The Original

by Priya Parmar

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

Katharine Hepburn won more Oscars than any actor in history—and yet her most memorable role is the one she carved for herself.

When young Katharine Hepburn loses her beloved brother, she makes two she will become famous, and she will never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving home at twenty-one to pursue a career on Broadway, Kate is talent-spotted, screen-tested, and lured to Los Angeles, accompanied by her lover, Laura.

Hollywood in the early 1930s is a town full of secrets. Everyone comes with a story. When Kate arrives in California to launch her film career, she leaves behind her East Coast marriage and icy patrician family to live and love on her own terms. Despite her confrontational manner and unusual beauty, she is scooped into the studio system and launched as a star—but stars must play by the rules and Kate, brilliant, bisexual, and fiercely independent, 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, loyalty, and betrayal. All of them strive for success while struggling to outrun their own secrets. As Kate’s career ascends, she faces an agonizing 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 in a world that demands you become someone else.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Adult Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 28, 2026

About the author

Priya Parmar is the author of the novels Exit the Actress and Vanessa and Her Sister, a New York Times Notable Book, as well as co-author of the musical Sylvia (London Old Vic) nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Original Musical. Her forthcoming novel, The Original, will be published by Ballantine in April 2026. She lives with her family and four rescue dogs.

Reviews

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Original
By: Priya Parmar
Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Publisher: Ballantine Books
I have always loved old Hollywood movies and the stars of a bygone era. This book explores the trailblazer of Katherine Hepburn.
She came to Hollywood not like other starlets. Her hair was short, she wore trousers and she was unapologetic. Her upbringing was difficult and she lost her brother.
The 1930’ s in Hollywood and the likes of powerful men like David Selznick, Howard Hughes and Cary Grant just to name a few, where part of her world. Sex, likes, ambition and situations that made stars do unspeakable things.
She went on to prove she did IT in HER OWN TERMS and lasted in the movies for many years beyond what so many can do. Loved the historical fiction novel.
Thank you Ballantine Books for the advanced copy and MB Communications for having me on tour.

[Firetruckmama · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

“The Original” is a novel about Katharine Hepburn by Priya Parmar. It’s always very difficult to write about someone who has written an autobiography (“Me” in 1991) and has had very many books written about them. How does one put a new spin on a subject that has been under a microscope and analyzed by so many? Ms. Parmar decided to put her own twist on Hepburn’s story and, to be honest, it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I think if I’d read Ms. Parmar’s previous book (“Vanessa and Her Sister”) or read reviews of that book before I started this one, I might have had a better idea of Ms. Parmar’s stylistic choices and flow. Let me start off by saying what I think worked - Katharine Hepburn is a very interesting woman; she was different from other actresses of the 1930s and couldn’t be pegged into one category. So, choosing her was a very smart choice. I also liked learning more about the “supporting” players in this book - Cary Grant, Irene Mayer Selznick, and Randolph Scott. Where this book fell a bit for me is that, to be honest, I don’t care about the sexual lives of any of these people (or, to be honest, most people). I also expected this book to be more like a Marie Benedict type of historical fiction book - instead, Ms. Parmar presented the story as a collection of what felt like journal entries - people were introduced abruptly at times, without background given, and even “Los Angeles” has entries. Some of Ms. Parmar’s statements seemed a bit confusing, multiple times, I had to break away from the story in order to consult sources to see if I misremembered something or if it was fictionally true (a Hays Code reference, time period around Flo Ziegfeld’s death). This wasn’t a bad book, but for me it was so different from what I expected that it’s difficult for me to separate what I thought I was going to read versus what I ended up reading. If you know Katharine Hepburn’s life story well, I don’t know that you’ll get anything more out of this book. If you want to know more about Ms. Hepburn’s life, do remember that this is a fictional book somewhat based upon a real person and some liberties have been taken - do read the Author's Note for further information on this. This book wasn’t my cup of tea due to the writing style, but I can see people enjoying it. I'd probably give this book a 2.5 overall rating - I found it "meh," so I'll give it three stars on Goodreads.

[Mana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't your standard, dusty Hollywood biography. Priya Parmar treats Katharine Hepburn’s arrival in 1930s Los Angeles not as a list of credits, but as a collision between a rigid East Coast inheritance and a studio system that demanded total performance. The central conflict isn't just about whether she gets the Oscar; it’s the friction of a woman trying to keep her bisexuality and her marriage-of-convenience private while the industry tries to strip-mine her soul for PR.

