Jesse Custer arrives in the tiny, corruption-riddled town of Salvation, Texas, seeking a temporary reprieve from his hunt for God. Taking the job of deputy sheriff, Jesse confronts Odin Quincannon, an industrialist who controls the local meatpacking industry and uses his influence to terrorize the citizenry. This volume shifts the focus from the road-trip format to a localized Western conflict. Jesse uncovers family secrets involving his mother, Christina, while dealing with the repercussions of his recent separation from Tulip and Cassidy.
Readers of gritty crime fiction and revisionist Westerns turn to this chapter for its grounded portrayal of small-town politics and corporate greed. The story provides a respite from the supernatural elements of the series to focus on Jesse Custer’s moral code and leadership. Those following the series gain clarity on Jesse's lineage and his capacity for establishing order without relying on his divine powers. The reader finishes the volume with a better understanding of the protagonist’s resilience and his readiness for the final confrontation.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1999
- Language
- EN
