- Paperback: 88 pages
- Publisher: Digireads.com (January 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1420935046
- ISBN-13: 978-1420935042
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 136 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #659,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-9-Although Howard Pyle's 1888 tale about medieval Germany may seem an unlikely choice for 21st century children, Otto of the Silver Hand has audience appeal for fans of the Arthurian legends. Born into a baronial family that is already engaged in a blood feud with another noble house, motherless Otto is sent to live with monks while still an infant. Reclaimed at age 12 by his militant, but loving father, the gentle-natured boy is kidnapped and mutilated by the rival family. Fortunately, Otto finds comfort with his captor's daughter, Pauline, who helps him escape. His father's courage and cunning allow the lad's safe return to the monks who place him under the emperor's protection. His silver hand is a replacement for the one Otto lost while in captivity, but his injury does not prevent him from maturing wisely and marrying Pauline. Geoffrey Howard's crisp diction and nuanced characterizations enhance this classic story which is more likely to be listened to than read. The recording opens with a brief, informative biography of Pyle, and uses his original artwork on the cover. The case is a durable plastic with useful information, and the cassettes are well-marked. While this is not a necessary purchase, it is a worthy addition to any audiobook collection seeking lesser-known classics in children's literature.
Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
Written in the style of traditional Arthurian legends, "Otto of the Silver Hand" is a scathing tale of the realities behind the chivalric ideal. During the course of his studies of medieval society, in preparation to write a magnificent series on King Arthur's Court, Howard Pyle shockingly discovered a mentality of cruelty and vengefulness among the legendary knights, which he brings to light in this work. However, these criticisms cannot overshadow the high sense of adventure in the story and illustrations of Otto, the gentle-natured son of a German warlord who, reclaimed from a monastery at age 12, suffers under the hands of a vengeful family rival, Baron Henry. While being held prisoner he falls in love with Baron Henry's daughter, Pauline, until he's rescued by his father and escapes his captor's grasp. The chase ensues in this epic tale of a young man overcoming hatred and strife with goodness and love.
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First Sentence
Up from the gray rocks, rising sheer and bold and bare, stood the walls and towers of Castle Drachenhausen. Read the first page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt
Up from the gray rocks, rising sheer and bold and bare, stood the walls and towers of Castle Drachenhausen. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | Excerpt
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not for 4 year olds (or maybe even 8 year olds),
By
This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand (Paperback)
There are many reviews that describe how wonderful this book is, which it truly is. However, there are phrases and words out of use, such words as dost, thou, weasand, and phrases such as "mare's egg". More importantly, there are many gaps in the book that all but the most precocious 8 year old reader will not be able to cross, leaving them lost in the story. It might work to read to younger children and explain the gaps, but certainly not to 4 year olds.I can only describe this book as being written out of love, though modern readers may object to absolute "goods" that are identified in the book. Two are the monastery and the King. The later is much the same as the Disney/Grim's fairy tales ilk. There is a fair amount of implied violence in the book, though only one explicit scene comes to mind, when the father, to save the life of his son, sacrifices himself to his arch enemy.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Double whammy - art plus story!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand (Paperback)
Howard Pyle (1853-1911) was a famous artist, storyteller, and teacher. His was a strong influence on the Brandywine Group of artists. He taught at Drexel Institute in Philadelphia (now Drexel University), and his pupils included Maxfield Parrish and N. C. Wyeth. The latter's son, Andrew Wyeth, was influence by Pyle's "precision and elegance of line." The illustrations in Otto of the Silver Hand show these characteristics in 25 full page illustrations plus headpiece and tailpiece drawings for each of the 14 chapters. The exciting story of Otto concerns the growth of a boy living in the Middle Ages, who becomes advisor to a King, and practices the motto, "Better a silver hand than an iron hand."
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, lyrical and haunting,
This review is from: Otto of the Silver Hand (Paperback)
I first read Otto of the Silver Hand as a child and was completely intrigued by its medieval feel and simple, yet poetic, grandeur. I can honestly say that it is one reason that I went on to become a medievalist. As an adult, I've enjoyed it even more. Pyle's evocative illustrations add enormously to the mood and beauty of the work. I strongly recommend it for people of all ages and particularly as a good book to read aloud to children.
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