Hepburn grows by leaning into her own contradictions, moving from a defiant outsider to a woman who understands that staying "original" requires a specific kind of armor. Hepburn matures by confronting her own inconsistencies, transitioning from a defiant outsider to a lady who recognizes that remaining "original" necessitates a certain type of armor. The supporting ensemble, which includes a conflicted Cary Grant and the obsessive Howard Hughes, is more than just cameos.

Parmar's literary style is keen and analytical, cutting through the typical "Golden Age" romanticism. She employs archive sources to create a tale that feels urgent and lived-in, rather than researched. I admire the intellectual distance here; she does not beg you to like Hepburn, but rather asks you to watch her work. The tone is austere and unsentimental, with an emphasis on the mechanics of ambition and the quiet loneliness of being the only person in the room who refuses to play the game.

The frenzied rush of early Hollywood and a particular, cold atmosphere of wealth are captured in the novel. It is not so much a rags-to-riches tale as it is a character study of power. If one criticism can be offered, it is that the pacing sometimes reflects the neurotic, frenzied energy of the time, leaving some readers wanting a break. That restlessness, yet, is precisely what distinguishes the novel. Because Hepburn herself never found a comfortable rhythm, it refuses to do so.

We all devote a large amount of effort to manage how we are seen at work or in our social groups. Reading this makes you wonder what you've hidden away just to keep your own life functioning properly. It serves as a reminder that being an original requires a daily, often costly, commitment to yourself.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out rough for me; something about the writing style, or pace, or something just didn't work. However, I've always been intrigued by Katharine Hepburn, so I really did want to push through to see if I could get over my issues and enjoy the book, and I'm so glad I did. Katharine Hepburn was a firecracker, and I love that she was unapologetic about who she was during a time when that just simply wasn't done, and certainly not by a woman. The book is told from several different voices - Hepburn's, plus various others who were present in her life. So not only is it a glimpse in Katharine Hepburn, but also into Cary Grant, Howard Huges, and others. And then there was the "voice of Los Angeles." By far my favorite, with its birds eye view of anything and everything Hollywood and an opinion about everything that was both sympathetic and judgmental all at the same time. Simply brilliant, and I wanted more of that. My main complaint was that the book seemed to focus a lot on the sexual proclivities of its main characters; while I suspect this was a major focal point of their lives at the time, so naturally is would be prominent in the book, its not necessarily something I cared about, so it felt over the top at times.

It can be difficult for me to separate fact from fiction when reading a fictional account of a real person, and I struggle a bit with what to believe and what to chalk up to the author's creative imagination, but ultimately, the base of this story is fact, with some of the details embellished or rearranged to suit the storyline better. Katharine Hepburn was intriguing and complex, she knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to do what it took to get it. At the same time, my impression is that she struggled with self-acceptance; she expected others to accept her as she was, but wasn't entirely willing to do that herself, which I find a little sad.

Overall, a really enjoyable look at an iconic actress and how she created a life for herself in her own way.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kristina O’Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to Allison & Busby for sending me an advance copy of The Original to read and review before its release date. The story of Katharine Hepburn is not one I was previously familiar with before reading this book (although I of course knew of her!), and I love that I was able to go into it without knowing many of the facts - it allowed me to become totally immersed in this story.

The cadence of this book is different from any I’ve read. With short, clipped sentences and tight chapters, it simultaneously made the book feel like a quick read, but at times it did feel like it was dragging a bit as well. Sometimes I found myself wishing for a bit more imagery or symbolism, but as I reflect on the reading experience, I realize that the cadence fits Katharine’s personality - and I feel this was likely a conscious decision to keep the reader in her headspace. If this was intentional - bravo to Priya Parmar - it was brilliant.

I loved the multiple perspectives of this story, all told in the third person, from the perspective of a narrator whose identity is left to the reader to decide. With many different characters in this tale of both private and very public lives, it took a little time to get a grasp on who was who, but by the midway point, I found myself in a position to cheer for the ones I learned to love, and to scowl at the ones making poor choices around and for those in their lives. I developed a particular fondness for Howard Hughes and appreciated Hepburn’s strong personality as a woman in the 1930’s. Had she lived long enough, I think she would have been quite the figure in the women’s movement of this century.

An eye-opening read, transporting the reader to the world of Hollywood and riches in the golden age. I enjoyed this read and am grateful for the opportunity to read it early.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked by the first sentence: “We don’t take cowards here.” And I kept turning pages, propelled by the short clips from different viewpoints, the charged energy of the story, the delicious setting in Hollywood’s golden age, and some of my favorite actors as main characters. Kate Hepburn. Cary Grant. And the novel ends with one of my favorite movies, The Philadelphia Story, which marked Hepburn’s return to prominence.

