‘A literary assassination’: How Life of M sparked a Hollywood scandal

A Hollywood book controversy took an unexpected turn when Life of M was described as a form of literary assassination. The book sparked attention because of its portrayal of a real figure and the personal tensions surrounding its publication. Its release raised questions about where storytelling ends and personal betrayal begins, turning a literary work into a wider Hollywood scandal. Explore the story behind the controversy and what made Life of M so provocative. 

The queen of autofiction

Rachel Cusk is closely associated with autofiction, blending real-life details with fictional storytelling. In Life of M, the nameless writer and actress M creates a story where reality and invention remain difficult to separate. Valerie Stivers further fueled speculation by suggesting similarities between M and Natalie Portman.

The connection attracted attention because Portman has shown admiration for Cusk’s work, selecting two novels for her book club and interviewing the author. However, a source cited by Vanity Fair said the two had never been particularly close, leaving the supposed connection uncertain. This ambiguity has only increased interest in the novel.

Cusk’s use of autofiction makes Life of M especially intriguing because M challenges how the writer represents her life. That tension raises questions about identity, authorship and who controls another person’s story. The uncertainty between fact and fiction remains central to the novel’s appeal.

A ‘literary assassination’ of Portman

Natalie Portman has not been confirmed as the inspiration for M, but similarities in their careers have sparked speculation. M’s childhood acting, major-brand work and film roles echo Léon: The Professional, Black Swan and Vox Lux, making the comparison difficult to overlook.

The controversy deepened because M is portrayed as condescending, detached and focused on appearance and status. The Telegraph called the novel a “literary assassination” of Portman, while Vanity Fair reported that people close to the actress were unhappy with the portrayal. Portman herself has remained silent.

Yet M is still a fictional character shaped by the narrator’s perspective. The use of autofiction allows similarities with Portman to feel suggestive without proving a direct connection. This uncertainty keeps the boundary between fiction, reality and inspiration deliberately blurred.

Is the book actually any good?

Life of M may disappoint readers expecting a sensational Hollywood exposé, because the Portman parallels are less important than the novel’s wider examination of celebrity. Cusk uses M as a figure through whom she explores fame, public image and the pressure to remain visible, rather than telling a straightforward story about one actress.

At its heart, the novel is more interested in identity and authenticity than celebrity gossip. M’s life as an actress, constantly spent performing different roles, gives Cusk a natural way to question how people present themselves to others and whether anyone can truly escape those performances.

Cusk also examines the gap between public behaviour and private reality, suggesting that even close relationships involve forms of performance. Her focus on observation makes the novel feel less like a celebrity portrait and more like a study of human behaviour, where questions about authenticity become more important than identifying the real person behind M.

Conclusion

Life of M has attracted attention by deliberately blurring the boundary between fiction, reality and personal experience. The speculation surrounding Natalie Portman has added a Hollywood scandal to what is ultimately a deeper literary discussion. Rachel Cusk’s use of autofiction allows her to examine identity, celebrity, performance and authenticity in unusual ways. Rather than simply exposing a famous actress, the novel questions how public figures are understood and represented. Its controversy also reflects Cusk’s long history of challenging the limits of memoir and fiction. Whether readers focus on the Portman parallels or the novel’s ideas, Life of M remains deliberately provocative. That tension between storytelling and real life is ultimately what makes the book so difficult to ignore.