Sisters Brothers

Set against the rugged landscape of the 1850s Oregon Territory, Patrick deWitt’s novel follows two hired guns navigating the fading frontier. Narrated by Eli Sisters, a reluctant assassin who prefers quiet contemplation to violence, the story traces his journey alongside his volatile younger brother, Charlie. Together they pursue a contract to eliminate an eccentric alchemist whose mysterious gold-making scheme has drawn the attention of wealthy patrons. DeWitt’s narrative deliberately subverts traditional Western conventions, replacing frontier mythmaking with sharp dark comedy and philosophical reflection. The novel examines the corrosive nature of greed, the complicated bonds between siblings, and the moral ambiguity inherent in a profession built on taking lives. Through Eli’s wry, introspective voice, the book transforms a straightforward bounty hunt into a meditation on violence, capitalism, and the search for meaning in an increasingly commercialized world. Its distinctive blend of genre storytelling and literary precision distinguishes it within contemporary fiction, offering readers a fresh perspective on the American frontier.