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Black Bag by Luke Kennard review
Drawing on a real-life 1960s experiment, this story of an out-of-work actor paid to cover himself in a black leather bag fizzes with wit and invention
TL;DR
- The novel "Black Bag" by Luke Kennard features an unemployed actor taking on a surreal job.
- The role involves sitting motionless in a lecture hall, covered only by a black leather bag, for a full term.
- The premise is based on a 1967 real-life experiment by Charles Goetzinger at Oregon State University.
- The story satirizes late-capitalist and technocratic societies, particularly focusing on millennial and creative life.
- The actor's friend, a livestreamer, sees monetization potential, while a professor is intrigued for post-humanist research.
- The narrative explores themes of acceptance, the state of masculinity, and friendship in contemporary times.
- It offers a forlorn depiction of modern life, including constant rejection and waning hope.