A Narcissist's Guide to Philanthropy

by Louis Talay

Mark and Jane have it high-profile jobs, perfect bodies, a property in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, and popular friends.

But beneath this shiny veneer, they’re grappling with society’s misunderstanding of their true identities. Mark, a hotshot civil rights lawyer, feels overshadowed by Jane’s close friend. Meanwhile Jane, a brilliant architect, dreads the thought of being labelled just a ‘boss bitch’ – a stereotype that belies her ‘wholesome’ social life.

As they attempt to correct the injustices surrounding their images, their carefully constructed world begins to crack. Relationships fray, secrets emerge, and their conflicting pursuits threaten to unravel everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

This biting satire of Sydney’s millennial culture provokes readers to
Is authenticity just another performance? And does the social impact of one’s actions excuse their shallow motivations?

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

Reviews

[Steve Kamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun this. As a card-carrying Gen-Xer, I felt a bit of smugness seeing the social media-fuelled superficiality and desperate desire for external validation stereotypically associated with middle class Millenials. My geographical displacement also lent me some distance from the social habits and practices of the Sydney eastern suburbs cohort. The story rattles along, there was enough character description to draw me into opinions and judgement of the protagonists. At which point I realised - I don't get a free pass on this either. It's a clever idea and really well delivered that found me asking myself about how much I buy into vanity and confected righteousness that the story shines a light on.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Louis in Czech Republic, almost 10 years ago, English isn’t my first language and during that period in CZ he helped me with the language and showed me how a great mate he is and a very interesting storyteller. Everyone was always stargazed by every time Louis had something to say or a story to share.
When I heard about the book I thought that it was a good chance to keep practicing my English and supporting a friend, and I was sure that it would be an amazing book.
The book itself is very authentic and it’s a reflection of how society and our social life have a big impact in our life’s, motivations and beliefs.
Waiting for the next book!!

[Reader]

Louis Talay’s debut novel is a knockout. For those of us (like me) who don’t really understand millennials … it’s a must. For those who do … It’s even more so! A social satire that leaves no-one untouched – boomers, GenZ, GenY and Millennials - but makes us all think seriously about who we are, what we want and how we achieve it. As a reading experience, I couldn’t put it down: a page-turner right until the end. I was waiting to see what would happen and I wasn’t disappointed.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! The writing style was really fun, I was impressed with the details put into each character adding to the social commentary. I liked the build up, the final chapters were paced really well, it was really easy to immerse myself into it as a lot of character definitely felt like people around Sydney and/or parts of myself.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smartly written book and an honest snap shot of today’s society. The author excellently takes the reader on the journey of the main characters trying to achieve what they perceive a successful and fulfilled / wholesome life. Worth a read!

[Geoff Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining and thought-provoking read. A really accurate social commentary of western optimization culture. I had to bite my lip in some sections as I saw parts of myself and my friends in Mark and Jane.

[Angus Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book LT. well done

I didn’t like that I sympathised a bit with Mark, but I guess I was due some introspection.

Good luck with it! It is worth a read, particularly if you grew up or reside in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney

[Sarah Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty dark, but engaging