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Milkweed Triptych #0.5
What Doctor Gottlieb Saw
Gretel has wires in her head. Gretel likes to pick wildflowers. Gretel is one of the subjects on the farm, and she is Doctor Gottlieb's responsibility, but she knows something she isn't telling -- and if Doctor Gottlieb doesn't figure it out, it may be his body in a ditch next. This story is set in the world of Ian Tregillis's Milkweed series, which began with Bitter Seeds.
26 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 10, 2018
An insanely interesting story. I want to know more. I could have read a whole series on this girl.
December 12, 2015
3.5
What Doctor Gottlieb Saw is a prequel of Milkweed Triptych series I've heard a lot about. Not my favourite time setting (WWII or around), but it's alternate history combined with paranormal elements and science fiction, so I will probably like the whole series.
This story takes place on a farm where they are experimenting on talented individuals (telekinesis, clairvoyance and such) and one of them dies during an experiment.
Doctor Gottlieb is part of medical personnel and he fears he might be next in line to be executed because of that failure. He does everything he can to find out what exactly happened during the experiment. Although he partly suspects the truth, he is still surprised where his investigation takes him.
I liked it.
What Doctor Gottlieb Saw is a prequel of Milkweed Triptych series I've heard a lot about. Not my favourite time setting (WWII or around), but it's alternate history combined with paranormal elements and science fiction, so I will probably like the whole series.
This story takes place on a farm where they are experimenting on talented individuals (telekinesis, clairvoyance and such) and one of them dies during an experiment.
Doctor Gottlieb is part of medical personnel and he fears he might be next in line to be executed because of that failure. He does everything he can to find out what exactly happened during the experiment. Although he partly suspects the truth, he is still surprised where his investigation takes him.
I liked it.
August 24, 2013
What Doctor Gottlieb saw is very much an introduction to Gretel. If you have read Bitter Seeds you’ll know that Gretel is probably the most dangerous of all the characters. Even before she was experimented on she wasn’t right, the farm merely gave her the talent to be very very good at being bad.
Dr. Gottlieb works on the farm, he is pretty much the farm’s shrink. Everyone needs a bit of help coping with what is going on there, but Gretel is really starting to come into her own her and Gottlieb is getting worried.
I was a bit concerned when I started this that I would remember enough from Bitter Seeds but as it all came back as I read the first paragraph. I don’t think you need to have read any of the Milkweed books to appreciate this, but it is probably better to read it after the first.
Tregillis has really created a monster in Gretel. At first you don’t really think that her talent, prescience is hugely dangerous, but think about it. If you know the consequences of all your actions and others actions then you can plan out how you would rather it go. And Gretel plans things to the minutest detail, no butterfly wings of chaos here, all is laid out and intricately devised. Really makes me wonder how far back her plans go with regards to the events of Bitter Seeds.
I really will have to read on in this series now.
Dr. Gottlieb works on the farm, he is pretty much the farm’s shrink. Everyone needs a bit of help coping with what is going on there, but Gretel is really starting to come into her own her and Gottlieb is getting worried.
I was a bit concerned when I started this that I would remember enough from Bitter Seeds but as it all came back as I read the first paragraph. I don’t think you need to have read any of the Milkweed books to appreciate this, but it is probably better to read it after the first.
Tregillis has really created a monster in Gretel. At first you don’t really think that her talent, prescience is hugely dangerous, but think about it. If you know the consequences of all your actions and others actions then you can plan out how you would rather it go. And Gretel plans things to the minutest detail, no butterfly wings of chaos here, all is laid out and intricately devised. Really makes me wonder how far back her plans go with regards to the events of Bitter Seeds.
I really will have to read on in this series now.
October 5, 2017
You can read for free at tor.com
Reading this story was a glorious creepy little tidbit of dark chocolate goodness. The reader was given just a hint of the complex story arc that apparently runs throughout this series, "Milkweed Triptych".
Reading this story was a glorious creepy little tidbit of dark chocolate goodness. The reader was given just a hint of the complex story arc that apparently runs throughout this series, "Milkweed Triptych".
