New novel Entitlement puts philanthropy on trial

NOVELISTS love to write about rich people. They love the contrast between their opulent lifestyles and the fragility of their relationships and emotions. From Anna Karenina and The Great Gatsby to Bonfire Of The Vanities and Crazy Rich Asians, these stories explore the paradox of how great wealth can complicate even the most basic human relationships such as friendships and family ties. Novelists want to believe that beneath the glamorous surface, there is simmering greed, envy, moral ambiguity and a tussle for power.

Meanwhile, readers love to read about rich people. Fans of Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians series, for instance, are often more drawn to the extravagant purchases, luxurious estates, lavish parties, far-flung travel destinations and over-the-top weddings than the actual narrative. 

These novels present an aspirational and unattainable lifestyle that some fantasise about. And when escapism is combined with a critique of the rich, readers can indulge in voyeuristic thrills while also being reassured that their own lives are not as hollow as those on the page – at least, that is what they are led to believe.