Set against the brutal backdrop of the 1850s American Gold Rush, "The Sisters Brothers" follows the notorious contract killers Eli and Charlie Sisters. These two brothers, bound by blood and a shared profession, are on a 1000-mile journey through the Oregon desert to Sacramento to eliminate a man named Hermann Kermit Warm. Charlie, the older and more ruthless, relishes the violence, while Eli, the younger, becomes increasingly introspective, questioning the moral compass of their lives and the bloody path they've chosen. Their odyssey is fraught with unexpected encounters, ranging from bizarre characters and desperate outlaws to moments of unexpected tenderness and profound melancholy. As they close in on their target, the brothers' relationship is tested, and the true nature of their mission, and Warm himself, begins to unfold in ways neither of them could have anticipated. This darkly humorous and poignant western transforms the classic genre into a profound exploration of identity, brotherhood, and the search for meaning amidst chaos.
Critical Reception
"Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Patrick deWitt's novel is widely acclaimed as a dazzlingly original and unforgettable modern Western."
Adaptations
A major film adaptation was released in 2018, starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riz Ahmed.