The Original
The stunning novel that takes us behind the scenes in the life of Katharine Hepburn
Will be published approx. on 18. June 2026
Book
Hardback
368 pages
978-0-7490-3339-2 (ISBN)
Description
'Anyone interested in Hepburn's early career will have a hard time resisting this stylish, insightful deconstruction of her carefully crafted public persona' New York Times
Katharine Hepburn was a legend. This is the novel of how she became one.
After the devastating loss of her beloved brother, young Katharine Hepburn determines that she will be famous and never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving behind her East Coast marriage and patrician family, she arrives in
1930s Hollywood determined to live on her own terms.
But the studio system has rules, and Kate - brilliant, bisexual and fiercely independent - refuses to follow them.
Moving through a glittering world of power and ambition alongside figures like David and Irene Selznick, Cary Grant, John Ford and Howard Hughes, she forges her own path. Kate faces an impossible choice: become the star Hollywood demands, or risk everything to be the woman she always was.
Blending meticulous research with incandescent imagination, Priya Parmar delivers an emotionally charged portrait of an icon who refused to be anything but original.
Katharine Hepburn was a legend. This is the novel of how she became one.
After the devastating loss of her beloved brother, young Katharine Hepburn determines that she will be famous and never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving behind her East Coast marriage and patrician family, she arrives in
1930s Hollywood determined to live on her own terms.
But the studio system has rules, and Kate - brilliant, bisexual and fiercely independent - refuses to follow them.
Moving through a glittering world of power and ambition alongside figures like David and Irene Selznick, Cary Grant, John Ford and Howard Hughes, she forges her own path. Kate faces an impossible choice: become the star Hollywood demands, or risk everything to be the woman she always was.
Blending meticulous research with incandescent imagination, Priya Parmar delivers an emotionally charged portrait of an icon who refused to be anything but original.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 38 mm
Weight
480 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7490-3339-2 (9780749033392)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Priya Parmar
The Original
The stunning novel that takes us behind the scenes in the life of Katharine Hepburn
E-Book
approx. 06/2026
Allison & Busby
€11.99
Not yet available
Person
Priya Parmar is the author of the novels Exit the Actress and Vanessa and Her Sister, a New York Times Notable Book, and co-writer of the musical Sylvia. She divides her time between the US and UK with her family and four rescue dogs.