The novel is set in a dystopian near-future America (2029-2047) where the U.S. economy has collapsed due to overwhelming national debt and the replacement of the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency.

The story follows the Mandible family, once wealthy and now struggling to survive after losing their inheritance due to the economic collapse. The novel explores how each family member adapts to the new reality, including issues like hyperinflation, scarcity of resources, and the breakdown of social order.