room by Miye Lee\ \ Why it interests me: translated from Korean, a gripping and incisive psychological game-show drama.\ \ Molka by Monika Kim\ \ Why it interests me: The Eyes are the Best Part was one of my favorite horror books last year, so when I heard she had a new one coming out, I immediately preordered it.

April 28th Release I Need to Read Right Now

8 books

Books Right Now\ \ Rashi Dembi\ \ • Apr 14

Join for free

April South Asian Releases!

Here are some new South Asian books (+ their blurbs) coming out in April!

These upcoming releases are by South Asian authors, feature South Asian main characters, or are set in South Asia or in worlds inspired by South Asia.

—

What new releases are you looking forward to? 📚

#bookstagram #southasianbooks #newreleases #booktok #books

10 books