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By Crystal, January 3, 2012

The Sisters Brothers
by Patrick deWitt

Is there a typo in the book title?  No, Sisters is the last name of Charlie and Eli, brothers and gunslingers who are the stars of Patrick deWitt’s second novel.  As the cover reveals, this book is a Western, but it’s a tale essential for anyone who appreciates a well-written story.

The Commodore  has hired Charlie and Eli to assassinate the prospector Herman Kermit Warm, so they set out on a horseback journey from Oregon to San Francisco.   Along the way the brothers encounter a grizzly bear, drink coffee brewed from dirt, get cursed by a witch, drink way too much brandy, and discover the benefits of dental care.   Eli’s heart isn’t in the killing anymore, but how do you break away from your brother and the only life you’ve ever known?

The Sisters Brothers was shortlisted earlier  in 2011 for the Man Booker Prize, and recently won the Governor General’s Award for fiction, one of Canada’s most prestigious literary prizes.  And it makes my top ten list of best books of the year!  Download a copy of the ebook for your Kindle or other ereader, or go for the printed version or traditional audio book.                      -crystal