"The Mandibles: A Family, 2029-2047" by Lionel Shriver is a dystopian novel set in the near future. The story begins in 2029 with Douglas Mandible, the 97-year-old patriarch of the Mandible family, celebrating his birthday with his children and grandchildren. Douglas is a wealthy publishing magnate who has accumulated a vast fortune over the course of his life. His four adult children, Carter, Avery, Lowell, and Florence, are all living in different parts of the country and have different professions and lifestyles.

The Mandible family is close-knit, but tensions arise when the United States government defaults on its debt, and the country's economy collapses. This leads to widespread poverty, unemployment, and civil unrest. The government implements drastic measures such as freezing bank accounts and imposing strict currency controls, which make it difficult for the Mandibles to access their wealth.

As the economic crisis worsens, the Mandibles are forced to sell their possessions, move in together, and rely on rationed food and basic supplies. The younger members of the family, such as Willing, the son of Florence and Esteban, a college professor, are hit the hardest. Willing is a talented artist, but he struggles to find work in the new economy and feels disillusioned with the values of his parents' generation.

Another important character is Goog, Carter's drug-addicted son, who represents the moral decay of the younger generation. Goog becomes involved in a criminal organization that operates outside of the government's control and is eventually killed in a violent altercation.

Throughout the novel, the Mandibles struggle to adapt to the new reality of the collapsed economy. They are forced to confront their own flaws and prejudices, as well as the limits of their resources and abilities. The family dynamics are shaped by the pressures of the new economy, as well as the generational conflicts that arise from the different values and experiences of each member.

One of the key themes of the novel is the relationship between money and power. The Mandibles have always enjoyed a position of privilege and influence in society, but the economic collapse exposes the fragility of their status. They are forced to confront the fact that their wealth and power are not absolute but are contingent on the stability of the larger economic system.

Another important theme is the impact of technology on society. The novel depicts a world in which technological advances have disrupted traditional economic and social structures. The collapse of the economy is in part the result of a technological revolution that has made many traditional jobs obsolete and created new forms of economic inequality.

The novel also explores the role of government in times of crisis. The collapse of the economy is largely the result of government mismanagement and corruption, which leads to a loss of faith in public institutions. The Mandibles are forced to rely on their own resources and ingenuity to survive, and they are wary of any government intervention.

Ultimately, "The Mandibles" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of economic collapse and the need for resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity. The novel depicts a world in which the collapse of the economy has profound and far-reaching consequences, both for individuals and for society as a whole. It is a powerful exploration of the human cost of economic collapse and a sobering reminder of the need to prepare for the worst while striving for the best.

In conclusion, "The Mandibles" is a thought-provoking novel that offers a bleak but compelling vision of the future. It explores complex themes such as family dynamics, economic collapse, technological disruption, and government intervention, and offers a warning about the dangers of complacency and the need for resilience and adaptation in times of crisis.