Rachel Cusk’s latest novel, *Life of M*, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, continues the author’s experimental approach to narrative and character. The work follows two central figures: “M,” a renowned movie actress, and “I,” a writer who is closely aligned with Cusk herself and seeks to craft a book about M. Set in a Paris-like city, the novel explores themes of identity, celebrity, and artistic integrity through a fragmented, often abstract style.
The character M bears a notable resemblance to actress Natalie Portman, a connection Cusk has neither confirmed nor denied. Throughout the novel, references subtly echo Portman’s career, such as M’s debut in a film that parallels Portman’s role in *Léon: The Professional* and the writer’s past portrayal as a ballerina reminiscent of Portman’s role in *Black Swan*. This allusion extends into modern celebrity culture, with the novel touching on events like an online book club interview conducted by Portman and her public admiration for Cusk’s previous work.
The narrative structure of *Life of M* incorporates shifting perspectives, including moments of first-person plural narration that observe peripheral figures, such as homeless populations or servants. These passages provide a contemplative, philosophical tone, offering meditations on memory and existence, which contrast with the intimate and often tense interactions between M and the writer.
In the story, M initially consents to the writer’s project but later expresses discomfort with how she is portrayed, criticizing the depiction as hurtful and incomplete. The novel portrays M as someone distanced from common human experiences such as depression and vulnerability, emphasizing her celebrity status as a kind of isolating force. This detachment is further underscored by scenes in which M’s acts of kindness are interpreted as performative, and by the portrayal of her as highly conscious of her public image, including her physical appearance and diet.
Critics have noted that the novel delves deeply into the theme of cruelty as a necessary element of storytelling, reflecting on the harsh realities behind fame and artistic success. Food and physicality are recurring motifs, used to emphasize M’s self-restrained existence and the pressures of her public persona.
*Life of M* continues Cusk’s trajectory as a leading figure in autofiction, blending autobiographical elements with fiction in a style that some describe as rarefied and self-serious. The book engages with contemporary questions about the nature of celebrity and identity in an era when digital personalities increasingly eclipse traditional film stars. While the novel’s abstract and elliptical form may challenge readers, it reinforces Cusk’s reputation as an innovative writer grappling with the complexities of modern life and art.