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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Elle Hunt

Is Natalie Portman really the subject of Rachel Cusk’s new novel? Nine things you need to know about the literary hoo-haa

Rachel Cusk and Natalie Portman stand back to back against a colorful newspaper-collage background
Rachel Cusk and Natalie Portman. Composite: Guardian Design;Brian de Rivera Simon/Getty Images;Enric Fontcuberta/Shutterstock

Life of M, the latest book by the critically acclaimed author Rachel Cusk, is being billed by its publisher, Faber, as a “blazing interrogation of fame, power, beauty and truth” – and openly alleged as a thinly veiled portrait of Natalie Portman. For weeks before publication, speculation has swirled that its movie-star main character is based on Portman – to her reported displeasure.

With the book out this week, readers and critics alike are judging it as literature and gossip. Don’t want to read it yourself, but want to have an opinion? Here’s your crib sheet.

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