Definitely a 4.5 or better. This was a wonderful novella of self-discovery. The setting is future, but throwing a dark mirror up to the old American West. In fact, it handily shows the emptiness of the wish fulfillment of returning to that so-called golden age of American exceptionalism. There isn't much room in a novella for world building so this stands up mostly on the characters. The language is lyrical and fluid and flows easily. Very recommended.