January 8, 2013
Ian Tregillis is one of my favorite new authors. "Bitter Seeds" and "The Coldest War" are a brilliant blend of science fiction, alternate history, and horror, and I cannot wait for the third book in the series (especially after the stunning cliffhanger at the end of "The Coldest War") in the series. Tregillis writes with a cruel fluency, so that you feel every horror like a punch in the gut. Imagine Highsmith's brutally casual depiction of sociopathy combined with Lovecraft's ability to show the vast horrors of an indifferent and incomprehensible universe.
This is a chilling little story. It's intricately plotted and works a slow reveal like a smoldering flame. Tregillis advances his portrayal of a character who's become one of the most terrifying villains I've ever read. Chronologically it fits in somewhere toward the beginning of "Bitter Seeds", but it's best read after.
Short version: if you've already read "Bitter Seeds", read this. If you haven't, pick up "Bitter Seeds" and "The Coldest War" and then read this.
This is a chilling little story. It's intricately plotted and works a slow reveal like a smoldering flame. Tregillis advances his portrayal of a character who's become one of the most terrifying villains I've ever read. Chronologically it fits in somewhere toward the beginning of "Bitter Seeds", but it's best read after.
Short version: if you've already read "Bitter Seeds", read this. If you haven't, pick up "Bitter Seeds" and "The Coldest War" and then read this.
May 28, 2017
So the author CAN do satisfying conclusions! Nifty little kinda whodunnit prequel to BITTER SEEDS.
April 20, 2018
A short story, occurring in same time frame as Bitter Seeds, first book in a fabulous series about Nazis developing a corps of people with super powers, while Britain exploited sorcery. It stars Gretel, a fascinating sociopath gifted with prescience.
April 10, 2011
Interesting read. Finished reading Bitter Seeds Friday night and read this short story early Sunday morning. Both are pretty good, and share common characters. The time-lines of the two overlap, with “What Doctor Gottlieb Saw” happening before most of Bitter Seeds, but I think I’m glad I read Bitter Seeds first. I think reading “What Doctor Gottlieb Saw” first would have spoiled some of my enjoyment of learning slowly about some of the characters, Gretel in particular.
March 22, 2011
This can now be read without logging in to Tor's site: http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/06/wh...
August 12, 2019
Chilling
This book is an ominous introduction to The Milkweed Trilogy. The trilogy deals with the Third Reich’s experiments with extra sensory powers in their coming war with all of Europe. This story deals with a sadistic, malevolent and sociopathic young girl who can foresee the outcome of events and therefore twist them to her liking. Chilling!
This book is an ominous introduction to The Milkweed Trilogy. The trilogy deals with the Third Reich’s experiments with extra sensory powers in their coming war with all of Europe. This story deals with a sadistic, malevolent and sociopathic young girl who can foresee the outcome of events and therefore twist them to her liking. Chilling!
January 4, 2020
A good background taster about Gretel and to a lesser extent her brother Klaus, this story really highlights the disconnect that Gretel has developed from the world, and how she has learnt to manipulate her surroundings to nudge the timeline in the direction she wants. Read Bitter Seeds first though, as this book is better as supplemental knowledge rather than a scene setter.
July 10, 2021
After reading the Bitter Seed books it fits.
This story illustrated features of the experiment subjects especially as reality/fate could be manipulated by Gretel. Men could see it happen afterwards but were unable to change anything. I enjoyed the novels and had the creeps for awhile. Now years after reading Bitter Seeds the creeps are back.
This story illustrated features of the experiment subjects especially as reality/fate could be manipulated by Gretel. Men could see it happen afterwards but were unable to change anything. I enjoyed the novels and had the creeps for awhile. Now years after reading Bitter Seeds the creeps are back.
July 20, 2021
A short prequel to 'Bitter Seeds', which is still one of my absolute favorite pieces of historical genre fiction. Successfully recaptured the creeping horror of Nazi ubermenschen who have become more powerful than god.
December 23, 2019
Creepy and has great sense of place as well as character development for such a short story!
August 21, 2020
I didn't realize this was a short story based in a previously created universe by this author. It piqued my interest, and I'm considering reading the other books in this series.
April 12, 2022
Excellent complex story in an alternative WWII. Am going to look for first book in this series by an unfamiliar author on the basis of how much I enjoyed this story.
June 6, 2012
Awesome little short story that goes along with Bitter Seeds.
