Riders of the Silences

"Riders of the Silences" by Max Brand is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces us to Pierre le Rouge, a novice who has been raised in a Jesuit institution, and explores his transformation into a man of action when driven by the complexities of identity, duty, and vengeance. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of northern wilderness and touches on themes of self-discovery and moral conflict, particularly as Pierre grapples with his past and his relationships with figures like Father Victor, who has greatly influenced his upbringing. The opening of the novel establishes a tense atmosphere as we are introduced to Father Anthony and Father Victor, two priests engaged in a critical conversation about their pupil, Pierre. Father Victor expresses a deep pride in Pierre, labeling him a "thunderbolt" destined to spread their faith among the wild people of Canada. However, this pride also teeters on the edge of obsession, especially as Pierre's gentle nature contrasts with the violence inherent in his mission. The text hints at Pierre's struggles with his newfound identity after receiving a letter from his estranged father that shatters his understanding of family and belonging. The chapter concludes with Pierre determined to embark on a journey to confront his father's past, setting the stage for an exploration of revenge and redemption. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frederick Schiller Faust was an American writer known primarily for his Western stories using the pseudonym Max Brand. As Max Brand, he also created the popular fictional character of young medical intern Dr. James Kildare for a series of pulp fiction stories. His Kildare character was subsequently featured over several decades in other media, including a series of American theatrical movies by Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a radio series, two television series, and comics. Faust's other pseudonyms include George Owen Baxter, Evan Evans, Peter Dawson, David Manning, John Frederick, Peter Henry Morland, George Challis, and Frederick Frost. He also wrote under his real name. As George Challis, Faust wrote the "Tizzo the Firebrand" series for Argosy magazine. The Tizzo saga was a series of historical swashbuckler stories, featuring the titular warrior, set in Renaissance Italy.