https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FC273KHD
Editorial Review For A
Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy
This book opens with Mark, a lawyer who seems allergic to humility,
performing what he’s certain are acts of public good—though you might suspect
he wants an audience more than gratitude. The story bounces between Mark and
Jane, his fiancée, who manages her own cocktail of ambition and
self-reflection. The plot follows their daily routines, commutes, run-ins with
old friends, and social performances. The theme isn’t subtle. Social media,
status games, and a desperate need for recognition lurk in every conversation,
every LinkedIn check, every towel purchase for the beach.
The book shines in its depiction of how people can convince themselves
they’re selfless when the mirror says otherwise. You get endless inner
monologues about “rules” for posting on social media, what makes a good towel,
and why being recognized online matters more than admitting it. There’s enough
self-satire here to make you wonder if Talay wrote half this book while
side-eyeing his own LinkedIn profile. Another strength of A
Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy is how it skewers these
modern-day habits with a straight face. Every tiny interaction turns into a
low-stakes battle for social clout.
The book sits comfortably in contemporary literary fiction, with sharp
dialogue and a healthy dose of cynicism about urban life, millennial hustle
culture, and modern relationships. It taps into trends where novels try to
dissect the “bubble” of city professionals. Readers who like Sally Rooney’s
characters but wish they’d just admit how much they care about Instagram will
probably find a lot to laugh at here.
This book is for anyone who has ever spent more than ten seconds wondering
how many likes their last post got. If you know someone who pretends not to
care about social media, but checks it ten times an hour, this is their field
guide. It’s also for readers who enjoy novels that call out self-importance,
especially when it comes with a suit, a set of gym routines, and an overworked
sense of irony.
If you are hoping for a heartwarming story about true giving, look somewhere
else. A Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy is here to
remind you that even the most “thoughtful” acts might come with an internal PR
campaign. It’s equal parts satire, cringe, and uncomfortable honesty. Read it
to see just how ridiculous self-importance can get, and maybe, just maybe,
you’ll feel a little bit better about your own worst habits. Or not. That’s
your call.