Extremely grateful for this review and for early readers whose responses have made me feel fractionally less terrified by the relentless march of time towards publication day (2 months to go)
👁 Sometimes a copy is mightier than the original. And the things you wish to hide might have other ideas… THE ORIGINAL by @nellstevens is out June 19! 👁
Deftly-plotted and shimmering with Nell Stevens’s distinctive intelligence, style and wit, THE ORIGINAL is a novel about the value of authenticity in art and in love, and what it means to be a true original 🖼️🎨
‘A marvellously inventive and perfectly forged novel that poses a mischievous question: what role does likeness play in love? The ghosts of Oscar Wilde and Wilkie Collins stalk these pages, whether they know it or not’ Eleanor Catton, author of Birnam Wood
#TheOriginal #NellStevens #Bookstagram #AmReading #NewBooks
We spoke with @nellstevens , about her 2026 Nota Bene Prize finalist The Original – an inventive and witty novel about identity, authenticity and the blurred lines between art and truth.
Set in 1899, the story follows Grace as the return of a long-lost cousin disrupts her household, raising unsettling questions about who he really is, and what she is willing to risk to find out.
It was lovely to chat with Nell on inspirations, creativity and hear more about her novel!
The 2026 Nota Bene Prize is decided by readers. Vote for your favourite finalist and help choose this year’s winner. Link in bio! 📚✨
@scribneruk #NotaBenePrize #TheOriginal
Sat 14 Feb 7pm Nell will talk and answer questions about her wonderful book surrounded by art in the main gallery.
£5 on the door. Wine available. Chipping Norton
#ArtandTalking
#theoriginal
#chippingnorton
#cotswoldsarts
#fountain
So grateful for the start The Original has had in the US - to @applebooks and @literaryhub and @goodreads and @electricliterature and all the booksellers who are helping this book find its readers. And to the readers who are finding it. Thank you!
‘There was a painting my family set on fire. It burned to ashes, and then it came back.’
Deftly-plotted and shimmering with @nellstevens ' distinctive intelligence, style and wit, THE ORIGINAL is a novel about the value of authenticity in art and in love, and what it means to be a true original.
To celebrate publication, thanks to our friends @scribneruk we’re giving 10 lucky readers a chance to win a free copy of the book.
To enter, simply:
📚 Like this post
📚 Follow @womensprize and @scribneruk
📚 Comment the name of your favourite painting
Good luck!
ENDS 30 June 2025 at midnight GMT. T&Cs apply. UK only. The winners will be picked from Instagram and Facebook. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Meta.
