The novel centers around an unnamed writer who decides to make a famous actress, referred to as M, the protagonist of her new work. In the book, the star is portrayed as a cold, self-satisfied person who meticulously controls her public image.
It is the details of M’s biography that led many to speculate that the character could be based on Portman. The heroine reveals that she began acting as a child, and one of her first films effectively ended her childhood. Portman landed a role in the film “Léon” at the age of 11, and by the time of filming, she was 13.
There are other coincidences as well. The novel states that M’s parents sought to change the script of her first film, and after the film’s release, the girl was bullied by her peers. Portman has previously spoken publicly about similar episodes in her life.
Critics found an even more transparent hint in the mention of a ballerina role. In 2010, Portman played the lead role in Darren Aronofsky’s psychological drama “Black Swan” and won an Oscar for her performance.
The action of “Life of M” also unfolds in an unnamed city reminiscent of Paris. Both Portman and Cusk live in the French capital.
Adding further intrigue to the story is the fact that the actress has openly admired the writer’s work in the past. Portman included Cusk’s works in her book club, invited her to a public discussion in 2022, and mentioned that she was a fan of the author herself.
In the wake of the novel’s release, reports emerged in the press that Portman was allegedly outraged by the book. Anonymous sources close to her claim that the actress does not see herself as resembling the character M and categorically denies any involvement in the creation of the work. Portman has not publicly commented on the situation, so reports of her reaction remain unverified.
Rachel Cusk also did not directly answer the main question — whether Natalie Portman truly served as the prototype for the heroine. However, the writer admitted that the tabloid frenzy surrounding the book has been a heavy burden for her. According to Cusk, attempts to establish which real events and people are hidden behind the artistic text effectively turn the discussion of the novel into a debate about the accuracy of facts. The writer believes that the book should speak for itself.
Meanwhile, the discussion about a possible prototype has already overshadowed the literary aspect of “Life of M.” The novel addresses themes of fame, beauty, power, public image, and the boundaries between real life and artistic fiction.
The book “Life of M” is already on sale. And although Cusk has not confirmed that the mysterious M is Natalie Portman, the numerous coincidences have made this question one of the most discussed literary topics of late summer.