what I find particularly bizarre is that this guy was obviously clever enough and competent enough to succeed in the publishing world without all the lies and manipulations. He just wanted to do so.

I find that particularly disturbing too. He decided not to have sincerity in any of his relationships and abuse sympathies. He didn't need to, but he wanted to. And I'm just like... why would you want that? After laughing at everyone behind their backs, aren't you lonely at all?