Rachel Cusk's 'Life of M' Reviewed

A new novel by novelist and essayist Zadie Cusk, titled Life of M, has entered the literary conversation as a fictional biography that mirrors the career of a contemporary film star reminiscent of Natalie Portman. Cusk, known for her sharp social comedies and her more recent “wintry autofiction” in the Outline trilogy, uses the book to probe the paradox of celebrity life—“to always be playing a part is to have no home”—in a style that blends observational wit with a detached, almost clinical tone.

The narrative is presented in Cusk’s signature sans‑serif typeface, deliberately stripped of decorative flourishes to reinforce the book’s austere, abstracted portrait of fame. The protagonist, a Hollywood actress whose public persona echoes Portman’s, is depicted through a series of vignettes that reveal the performative nature of stardom. A striking passage reads, “Everything I did or said in her company was false. It was as if I was acting, while M came across as authentic and real,” underscoring the tension between authenticity and performance that the novel explores.

Critics have noted the work’s cosmopolitan and self‑serious tone. The New York Times described it as “rarefied, cosmopolitan, self‑serious,” praising Cusk’s ability to balance sharp commentary with a nuanced portrayal of celebrity culture. Life of M thus continues Cusk’s trajectory of blending literary experimentation with cultural critique, offering readers a fresh lens on the performative aspects of public life.