"A Narcissist's Guide to Philanthropy": A Hilarious Satire of Sydney's Millennial culture

SYDNEY - July 1, 2025 - PRLog -- Ever wondered how much good you could do in the world if only you cared a little less? Welcome to A Narcissist's Guide to Philanthropy by Louis Talay. This new novel sets the bar high for books about self-obsession and good deeds—yes, those two things actually show up together.

Mark and Jane are what you might call "winning at life." They live in Sydney's glamorous Eastern Suburbs. Their jobs sound impressive at dinner parties. Their social media feeds look better than your vacation. If there were a contest for best brunch, they'd probably win that too.

But under all that gloss, Mark and Jane are busy fighting the labels that everyone throws their way. Mark spends his time as a civil rights lawyer, but can't shake the feeling that he's always a step behind Jane's friend. Jane, the architect with more awards than most people have plants, would just like people to stop calling her a "boss bitch." She wants credit for having a normal social life. Imagine that.

The book follows their not-so-charming quest to fix these so-called injustices. Of course, nothing ever goes quite as planned. As they try to set the record straight, things start to fall apart. Their relationships suffer. Hidden truths start to leak out. The life they've been curating for the world starts to look a little less shiny.

This book takes a close look at Sydney's millennial culture. There are brunches, gyms, and more social causes than anyone can actually keep track of. It raises some uncomfortable questions: Is being "authentic" just another act? And does doing something good matter if you're doing it for the wrong reasons? Don't expect easy answers.

Louis Talay has written a satire that's sharp enough to cut through a few Instagram filters. The characters are familiar, even if you're not from Sydney. Maybe a little too familiar, but that's between you and your conscience.

You'll find yourself laughing at Mark and Jane's attempts to prove how misunderstood they are. You'll also cringe a little, mostly because you know someone just like them (or maybe you've been them once or twice). Either way, it's hard not to keep turning the pages.

With a voice at times reminiscent of Brett Easton Ellis' American Psycho and characters that would thrive in White Lotus, Louis Talay shows that sometimes the hardest truths are the ones hiding behind the best smiles. Is doing the right thing enough if you're doing it for yourself? There's only one way to find out.

Available from Amazon: https://shorturl.at/U1WZL