What readers think of The Original, plus links to write your own review.

This is a strangely hypnotic read. I was instantly taken in to the story from the first page on. Grace growing up in her uncle's home suffers the pain of being unwanted, yet her gift as a copyist gains her a status she could not have foreseen. Caught up in a condition which renders her unable to remember faces, this predilection for imitating art becomes a means to survive and thrive in a harsh world. Stevens writes beautifully and like her artistic character creates images artfully with the use of astounding word scenes and descriptions. Truly a unique book worth reading.

The Original's plot is well-done. The events keep you guessing if the long lost Charles (son and heir) is the original or an imposter. We follow the plot through cousin Grace who exists as an almost invisible part of the estate household. Grace's one secret talent is copying famous paintings and finding ways to make money in the counterfeit painting industry. The book does a good job of developing Grace's character as she deals with Charles, life, and art. We learn a lot about the seamy side of the 1890's era and the quest for money and financial stability.

I enjoyed this book because it has a little of everything: family drama, classic art, forgery, and a bit of suspense/mystery, and turn of the century lifestyle. It would be a good pick for book clubs because there are lots of talking points.

3.5 stars, rounded down

While The Original unfortunately lacks an original premise, it does a decent job with its chosen plot line. It’s 1899 and the heir of an English landed family left 13 years ago and no one has heard from him since. Then he sends word to his mother that he’s in Rome and wants to come home. But is this man truly the missing son?
Meanwhile, Grace is the poor cousin who has been living with her aunt and uncle since both of her parents went insane. She has prosopagnosia (face blindness). But while she can’t recognize a real face, she has the ability to flawlessly copy artworks, a trait she keeps hidden from her relatives. It’s just one secret she keeps hidden.
The book is primarily told from Grace’s POV. She goes back and forth whether she believes that this man is truly her cousin Charles. She longs to find a way to live independently, forging artworks to make her way. But it’s harder than it looks. A lot of the second half is Grace going back and forth over whether to marry “Charles”. That part got old fairly quickly. There were some interesting twists towards the end that finally engaged me.

While the plot sagged at times, Stevens still put forward some interesting themes and ideas. Of course, the whole idea of art forgery, cons and scams was well done. I will credit her with doing a good job of writing about creating art, especially given Grace’s face blindness. The book also worked well in its realistic look at money - the have and the have nots, those who struggle to not let it slip through their hands, inherited wealth.
But take away the queer aspect and I feel like this story has been done multiple times.
I listened to it and Kristine Atherton did a great job as the main narrator.

The novel started out interestingly, but as it moved through I found it difficult to become invested in what was happening. The bits of history of art forgery did help keep my interest, and the author's writing was lovely. It was not a book that I would normally choose, but I am glad I requested it from BookBrowse as I now have more to research on my own. Thank you for the opportunity to review "The Original"

Nell Steven's complex new book begins in an English stately home in 1898.The story is narrated by Grace, a young niece of the owner. Sent to live there after the death of her parents, she is unwanted and is largely ignored by her family with the sole exception of her cousin, Charles. Grace discovers that, although she is unable to distinguish between the faces of anyone, she is able to faultlessly copy any portrait she sees. She begins to secretly nurture her talent hoping it will lead to her being able to leave her home for ever.

In the meanwhile, her cousin Charles has run away to sea, leaving her without any support. The bombshell news that arrives after many years reduces the whole family to chaos. Charles wants to come home and claim his right to his inheritance upon his father's demise.

I found the character Grace and Charles back story was repetitive and unnecessary. There are many twists and turns in the story line into the personal lives of the main characters. The book did not appeal to me, however there are readers that follow the author that will enjoy her novel.

Interesting beginning - it pulls you right in. Really gives a good feel for the time period - 1899-1900. However, too much description about artwork slows down the pace of the story. I found it hard to keep interested. The ending felt rushed and things seemed glossed over. Just an average read.