Rachel Cusk's Upcoming Novel Allegedly Reflects Relationship with Natalie Portman

Rachel Cusk’s forthcoming novel, *Life of M*, is believed to portray actress Natalie Portman, who is reportedly distancing herself from the book. Early reviews suggest that the character 'M' in the novel, an actress, shares similarities with Portman, including her history as a child star and her role in a ballet film, which parallels Portman’s Oscar-winning performance in *Black Swan*. Cusk's novel is set to be released at the end of next month, and sources indicate that Portman feels a sense of betrayal regarding the portrayal. Some critics have noted that the novel does not fully recognize Portman as a person beyond her fame. However, other sources close to Portman assert that she and Cusk are not friends and have only met a few times. The narrative concludes with a confrontation between the character and the writer, where the character finds the portrayal hurtful but allows publication under the condition of anonymity. The Daily Beast has sought comments from Portman's representatives.