T he unnamed narrator of Luke Kennard’s novel is an out-of-work actor living in London. His last job was three months ago, he is behind with his rent and has “measured out my life in coffees I cannot technically afford”. So when he comes across an advert – “Male actor required for psychological enquiry. Non-speaking but discretion and devotion to restrictive performance requirements obligatory” – he offers his services.

The job, he discovers, is at a university working under a psychology professor named Dr Blend. There he must strip to his underpants and zip himself into a black leather bag, in which there are two eyeholes and further holes for his feet.…