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Praise for the
Milkweed Triptych
"A major talent... I can't wait to see more."
—George R. R. Martin
"Mad English warlocks battling twisted Nazi psychics? Yes please, thank you. Tregillis's debut has a white-knuckle plot, beautiful descriptions, and complex characters-- an unstoppable Vickers of a novel."
—Cory Doctorow on Bitter Seeds
"Ian Tregillis triumphantly concludes his astonishing, brilliant, pulse-pounding debut trilogy, The Milkweed Triptych."
—Cory Doctorow on Necessary Evil
"Tregillis' conclusion of the Milkweed Triptych is the pièce de résistance of the series. Necessary Evil is a perfect marriage of science fiction, fantasy and alternate history."
—RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars, Top Pick) on Necessary Evil
"Darkly fascinating…A thoroughly fascinating conclusion to an imaginative tour de force."
—Kirkus on Necessary Evil
"A cross between the devious, character-driven spy fiction of early John le Carré and the mad science fantasy of the X-Men... Despite the jaw-dropping backdrop and oblique plotting, the narrative is driven by character and personal circumstance...
Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling."
Grim indeed, yet eloquent and utterly compelling."
—Kirkus on The Coldest War
"The characters come alive via [Tregillis's] imaginative dialogue and his storyline will keep readers spellbound and on the edge of their seats with an intense sci-fi/alternate history thriller plot."
—RT Book Reviews (4.5 stars, Top Pick) on The Coldest War
"Well-drawn characters and a feel for time and place make this an excellent journey into an alternate Britain."
—Library Journal on Bitter Seeds
"Engrossing... Tregillis ably mixes cold war paranoia with his mythology."
—Publishers Weekly on The Coldest War
Close
Thanks Again, Alice Ann
Recent Blog Entries:
The End: NECESSARY EVIL Is Out! - 5/1/2013, 10:29 AM Because I Haven't Posted About tDCS In A While - 4/8/2013, 04:07 PM Announcing the NECESSARY EVIL Signing Tour - 4/5/2013, 05:15 PM Nuclear Deterrence in a Blood Magic World - 2/22/2013, 09:41 AM Guest Post #2 at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/17/2013, 04:41 PM Guest Post at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/15/2013, 09:17 PM A Conversation with Charlie Stross - 2/8/2013, 11:06 AM NOW OUT in the UK: THE COLDEST WAR - 2/7/2013, 12:22 AM Clarion Is Accepting Applications for the Class of 2013 - 1/27/2013, 06:38 PM Holy Smokes! Cover Art for Something More Than Night - 1/23/2013, 09:44 PM
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The End: NECESSARY EVIL Is Out! - 5/1/2013, 10:29 AM Because I Haven't Posted About tDCS In A While - 4/8/2013, 04:07 PM Announcing the NECESSARY EVIL Signing Tour - 4/5/2013, 05:15 PM Nuclear Deterrence in a Blood Magic World - 2/22/2013, 09:41 AM Guest Post #2 at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/17/2013, 04:41 PM Guest Post at Charlie Stross's Blog - 2/15/2013, 09:17 PM A Conversation with Charlie Stross - 2/8/2013, 11:06 AM NOW OUT in the UK: THE COLDEST WAR - 2/7/2013, 12:22 AM Clarion Is Accepting Applications for the Class of 2013 - 1/27/2013, 06:38 PM Holy Smokes! Cover Art for Something More Than Night - 1/23/2013, 09:44 PM
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Friday, August 10 2012, 07:11 PM
No thanks to me whatsoever, the peach tree in my back yard is producing a bumper crop this year. I didn't get any peaches last summer, perhaps because of the ferociously cold winter that shattered water pipes all over town, but the year before that I ate sheer deliciousness right off the tree.
For that I thank Alice Ann, who lived here prior to me. And who planted the peach tree years ago.
I really, really ought to have culled some of the fruit this year. I think the ripening peaches might have been a little larger right now if I'd had the forethought (and courage) to murder my darlings. (I do it when writing. Why can't I do it in the garden?) I'm guessing. I've no idea how fruit trees work. Is there a Law of Conservation of Juiciness? Beats me.
So, the peaches might be a little small this year, but dang they are plentiful. And just standing next to the tree makes everything smell like peaches. Gosh.
The back yard looks like this right now:
and this:
Comments (5)
untitled -
Steve Halter, Saturday, August 11 2012, 08:24 AM
Those look delicious! Alas, no fresh from the tree peaches up here yet--if the climate zones keep inching up, though, who knows?
Those look delicious! Alas, no fresh from the tree peaches up here yet--if the climate zones keep inching up, though, who knows?
Re: untitled -
Ian, Saturday, August 11 2012, 11:55 PM
My mother's second husband grew a peach tree in their yard in Minnesota. It actually did so well that the tree split apart because it was bursting with not-quite-fully-ripe peaches. That was, oh, about 11 years ago, I guess. But could've been a fluke. MN isn't known as a center of peach production... yet...
My mother's second husband grew a peach tree in their yard in Minnesota. It actually did so well that the tree split apart because it was bursting with not-quite-fully-ripe peaches. That was, oh, about 11 years ago, I guess. But could've been a fluke. MN isn't known as a center of peach production... yet...
They All Went Nuts -
Melinda, Sunday, August 12 2012, 10:16 AM
My very new (only 3 years old) peach tree went nuts too. And like you I couldn't bear to strip off the fruit to give the reamaning peaches room to grow. Mine are tiny, but delicious, but the birds are getting most of them. I just wasn't prepared to cull, and get help to net the tree a month ago. On the other hand the drought is bad, and the poor birds probably need some juicy, yummy food so I'm trying to be sanguine about it.
