A fascinating story about hidden realities- whether an heir to a fortune is an imposter, which is woven with a story of a young woman who forges paintings for a living. This novel is set in England at the end of the 1800’s. The writing is lush and evocative, and Steven’s keeps you guessing the outcome until the end. I had previously read two books by Nell Steven’s, and The Original seals her as a must- read for me.

Emily and Gen meet as high school girls, and begin a very close friendship. Gen is being raised by her grandmother, as her single mom has died of a narcotics overdose. Emily is being raised by a single mom, with occasional visits from her distant father. When they part after a contentious visit during freshman year of college, Emily has strong regrets. She masks these by beginning a relationship with an extremely wealthy Jack.

He falls deep for her; they marry, have children, but Emily cannot forget what she had with Gen. Though some of the book is from Gen's point of view, this is Emily's story, and she is a difficult character to deal with. Her decisions were too long in the making. Gen, on the other hand, becomes an Olympic athlete, and the look into her world as both an athlete and an "out" lesbian were much more authentic. The book did hold my interest until the end.