Reviews

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

monster's review against another edition

2.5

Quick read with a sympathetic narrator, but while the premise was interesting, I felt the execution lacked the depth and complexity/conflict I was hoping for. I was honestly more invested in Eli's relationship with his horse Tub, who did nothing wrong, ever, in his life, than his relationship with his brother Charlie, who I found to be one-dimensional.

waffel113's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

‘And if there is a God he is a son of a bitch.’

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

klaireparavel's review against another edition

4.0

This book conjured up fond memories of watching Deadwood on Sunday nights. The dialogue is equally poetic and flowery and quite enjoyable. Even given their occupation, you feel (or at least I did) a certain simpatico and kinship with Eli Sister and less so his brother Charlie. As pointed out in the NYT review, this is indeed equal parts serious and parody Western. A quick, enjoyable read as long as you don't search too far for meaning or subtext.

timinbc's review against another edition

4.0

Two great characters, and just enough of a plot to display their characters and make then change, which is what the book is about.

It was odd to read this right after two of Steve Hockensmith's novels about Western detective brothers. Hockensmith's narrator is also the larger, younger brother whose older bro had to look after him in the wake of a tragedy.

You might be misled by some comments here that the book is full of dark humour. For that to be true, you have to count humour as that which makes you lift one corner of your mouth and possibly half an eyebrow. Thee's plenty of that.

If you don't like gore and violence, perhaps you'd spend your time more profitably with another book. This doesn't have an excess, but the two lead characters are very skilled killers and that is essential to the plot.

yeah_nahnia's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I've been putting this one off for years, but so glad I finally picked it up :) I loved that we were locked into Eli's perspective, and the way deWitt slowly developed and revealed the relationship of the brothers (and the sibling bickering was 💯!)

eleonoramiears's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hudsonmiears's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ajg022's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

kimmaloo's review against another edition

4.0

I give this 3.5 stars. It's an easy read but the characters and events stay with you after you finish.

hannahmccarl's review against another edition

2.75

It was fine. I found it a little boring and missing a true story line. Mostly following two brothers in a Western setting move through and out of their work as paid killers.