My very new (only 3 years old) peach tree went nuts too. And like you I couldn't bear to strip off the fruit to give the reamaning peaches room to grow. Mine are tiny, but delicious, but the birds are getting most of them. I just wasn't prepared to cull, and get help to net the tree a month ago. On the other hand the drought is bad, and the poor birds probably need some juicy, yummy food so I'm trying to be sanguine about it.
untitled -
Steve Halter, Monday, August 13 2012, 03:52 PM
Now I see that there are a couple of varieties of peaches that can do well in MN. So, my hopes are raised.
I also see that squirrels like peaches. That could be a problem.
Now I see that there are a couple of varieties of peaches that can do well in MN. So, my hopes are raised.
I also see that squirrels like peaches. That could be a problem.
Tree -
Steve Halter, Wednesday, August 15 2012, 09:41 AM
Ian's Peach Tree (A Cautionary Ditty, prior to harvest)
Pretty peaches,
Up in the tree
Looking so tasty
Or are they looking at me?
Gotterelektron,
There on the trunk.
Seemed like a plan
What could go wrong?
Now my tree
Is walking around
Down my street,
Free from the ground.
Maybe my picking
Should be delayed.
At least 'til my neighbors
Stop being flayed.
Once you've dealt with that small problem, here are some instructions for using excess fruit: (Be careful.)
Freezing peaches:
Step 1: Pick the peaches -- nice and ripe, not mushy, but not rock hard. About 5 good sized peaches will make a quart of frozen peaches.
Step 2: Wash the peaches. Just spray them to remove dirt/bugs.
Step 3: Get fruit juice (peach, apple or white grape). This is used to prevent freezer burn and oxidation. Also, juice a couple of lemons or obtain Fruit Fresh from the store.
Step 4: Boil a pot of water. You'll want a large pot about half full of water.
Step 4a): Fill a large bowl about half full of water and ice. There should be enough water for 4 or 5 peaches to float.
Step 5: Add 4 or 5 peaches at a time to the boiling water. Leave them in the water about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in the ice water. Leave them there for a couple of minutes.
Step 6: Remove the peaches from the water. You should be able to slide the skin off easily. If it is reluctant to come off, then you may want to increase the amount of time in the boiling water by 10 seconds or so.
Step 7: Cut up the peaches. Be careful as they will be slippery. Remove and discard the pits.
Step 8: Place the cut fruit in a bowl. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of lemon juice over the peaches or Fruit Fresh as directed. This will prevent browning.
Step 9: Add 1 cup of the juice to the bowl for each quart of peaches.
Step 10: Add fruit mixture to a Freezer type Ziplock bag. Remove as much air as possible. Freeze.
Step 11: Enjoy months later.
Ian's Peach Tree (A Cautionary Ditty, prior to harvest)
Pretty peaches,
Up in the tree
Looking so tasty
Or are they looking at me?
Gotterelektron,
There on the trunk.
Seemed like a plan
What could go wrong?
Now my tree
Is walking around
Down my street,
Free from the ground.
Maybe my picking
Should be delayed.
At least 'til my neighbors
Stop being flayed.
Once you've dealt with that small problem, here are some instructions for using excess fruit: (Be careful.)
Freezing peaches:
Step 1: Pick the peaches -- nice and ripe, not mushy, but not rock hard. About 5 good sized peaches will make a quart of frozen peaches.
Step 2: Wash the peaches. Just spray them to remove dirt/bugs.
Step 3: Get fruit juice (peach, apple or white grape). This is used to prevent freezer burn and oxidation. Also, juice a couple of lemons or obtain Fruit Fresh from the store.
Step 4: Boil a pot of water. You'll want a large pot about half full of water.
Step 4a): Fill a large bowl about half full of water and ice. There should be enough water for 4 or 5 peaches to float.
Step 5: Add 4 or 5 peaches at a time to the boiling water. Leave them in the water about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in the ice water. Leave them there for a couple of minutes.
Step 6: Remove the peaches from the water. You should be able to slide the skin off easily. If it is reluctant to come off, then you may want to increase the amount of time in the boiling water by 10 seconds or so.
Step 7: Cut up the peaches. Be careful as they will be slippery. Remove and discard the pits.
Step 8: Place the cut fruit in a bowl. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of lemon juice over the peaches or Fruit Fresh as directed. This will prevent browning.
Step 9: Add 1 cup of the juice to the bowl for each quart of peaches.
Step 10: Add fruit mixture to a Freezer type Ziplock bag. Remove as much air as possible. Freeze.
Step 11: Enjoy months later.
Add Your Comment:
Unwalkers interview [English | French ]
Interview with Speculate! Podcast Interview with Adventures in SciFi Publishing
Ian Tregillis on the Sword and Laser Podcast
Ian Tregillis on John Scalzi's The Big Idea
Interview with Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview with SFRevu
Interview with Mad Hatter Book Review
Interview with Apex Books
Interview at Literary Musings Interview with Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
An interview with the authors of Busted Flush at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview with Travis Heermann at The Write Line
9-way interview with the contributors to the Wild Cards novel Inside Straight at Pat's Fantasy Hotlist
Interview in the February, 2008 newsletter of the Online Writing Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror
An extended interview with Ian Tregillis by Ty Franck, on www.wildcardsbooks.com.