"The Mandibles" is a dystopian novel by Lionel Shriver published in 2016, set in the near future United States. The book follows the decline of the Mandible family, a wealthy and privileged clan that loses everything during a catastrophic economic collapse.

The Mandibles are a multi-generational family headed by Douglas, a retired publishing magnate, and his wife Luella. Their son, Carter, is a pompous and selfish intellectual who teaches at Georgetown University. Carter's daughter, Florence, is a successful writer and journalist who is living in Brooklyn with her husband Esteban, a chef.

The story begins in 2029, as the US dollar loses its status as the world's reserve currency, causing a sudden and catastrophic economic collapse. The Mandibles, like many other wealthy families, lose most of their wealth and are forced to adapt to a new way of life. Douglas and Luella are forced to sell their luxurious home and move in with Carter and his family. Carter is initially resentful of his parents but eventually comes to appreciate their wisdom and experience.

The novel follows the family over the course of several years as they struggle to survive in an increasingly chaotic and desperate society. As inflation skyrockets and the government becomes increasingly authoritarian, the family is forced to make difficult choices in order to survive. Florence and Esteban move to a small town in upstate New York, where they start a farm and try to live off the land. Carter takes a job as a janitor at a hospital and becomes involved in a revolutionary movement to overthrow the government.

As the years pass, the situation in the country deteriorates further. The government becomes increasingly repressive, imposing strict controls on people's lives and limiting their freedoms. The Mandibles are forced to confront the harsh reality of their new world, and each member of the family reacts differently to the challenges they face.

Florence becomes increasingly disillusioned with the government and starts to question her own beliefs about the role of the state in society. Carter becomes more radical and joins a group of rebels who are plotting to overthrow the government. Douglas and Luella, meanwhile, try to maintain a sense of dignity and grace in the face of adversity.

The novel culminates in a violent confrontation between the rebels and the government, as the country slides towards civil war. The Mandibles are caught in the middle of the conflict, and each member of the family must decide where their loyalties lie.

Overall, "The Mandibles" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that offers a chilling vision of a future that could be all too real. The book's characters are complex and fully realized, and the plot is both suspenseful and deeply unsettling. By exploring the consequences of economic collapse and government corruption, Lionel Shriver raises important questions about the future of our society and the choices we must make to ensure its survival.

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