Lionel Shriver's *[The Mandibles: A Family, 2029-2047](https://www.amazon.com/Mandibles-Family-2029-2047-Lionel-Shriver/dp/006232828X)* is an engaging novel that captures the imagination of anyone interested in the future of money, particularly those who are participating in the Bitcoin revolution. Set in an even *more* dystopian near-future America, the story follows the upper-middle class Mandible family as they navigate the consequences of a devastating economic collapse that leads to the disintegration of the once-mighty USD.
Shriver's vivid portrayal of a world thrown into chaos by the collapse of the dollar serves as a potent reminder of the potential vulnerabilities inherent in traditional financial systems...and in the illusion of wealth that those systems promote. In the novel, the Bancor, a new global currency, emerges as a response to this financial catastrophe. This narrative thread is especially thought-provoking for Bitcoin users.
The author's keen insights into the societal, political, and economic ramifications of the dollar's demise make *The Mandibles* an essential read for anyone who follows current financial news. Shriver's exploration of a near-future where the world's biggest centralized currencies have lost their footing echoes the current discussions about the banking situation in the United States and abroad.
As the story unfolds, the characters must adapt to a new reality where traditional financial structures no longer hold sway. This aspect of the novel resonates deeply with the principles that underpin the Bitcoin movement, reinforcing the importance of reimagining our financial and political systems and embracing innovative alternatives.
The book's characters are well crafted, each embodying unique reactions to the new economic reality they face. Among them, a once-affluent social worker, a self-absorbed academic, an unemployed tenant, a well-known writer returning from living abroad, and a psychotherapist, all struggle to adapt to the collapse of the dollar. However, it is Willing, a perceptive and resourceful teenager, who stands out as the character with whom most of us will identify. Willing's skepticism of traditional financial systems, coupled with his quick thinking and adaptability, make him an embodiment of the innovative spirit that drives the Bitcoin movement. I, personally enjoyed watching him [MacGyver](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver_(2016_TV_series)) his way through challenges that the adults around him simply couldn't grasp in time.
Enola, affectionately known as Nolly, is my second-favorite character (and probably will be yours). Nolly embodies a unique combination of seasoned pragmatism and unwavering moral integrity. Her presence in the novel as another outlier in the family adds nuance to the narrative.
Nolly's experiences and insights offer a compelling contrast to those of the other characters, including Willing. Her role in the story not only lends emotional weight but also serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and adaptability needed to survive and flourish in a world gone completely pear-shaped.
It's a shame that I hadn't even heard of this book until quite recently. It's interesting how much has happened since 2016 when the book was published. I highly recommend *The Mandibles* to anyone imagining what the world might be like when the USS Petrodollar finally sinks.
