The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver - April book of the month. Read and join the Facebook Live with Lionel Shriver on Wednesday 10 May, 8.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

The Mandibles is our April book of the month and we’re delighted that award-winning author Lionel Shriver will be joining us on Facebook for a live chat on Wednesday 10 May, 8.30pm

Set in a near future USA where the dollar has become worthless, this is the story of the Mandibles family. Once super-wealthy, they are forced to come to terms with the fact their inheritance has turned to ash and, as the effects of the economic collapse begin to hit, they are faced with the sheer challenge of survival.

In this novel Lionel Shriver once again proves she’s one of the greatest social commentators in literature. She tackles big issues (global economy, race, class) but always with her trademark dry wit - in fact this is arguably her funniest novel to date.

Amendment: Lionel Shriver is now joining us to answer your questions on Facebook LIVE from 8.30pm on Wednesday 10 May

Please see our post further down the thread for more information

I loved this book. I was thinking about it for a long time after I'd read it.

Ooohhh man!!

I just bought this one

I would love this it's on my list to read this year!

The Post-Birthday World is one of my top 10 novels of all time.

I cannot wait to read this.

Ooh, that's something to look toward to, I've enjoyed all her novels. Haven't managed a read a single book since giving birth though, really miss it!

Yes please! I LOVES her writing. Heard her discussing this one on radio 2 the other day. Sounds v interesting idea, can't begin to imagine the world without money.

February rat, is Post birthday world the snooker one or the cancer one?

The Snooker one. And it's brilliant.

Great, MNet is so good for author webchats! Sarah waters, hilary mantel, and now lionel shriver!

Love love love love Lionel Shriver

Filled in the form I've read all of her books, she's an original, thought provoking voice.

Sooo want to read this!

Yes please. I love her books.

I love We need to talk about Kevin!

Yes please. Read her other books and definitely prefer paper to kindle. Thank you

So much for that is the cancer one. All of her books are amazing.

Ooh, Lionel Shriver and dystopian future? Yes please.

I loved this book and could not stop thinking about it for weeks.

I ADORE Lionel Shriver. What a great score for a webchat. Big Brother was the first one of hers that brought me in to her tribe - what a book.

Oh yes, I remember now. Loved both of those and Big Brother too. They're all so well written and very unsettling. We Need to Talk about Kevin is my absolute favourite still, wish I had read the book before I saw the film.

Going to apply now, We Need To Talk About Kevin is one of the best things I've ever read.

It is brilliant, but was very, very dark, too dark and unsettling for me (am a wimp!) I personally read it that Kevin was born a "bad egg" with propensity to do very bad things.

Can imagine dystopian will be VERY dystopian!

@Dozer I totally get what you mean. It's why I phrased it the way I did and didn't say it was one of my favourite books - I genuinely find it too disturbing for it to be one I return to when I fancy a reread, but my goodness it stayed with me for months.

(also, in hindsight, not ideal reading while pregnant with my first child! As if I wasn't terrified enough about the responsibility of helping form them into a rounded kind person!)

Thanks for another excellent writer Mumsnet. All of Lionel Shriver's novels have had distinct and challenging stories but all written in her engaging style. Looking forward to this one, whether I get a free copy or have to buy one!

I loved Big Brother, So Much for That and We need to Talk about Kevin.

But I'm not sure about this one...I gave up on Double Fault and I'm just wondering if the combination of dystopia and family crap will be too much.