The Mandibles is a dystopian novel written by Lionel Shriver. The story is set in a near future, where the US economy has collapsed, and the country is facing unimaginable economic crises. The novel portrays a family, the Mandibles, and the ways they cope with the economic meltdown that surrounds them.

The novel presents a stark image of the American economy in the near future, where the country is facing a massive economic crisis. The collapse of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency rocks the global economy, and the US struggles to deal with hyperinflation, widespread unemployment, and a lack of basic essentials like food and water.

The novel revolves around the Mandible family and how they cope with the economic crisis. At the start of the book, the family members are separated, but they reunite at the deathbed of the family patriarch, Douglas Mandible. With their inheritance wiped out, the family members must navigate the new economic reality, which forces them into struggle and survival mode.

The Mandibles is also a story about generational differences and how different generations cope with the crisis. The older generation, represented by Douglas Mandible, is revealed to be complacent and stuck in their ways, relying on old world beliefs and ideas to navigate the crisis. The younger generation is represented by Willing, Douglas's granddaughter, who is more adaptable and open-minded about the new reality and the need for change.

The novel highlights the role of the government in society and how its policies and decisions impact individuals and families. The Mandibles criticize the government for its failure to deal with the economic crisis and point out the corrupt, self-serving nature of the political elite.

The Mandibles offers a critique of capitalism and its emphasis on individualism and profits over social welfare. The novel portrays capitalism as a system that creates vast inequalities and leads to moral bankruptcy at both the individual and societal levels. The novel suggests the need for a new economic model that values community, collaboration, and social welfare.

At its core, The Mandibles is a book about family and its importance in difficult times. The novel demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love, and the need for human connection in times of crisis. Despite the challenges, the Mandible family members pull together and support each other, showing the strength of family bonds.

In conclusion, The Mandibles is a thought-provoking novel that offers a grim but realistic portrayal of what could happen in the US in the near future. The novel's emphasis on generational differences, government policies, capitalism, and family underscores the need for profound societal change, and the importance of adapting and evolving in the face of crisis.