Otto of the Silver Hand

"Otto of the Silver Hand" by Howard Pyle is a historical novel, unfolding in the harsh world of the Dark Ages, where young Otto's life is a stark contrast to the violence around him. Born into the imposing Drachenhausen castle, he is immediately marked by tragedy, his mother's death a consequence of his father, Baron Conrad's, brutal nature. As Otto grows, his innocence is nurtured by the gentle Brother John and the peaceful refuge of St. Michaelsburg monastery, but the world outside threatens to shatter his tranquility. The story follows Otto's fight to hold onto his good heart as he grows up surrounded by violence and cruelty.