Kate comes alive, beginning with her tomboy childhood and the horrendous loss of a beloved brother.

Priya Parmar’s story is framed on history but filled out with imagining the lives lived behind the studio controlled facade, the secret lovers who would have scandalized the ticket box public, and the more acceptable public affairs. Grant and Randolph Scott. Grant and his first wife, Virginia Cherrill. Kate and heiress and ex-star Laura Harding. Kate and Howard Hughes. And what operation did Kate undergo before she disappeared for ten months?

The audience do not want to be dared. They want to be comforted, excited to an extent, naturally–but not like this, not in a way that makes them feel ashamed. from The Original

She was mesmerizing, unlike anyone else. Feted or villainized, lionized or forgotten, she withstood it all and prevailed to become the icon we love today.

The greatest mystery is the human heart. The Original offers a satisfying imagining.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable historical fiction read about Katharine Hepburn covering the years leading up to the 1939 release of The Philadelphia Story, which as used in this book is a paean to her beginnings.

Using an omnipresent narrator, this “biographical” novel tells Katharine’s story. Daughter of a prominent physician and suffragette mother, Hepburn most defining childhood moment was the death of her beloved brother Tom. The book moves forward 10 years or so after that to 1932 and Hepburn’s arrival in Hollywood. At this point the novel moves to vignettes of famous people in her life: Irene Selznick, Leland Howard, Cary Grant and others. Here the omniscient narrator gives us moments that show her character, the ups and downs in the career and how these friends supported her as risked all to set aside Hollywood’s vision for a female star.

This is marvelous book. It takes on a story of a woman pioneering her way to be authentic, love as she sees fit, and be true to her beliefs. The book’s structure lends itself to almost appearing to be a tell all (and Hepburn had plenty to tell if she wanted). The prose is crisp and engaging. You feel the old Hollywood vibe coming through.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s perfect for lovers of historical fiction - any historical fiction - or historical fiction of a Hollywood’s Golden Era.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this wonderful ARC.

[Cari Zuckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this novel, Parmar explores the life of legendary actor Katharine Hepburn in the 1930s. Daughter of a doctor and a woman’s rights activist, Kate suffers a tragedy in her teens that leads her to embrace life and set out to be someone. Parmar draws on speculation from the time period to flesh out what Hepburn’s love life, with both men and women, might have looked like. We are also introduced to other famous names such as Cary Grant, David Selznick and George Cukor.

The writing style in this book is very unique. While I got used to it, and even enjoyed it at times, I think some readers will find the tone uninviting. There was definitely a distance between the reader and the characters that was off-putting at times.

I enjoyed reading about the golden age of Hollywood and one of my favorite actors. It made me curious to read more about Katharine Hepburn. This book won’t be a fit for everyone but if you enjoy an inside look into Hollywood in the 1930s, definitely give it a try.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5* rounded to 3*. This fictional biography of Katherine Hepburn is interesting if the reader doesn't know about her life. I did not enjoy it because of the writing style: so abrupt, rather telegraphic, telling and definitely not showing. Even though I felt it might reflect Katherine 's personality, the more I read, the more the writing style disturbed me and became unpleasant. In the end, I did not feel I knew the fictional character in depth which I expect in a fictional novel. The author suggests at the beginning that Katherine's brother's death shaped her life. That might well be. However, I think her temperament was the same as before her brother's death according to this novel. I did not see any real insight into the actress's psychological development. For me, a disappointing read.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed old movies, and Katherine Hepburn has fascinated me for years, so the chance to read a biography about her was an opportunity I welcomed, but this book is unlike any biography I’ve ever read. It is presented in a style that mimics quick hits on blogs or possibly diary entries, jumping between Hepburn and other important figures in her life. It is jarring and takes time to get used to it. It is possible that this is the author’s style. It is the first book of hers that I’ve read.

At the same time, the book is well researched, covering with clarity the challenges Hepburn faced in her career and holds little back. The presentation is quick and does not allow rest, keeping the reader entertained and on edge.

Along with learning new things about Hepburn, I also enjoyed the books focus on Cary Grant and Howard Hughes, as the book presented new sides to them as well. Overall, the book has changed my impression of what I thought I knew.

[Wioletta Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original by Priya Parmar is an interesting and atmospheric look at Katharine Hepburn and her early years in 1930s Hollywood.

I went into this not knowing much about her life, which actually made it easier to get immersed in the story. The writing style really stood out—short chapters and quite clipped prose. At times it made the book feel quick, though occasionally a bit uneven, but it also felt like a deliberate way of reflecting Katharine’s personality.

I liked how the novel brings in figures like Cary Grant and Howard Hughes, which adds to the old Hollywood atmosphere. It’s not a glamorous, polished story—instead, it focuses more on identity, ambition, and the tension between public image and private life.

Overall, a thoughtful and slightly different take on historical fiction that left me curious to learn more about Katharine Hepburn.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Suzanne Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Katharine Hepburn and "Old Hollywood" movies and stardom, I relished every page of THE ORIGINAL and was sad when it came to an end. With elegant and engrossing writing, Priya Parmar's fascinating portrayal of Hepburn as a rising star delves into some of the star's deepest personal tragedies and her complicated loves. Hepburn comes to vibrant life with the force of a dazzling hurricane, and the other celebrities spotlighted in the novel are just as fascinating. Cary Grant, Howard Hughes, and other Hollywood legends are portrayed with thoughtful depth and riveting details, and their relationships with Hepburn ring with authenticity. Parmar brings the glitz of Hollywood glamour and bittersweet fickleness of fame to life on the page, and Hepburn herself shines with dauntless, acerbic glory. Fans of THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO will gobble this one up.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollywood in the 1930s is a town where nonconformity is best kept behind closed doors. A refugee from her marriage and the family she lacks emotional ties to, Katharine Hepburn is determined to live life on her own terms when she arrives in Tinseltown.

As her social circle expands to intertwine with the lives of the Hollywood Elite, can she remain true to her values?

This is a fascinating take on an iconoclast who left an indelible mark on the film industry as much through her refusal to be pigeonholed as in the enduring legacy of the classic films that she appeared in. This earns an easy 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published April 28, 2026.

3 stars

A fictionalized version of the life of Katharine Hepburn from her youth til 1933 or so, with a fair number of assumptions made. Plus, it almost seemed as if the author didn’t really like Hepburn. Maybe I’m wrong about that, but I had the sense she almost went out of her way to portray her in a fairly unsympathetic light for at least fifty percent of the book.

Book was interesting, though, as I love me some Hollywood scuttlebutt. I really do admire Hepburn, though, so I can’t say I loved the book. Maybe the author really wanted to be writing about Cary Grant, because his story is here as much as Kate’s.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the end, all lives are secret.

Kate’s problems still start with L: Luddy, Laura, Leland, Laurel Canyon, and literary exaggeration.

Kate was a private person who didn’t like speaking about herself and felt that assumption making about others was boring (I watched her family’s documentary on her called ‘Call Me Kate’) I wanted to like this book but it took rumors and ran with them and invaded Kate’s privacy in all the ways she would have hated.

That being said I liked the approach of the narrator and I thought the book moved along very well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Joy Matteson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the life of actress Katharine Hepburn, but it felt unfinished to me. Parmar examines the early life of Katharine Hepburn in present tense narrative, with multiple characters giving perspectives surrounding her stardom. Ultimately, the wide variety of people's perspectives and the slightly meandering and scattered storyline gave it a tripping quality for me. I kept waiting for Spencer Tracy to show up, since it wasn't clear to me that the author only wanted to showcase Hepburn's early years. Recommended for fans of pre-Code Hollywood days, not necessarily Hepburn herself.

[Merkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I enjoyed The Original. I don't know a lot about Katherine Hepburn so I can't really speak to any accuracies or inaccuracies. I really enjoy this time period. While the focus was primarily on Katherine Hepburn I loved seeing the side stories of the Selznick's and Cary Grant etc. I do think at times it felt a little long and maybe even a little dry. But it still made for a really interesting read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Shael Norris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put The Original down. It’s smart, vivid, and utterly absorbing—a behind-the-scenes look at early Hollywood that feels both thrilling and deeply personal. Parmar captures the fire and vulnerability of a woman inventing herself in a world determined to define her. A must-read.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the sound of this but sadly it just didn't translate for me. Way too much tell and not enough show. Struggled to connect with the way this was written.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Vanessa and her Sister and The Original is every bit as wonderful. Can’t wait to read it again.

[Mallory]

Erin recommend - fictionalized novel of Katherine Hepburn's life.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I liked the idea of this book, but the execution fell flat for me. This was very much more of a biography than a historical fiction novel. And there's nothing wrong with that - I just wish it had been marketed a little bit differently to emphasize that.