I love the opening:
"Do you suppose it's possible to murder God?"
Gretel was Gottlieb's most troubling patient. She was also, he feared, quite mad.
Such a great opening and the story goes along with Bitter Seeds, but I think it should be read after you read Bitter Seeds. You can read it first, but I think it would mean much more if you read it afterward. The story does shed some light on events in Bitter Seeds, like how Klaus lost part of two of his fingers, and what went on with Gretel before the start of Bitter Seeds.
Fascinating story.
Paul Genesse
Author of the Iron Dragon Series and Editor of The Crimson Pact Series
I love the opening:
"Do you suppose it's possible to murder God?"
Gretel was Gottlieb's most troubling patient. She was also, he feared, quite mad.
Such a great opening and the story goes along with Bitter Seeds, but I think it should be read after you read Bitter Seeds. You can read it first, but I think it would mean much more if you read it afterward. The story does shed some light on events in Bitter Seeds, like how Klaus lost part of two of his fingers, and what went on with Gretel before the start of Bitter Seeds.
Fascinating story.
Paul Genesse
Author of the Iron Dragon Series and Editor of The Crimson Pact Series
July 4, 2014
Terminando Something More than Night decidí aventarme esta narración más corta, ubicada en el universo de la trilogía anterior de Tregillis. Es un cuento que ocurre antes de que inicien los mismos libros, en donde empezamos a ver la capacidad de reciocinio y planeación de una Gretel que todavía no muestra el cobre.
La historia empieza con Gretel preguntándole a Gottlieb si se podía matar a dios. La pregunta busca implicaciones sobre lo posible o lo imposible, aunque la respuesta dada por Gottlieb es de lo más racional, alejándose de especulaciones filosóficas. Sin embargo, Gretel tenía una respuesta más fuerte, sacada de la mente de alguien que es capaz de ver no solo las posibilidades de esta realidad, sino de otras por ocurrir.
La historia empieza con Gretel preguntándole a Gottlieb si se podía matar a dios. La pregunta busca implicaciones sobre lo posible o lo imposible, aunque la respuesta dada por Gottlieb es de lo más racional, alejándose de especulaciones filosóficas. Sin embargo, Gretel tenía una respuesta más fuerte, sacada de la mente de alguien que es capaz de ver no solo las posibilidades de esta realidad, sino de otras por ocurrir.
July 31, 2010
What Doctor Gottlieb Saw is offered for free on Tor.com. A few comments on this short story in the Milkweed Triptych setting can be found my blog.
October 6, 2011
Excellent adjunct to "Bitter Seeds." A quick read, well crafted. The story line and characters are very unique and memorable. I can't wait to read the next book in this series (due to be released next year).
February 14, 2015
Another Tor.com short story
First thought: yay Nazis /sarcasm.
Second thought: wow, I liked this a lot more then I thought I would. The details seem accurate and the psychological aspects seem valid. And the idea of Gretal is just too damn creepy!
First thought: yay Nazis /sarcasm.
Second thought: wow, I liked this a lot more then I thought I would. The details seem accurate and the psychological aspects seem valid. And the idea of Gretal is just too damn creepy!
April 23, 2015
Muy buen relato corto sobre una joven Gretel (del Tríptico Asclepia) y su precognición en la granja del doctor von Westarp. Puede leerse sin problemas de spoilers después de Semillas amargas.
February 14, 2015
Je tam několik hodně silných klišé, ale téma je chycené bezrozporně a elegantně. A to myslím nebylo vůbec jednoduché. Skvělé rámování, různorodé a uvěřitelné postavy. Neměla jsem ráda ani jednu z nich. :-)
November 29, 2019
A quick short story that is best for people that have read Bitterseeds.
December 17, 2012
Short, sweet, and adding another layer to the whole background of Gretel and Klaus.
February 20, 2013
you will want to have read bitter seeds first. then this is amazing.
March 13, 2013
Chilling side story set in the Milkweed Triptych universe about Gretel, the most disturbing of the Nazi super people.
April 24, 2013
Good complement to Bitter Seeds!
July 22, 2013
A little look into how Gretel operates.
July 1, 2017
Fantastic bit of extra insight into the events of the Milkweed Tryptich as a whole, and Gretel's character in particular.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews