Rachel Cusk is back with her latest novel, Life of M, and it is already generating chatter about whether the protagonist is modeled after Natalie Portman. The story follows a celebrated film actor who has been famous since childhood and now represents a major fashion house. Much of the speculation stems from clear parallels between M’s career and Portman’s real life, such as the editing choices in her debut film and the specific themes of her ballet project.
The book centers on the dynamic between this star and a narrator who agrees to write her autobiography. While the project starts with the premise of documentation, Cusk quickly shifts focus to the strange intersection of fame, pretense, and reality. The narrator often feels like an actor, while M appears to be the only person truly occupying her own life. Cusk uses her spare prose to dissect how celebrity status creates a sort of friction-free existence that often lacks genuine connection.
Rather than a traditional plot, the novel unfolds in precise, film-like episodes. These scenes range from acting classes to curated luxury holidays in Greece, all described with a level of detail that highlights the emptiness of a life lived for public consumption. Cusk observes that in a world where everyone performs, the appearance of objects and places is often the only thing we have left to hold onto.
Ultimately, Life of M explores how fame corrodes family relationships and creates a cycle of public hunger. Cusk moves away from typical character development, choosing instead to use her narrator as a mirrored surface that reflects the illusion of celebrity back at the reader. While the book shows off her sharp technical skill, it leaves the reader with a sense of detachment. It is an impressive piece of writing, yet it remains cold, prioritizing intellectual observation over emotional warmth.