{"product_id":"the-original","title":"The Original","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A riveting and unputdownable journey through fame, rebellion, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity.\"--#1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Christina Baker Kline \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A bold, breathtaking novel about the making of Katharine Hepburn--vivid, daring and full of emotional bite. This is a novel you press into your best friend's hands the moment you finish.\"--Paula McLain, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSkylark\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Paris Wife\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen young Katharine Hepburn loses her beloved brother, she makes two decisions: she will become famous, and she will never let anyone hurt her again. Leaving home at twenty-one to pursue an acting career Kate is lured to Hollywood, accompanied by her lover, Laura. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLos Angeles in the early 1930s is a town full of secrets and Kate has plenty to hide. Soon she is scooped into the studio system and launched as a star--but stars must play by the rules and Kate, brilliant, bisexual, and strong-willed, refuses to conform. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSurrounded 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, and betrayal. As her career ascends, she faces an agonizing choice: be the star everyone wants her to be, or risk everything to become the woman she always was. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe author of \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e Notable Book \u003ci\u003eVanessa and Her Sister\u003c\/i\u003e has created a propulsive, emotionally charged novel exploring the cost of fame. With sharp prose and unforgettable characters, \u003ci\u003eThe Original\u003c\/i\u003e is a story of love, aspiration, and the price of living authentically.","brand":"Ballantine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51943475413223,"sku":"9780593984130","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0449\/4075\/5096\/files\/imageloader_5c3241d4-a04b-4f5f-990b-1e91122bdba8.jpg?v=1775323635","url":"https:\/\/arvidabookco.com\/products\/the-original","provider":"Arvida Book Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}