Booker Prize 2026 · Audiobook Review
Written by Luke Kennard · Narrated by Luke Kennard
A funny, inventive and increasingly absorbing novel about work, ambition and the strange stories we tell ourselves to keep life moving.
The Story
Black Bag follows an out-of-work actor living with his childhood friend Claudio, whose succession of peculiar projects includes an imaginary version of Sweden. What begins as something funny and rather odd gradually becomes increasingly absorbing, as reality and invention start to blur. I wasn’t quite sure where Kennard was taking me at first, but by the end I was thoroughly enjoying the ride.
The Narrator
Luke Kennard narrates his own novel, and it works extremely well. His dry, understated delivery suits the book’s peculiar humour, and by the end I couldn’t really imagine anyone else reading it. My one reservation is that the dialogue voices aren’t always distinct enough, so occasionally it takes a moment to work out who is speaking.
The Waffleometer
There’s plenty of oddness here, but not much waffle. Kennard keeps things moving, and even Claudio’s increasingly elaborate projects never felt like padding. It’s inventive rather than indulgent.
Scores
Story & Writing: 4.5 / 5
Narration: 4 / 5
Waffleometer: 1 / 5 (lower is better)
The Verdict
I thoroughly enjoyed Black Bag. It’s funny, inventive and wonderfully strange, and the more time I spent with it, the more it won me over. Luke Kennard’s narration feels completely at home with the novel’s peculiar world. I was delighted to see it make the Booker shortlist.