Review: Life of M by Rachel Cusk

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding Rachel Cusk's latest novel, Life of M. Much of this controversy has been over questions over whether the novel is fiction or auto-fiction, the latter of which Cusk is quite skilled at. If it is the latter is the titular actress, known as M in the novel, based heavily upon Natalie Portman, with whom Cusk is acquainted with in Paris? And if so, is it wise for anyone to have created such an unflattering portrait?

Full disclosure, I do not know. The end of the novel certainly throws out some interesting clues, ones that are best left for the reader to discover for themselves. Ultimately, though, I found the book was more enjoyable when I did not focus to heavily on what has been said in the media.

Life of M tells of the observations of an unnamed author, currently based in Paris with their husband, who is tasked with following M, a Hollywood actress who has been famous since childhood, so that they may write a book about it. Intertwined with this are snippets of the author's every day life and observations, which seem very different to the life of the actress who, it seems, is doomed to play a part, both in front of, and away from, the camera. The observations of M become more and more unflattering as it becomes clear that they have no clear concept of self, of others, and what it means to live an ordinary life. This is particularly sharply observed in the scene where M attends an acting class with a number of people who have worked in the theatre and M's mishandling of an acting exercise. I found the ending, with the confrontation between M and the author to be quite satisfying even if it isn't the kindest or neatest way to end a book. 

Overall a satisfying observation fame versus the everyday.

Recommended.