The Sharpest Sight by

The Sharpest Sight follows Cole McCurtain, a man tasked with burying his brother Attis, a Vietnam veteran of mixed Choctaw and other origins. As Cole and his friend Mundo Morales embark on this mission, they uncover deep connections to their own mixed heritages, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery. The novel delves into the complexities of identity, family, and the lasting impacts of war, blending personal narratives with a rich cultural backdrop. Through their quest to honor Attis, Cole and Mundo confront their own pasts and the intertwined histories that shape their lives. The story is a poignant exploration of the bonds between brothers, friends, and the communities that define them, set against the backdrop of a nation grappling with its own history.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly · 2025-10-24

rich 4.25

The novel is set in a dusty, tight-strung little town filled with sins, secrets, and virulent racism. The reviewer appreciates the rich, full-bodied story that should be read by all who seek to understand the complexities of the human experience.

Publishers Weekly describes the novel as a rich, full-bodied story set in a dusty, tight-strung little town filled with sins, secrets, and virulent racism. They appreciate the author's ability to create a vivid and evocative setting that adds depth to the narrative. The reviewer also notes the novel's exploration of complex themes such as identity, racism, and the search for truth. Overall, they suggest that the novel is a compelling read that will resonate with readers who seek to understand the complexities of the human experience.

Quick quotes

A dusty, ``tight-strung little town'' riddled with sins, secrets and virulent racism against its Native American and Chicano inhabitants.

Wonderfully rich, full of magic and people who are magically alive, The Sharpest Sight is a fine novel that should be read by all who seek to understand the complexities of the human experience.

The novel's exploration of complex themes such as identity, racism, and the search for truth makes it a compelling read.

Kirkus Reviews · 2025-10-24

enthralling 4.00

The novel offers an intense and captivating exploration of the characters' psyches and relationships, making it a compelling read. The story delves deeply into the lives of the four men, focusing on their thoughts and interactions.

Kirkus Reviews praises the novel for its deeply introspective look at the characters' psyches and relationships. They highlight how the story is utterly enthralling, focusing on the four men's thoughts about work, love, and life. The reviewer appreciates the rich, interior exploration that makes the novel stand out. They also note the vivid portrayal of the town and its inhabitants, which adds depth to the narrative. Overall, the review suggests that the novel is a compelling read that will captivate readers with its intricate character studies and evocative setting.

Quick quotes

What we get instead is an intensely interior look at the friends' psyches and relationships, and it's utterly enthralling.

The four men think about work and love, about life and death, about their pasts and futures, about their relationships with each other and with the world around them.

The town is a character in its own right, with its dusty streets, tight-knit community, and simmering tensions.

MUSE (Project MUSE) · P Hadella · 1992-01-01

exciting 3.75

The novel is an exciting whodunit with plenty of suspense, suspects, and sex. The reviewer appreciates the rich tapestry of characters and the exploration of complex themes.

P Hadella's review highlights the novel's engaging mystery elements, noting that it is an exciting whodunit with plenty of suspense, suspects, and sex. They appreciate the rich tapestry of characters and the exploration of complex themes such as identity, racism, and the search for truth. The reviewer also praises the author's ability to weave together multiple storylines and create a compelling narrative. Overall, they suggest that the novel is a captivating read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Quick quotes

On the most superficial level, Louis Owens's The Sharpest Sight is an exciting “whodunit” with plenty of suspense, suspects, and sex.

The victim, a mixed-blood man, is found dead in a small, dusty town riddled with sins, secrets, and virulent racism.

Owens weaves together multiple storylines and creates a compelling narrative that explores complex themes such as identity, racism, and the search for truth.

Appears in Lists

10 Essential Native American Novels