"The Incredible Shrinking Man" is a science fiction novel by Richard Matheson, published in 1956. The story follows Scott Carey, a man who begins to shrink after being exposed to a mysterious cloud of radioactive mist. As he diminishes in size, he faces increasingly dangerous challenges in his everyday life. As Scott shrinks, he encounters various threats, including household pets and insects, which become formidable adversaries. The narrative explores themes of isolation, fear, and the struggle for survival, ultimately leading Scott to confront his own existence and the nature of humanity as he becomes smaller and smaller.