University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

The quirky title and cover art first brought me to The Sisters Brothers, a Western I hoped might fill a few afternoons one summer.  But I soon found myself engrossed in the voice of a man who is — by turn — a murderer, outlaw, traveler, business partner, friend, son, and brother. The violence and meanness of the novel may strike some readers as excessive, but they succeed in making the truly tender moments all the more powerful. In particular, the novel has led me to ponder the contours of friendship and brotherhood, and the sacrifices one makes for each.