Sin Killer

Volume 1 of The Berrybender Narratives

By: Larry McMurtry

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1830, and the Berrybender family - rich, aristocratic, English, and fiercely out of place - is on its way up the Missouri River to see the American West as it begins to open up.

Lord and Lady Berrybender have abandoned their palatial home in England to explore the frontier and to broaden the horizons of their children, who include Tasmin, a budding young woman of grit, beauty, and determination, her vivacious and difficult sister, and her brother.

As they journey by rough stages up the Missouri River, they meet with all the dangers, difficulties, temptations, and awesome natural scenery of the untamed West.

At the very core of the story is Tasmin's fast-developing relationship with Jim Snow, frontiersman, ferocious Indian fighter, and part-time preacher. Known up and down the Missouri as "the Sin Killer," he's the handsome, silent Westerner who eventually captures her heart.

Against the immense backdrop of the American West, Larry McMurtry tracks this engaging family as they make their way up the great river, surviving attacks, discomfort, savage weather, and natural disaster. Sin Killer is an adventure story full of incident, and suspense, as well as a charming love story between a headstrong and aristocratic young Englishwoman and the stubborn, shy, and very American Jim Snow. As big as the West itself, this is the kind of story that only Larry McMurtry can write.

Listen to the other books in Larry McMurtry's Berrybender saga.

©2002 Larry McMurty. All rights reserved. (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc. All rights reserved. AUDIOWORDS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"The Great Western Novel is alive and well, thanks in no small part to McMurtry." (Booklist)

Vintage Larry McMurtry

I’ve read quite a few of McMurtry’s other books and this is the same western graphic earthy style that is comedic at times. I personally like the style although others may not. You get the sense this is how things really were, not a romanticized story. The narration is good although at times I would have preferred a bit more emotion. Overall an entertaining audio novel. On to volume 2!

recommended by a friend but didn't work for me

I'm only getting started listening to fictional books and although my friend enjoyed it this did not work for me but In fairness I didn't get past the first 45 minutes as it just did not seem worthwhile enough to continue on

Wonderful narration and superb writing

Alfred Molina reading Larry McMurtry is a combination that can't be beat. McMurtry's rich and idiosyncratic characters, compelling plots, and hilarious narrative deserve a lot more attention than they seem to get. He has a minutely-detailed knowledge of the history of the American West. Perhaps he draws on diaries and other first-person documents; reading him makes you think, "How could he think this stuff up? It must have really happened." I'm an older person who grew up in California, but it seems I never understood the West until I encountered Larry McMurtry. Lonesome Dove made me think I could even understand Texas! But I digress. The Berrybender Narratives are a not-to-be-missed treat. It's best to approach them in order, and Sin Killer is the first of four.

The Berrybender Narratives are just delightful

These books paint a vivid portrait of the western plains in the early 1800's. Terrible things happen but the violence is not graphic, rather a bit removed. It is there, but not gory. The clash of civilizations between the europeans and the frontiersmen is very humorous. The BerryBender's are very eccentric and self centered. The frontiersmen are self centered in a different way, that of self survival. Larry McMurtry's writing is excellent as always. I am now on the 4th book, Folly and Glory, and cannot put it down. The narration is also excellent well done. I will be sad when I am done with the series.

Intriguing through the entire series

What did you love best about Sin Killer?

the variety of characters, the location & time of the story. Currently reading the journals of Lewis & Clark and this fit right in with a lot of what they had gone through.

What did you like best about this story?

Whole family of Berrybenders traveling from England to the American west on a hunting trip.

Which scene was your favorite?

Tazmin Berrybender & James Snow at the river on their first meeting.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

there are spots that make you laugh (the Indian thoughts about the white man & each other) and there are places that make you sad.

Any additional comments?

Lord Berrybender is an egotistical and selfish person and his daughter Tazmin is very sharp tongued and opinionated. They offset each other through the entire book.

Alfred Molina does a very good job with all of the characters and draws you into the story.

Great Book

I have read all four in the series and this is the best of the four.

Entertaining Story with Excellent Narration

Alfred Molina is one of the best narrators in the business and he did not disappoint. The story was entertaining and included wit and funny lewd humor associated with Larry MacMurtry. however, none of the characters are virtuous. The Sin Killer character is a violent religious radical without an established moral fiber. Tasmin likewise in not an endearing character. It was difficult to be sympathetic to any of the characters as they had no shining virtues. There were no heros besides Sin Killer and he is not lovable.

Enjoyed Sin Killer

I'm very anxious to find out what happens next. These stories and other books by Larry McMurtry are so addicting.

Wild and fun!

I love the way the author depicts the upper class attitude toward the world and it’s inhabitants in the time period.

Excellant!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but doesn't. grab my attention as well as the lonesome dove series did. Overall it is still very well written and the performance was great.