Actress Natalie Portman has expressed shock following the publication of author Rachel Cusk's new novel Life of M, which depicts details of her personal life.
What was previously viewed as a relationship of mutual intellectual respect between the 43-year-old Oscar winning star and the Canadian writer has broken down over the book's contents.
The plot features a protagonist named M whose life closely parallels that of Portman. Both reside in Paris and share identical career milestones, including early acting roles in sexualised parts, global acclaim for starring as a ballerina in Black Swan, and lucrative contracts with French cosmetics companies.
While Portman has maintained her customary silence, her inner circle has expressed deep frustration. Reports analyzing the release state that those close to the actress described the book as painful and rejected the notion of a deep friendship that the author allegedly exploited for her writing.
Autofiction and privacy concerns
Associates of the actress stated that her interaction with Cusk was confined to professional dealings and occasional participation in a book club. They expressed anger that personal biographical details were used without consent, particularly descriptions portraying the protagonist as alienated and unable to love.
Cusk is an established author known for autofiction, a literary form blending personal experience with fiction. She previously faced legal pressure when the initial edition of her book The Last Supper was withdrawn over defamation risks, and she drew criticism after sharing details of her divorce in her memoir Aftermath.
Portman, who guards her private life closely, previously faced public attention in 2016 when private email exchanges between her and novelist Jonathan Safran-Foer were leaked.
Cusk has remained completely silent regarding the identity of her protagonist. The publication of the novel in Spanish bookstores has prompted renewed discussion in cultural circles regarding the ethical boundaries of fiction and personal privacy.
