Satire

Drowning in the Shallows

A satire of Sydney society, a coming-of-age novel about a middle-aged man, and a heartwarming tale of a vicious cat.

The front and back cover of Drowning in the Shallows, a satire on Sydney society

Love is a fickle, furry monster

David’s journalism students petrify him. Then again, so does his cat. 

His girlfriend broke up with him, he writes about bars for a dying newspaper that’s abandoned news reporting for lifestyle articles, and he’s desperately searching for meaning amongst the backdrop of Sydney’s shallow social scene. 

Then he meets a young woman who just might be the answer. The only problem is, she’s a friend of one of his students.

Drowning in the Shallows is a comedy about heartache, a coming-of-age tale about a man in his 30s who’s only now growing up, a satire of society and a torrid love story about a man and his beloved evil cat.

Dan Kaufman
Writer and speaker.

What readers are saying

“Kaufman has created that rare thing: a searing social satire – lampooning love, sex, masculinity, fakeness, Gen Z – wrapped around a glimmering, 21st century coming-of-age story about a man and his cat. Grab your martini and strap in for the ride.”

Amanda Crawford

director of Periplum

“Laugh out loud funny.” 

 

Angie Kelly

ex Sydney Morning Herald and Sun Herald editor (travel, style and entertainment) 

“Dan Kaufman’s droll, lols-filled chronicle lifts Sydney’s velvet ropes and slings them into the harbour.” 

Mark Broatch

ex books & culture editor NZ Listener and SundayStar-Times

“If anyone’s qualified to write about cats and Sydney nightlife, it’s Dan.”

Alex Adams

Alex Adams, managing editor of Eat, Drink, Play