The Original

Set in 1899 Oxfordshire, Nell Stevens's novel explores themes of authenticity, art, and identity through the story of Grace Inderwick, a young woman with a talent for painting and a penchant for shadows. When her cousin Charles returns from sea, seemingly changed and uncanny, Grace finds herself entangled in questions of truth, deception, and belonging. With its intricate plotting and sharp wit, The Original is a captivating meditation on what it means to be a true original in a world of forgeries and fakes.