Art and humanity

If philanthropy is "a love of humanity," and the arts are what make us human (as some say), then philanthropists should engage with art. I'm concerned here with fiction writing. The (PBC) Philanthropy Book Club has collected a LOT of title recommendations, but I'm sad to see only two pieces of fiction on the recommended list:

Trust by Hernan Diaz

God Bless You, Mr Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut

I can add two more:

Entitlement, by Rumaan Alam

Playground, by Richard Powers

We need more fiction, in general and for the PBC. (There are many reasons. One is that I've read most of the things on the suggested list and my life ahead is too short to be re-reading books, especially academic or academic-adjacent nonfiction. I've also read the four fiction titles above, but re-reading them would be less of a chore). Check the reference section of Blueprint 2025 which lists several books with relevant themes and see if there's anything there that catches your eye. Scour your bookshelves, lurk in your well-read friends' living rooms/book piles. Ask your family, work colleagues, local librarians.

Take a broad view of philanthropy. Include collective action, communities working together, fights against oligarchy and autocracy, solidarity, mutual aid. Don't forget digital - ness. Got an AI novel with some characters working to make it "safe"? We can make that count.

An even more compelling reason to focus on fiction is that I'm sure we can find some translated works. IMHO, there is no better way (besides travel (can't) or emigration (won't. I'm here for the fight)) to hear from another country/culture than translated fiction.

Please drop your fiction suggestions in the comments.