If the US collapses, you might blame someone—anything—but don’t blame Emily St. John Mandel. Her new book, Exit Party, imagines dystopian futures, but cautions that the seeds of collapse can be seen now.
Mandel’s work is a stark reminder that the US is already on a precarious path, with polarization and surveillance creeping like shadows. Yet, there’s hope in her narrative, urging us to be better in the face of chaos.
The book’s timing couldn’t be more poignant. Mandel started writing in 2022, when the signs of division were already clear. Yet, she warns, it doesn’t take a prophet to see the future. It’s a call to action, to be proactive rather than reactive.
In an interview with WIRED, Mandel discussed her book, reflecting on the political anxieties of the time. While the scenarios in Exit Party are terrifying, the message is not. Mandel believes in the resilience of humanity, urging readers to think about what kind of person they want to be in a collapsing world.
Ultimately, Exit Party is not just a tale of despair, but a guidebook for resilience. It’s a reminder that in the face of uncertainty, action is the best response. So, while you might blame someone—anything—don’t blame Emily. She’s just telling the truth as she sees it.
