# Douglas O'Brien — Short Fiction character guide

> Douglas O'Brien in Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Poor Doug, Doug, O'Brien, Once O'Brien, But O'Brien, Silently O'Brien

**First appearance:** 0000-the-secret-of-kralitz

## Snapshot

Arnsen's studious, dream-shadowed roommate at Midwestern, the quiet idealist dragged along like the tail of a kite by his reckless friend.

## Who they are

Where Arnsen was rakehell and laughing, Doug was thoughtful and studious, a Celtic idealist with a dream always lurking in his dark eyes. The two shared a rare mental communion of laughter and dream, yet Doug's fate is the wound Arnsen cannot name aloud when they meet again years later. His absence haunts the story's opening, turning a reunion into an interrogation of loyalty and loss.

## In the story

### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/prologue)

Arnsen's missing friend, referred to as 'Poor Doug'; his fate is unknown.

### [I: The Star-Gem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/i-the-star-gem)

O'Brien discovers the star-gem inside the meteorite and becomes entranced by it, claiming it shows him a vision of a beautiful woman.

### [II: Lure of the Crystal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/ii-lure-of-the-crystal)

O'Brien is driven by the gem's guidance, quitting his job and building a spaceship to find Deirdre.

### [III: The Singing Crystals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iii-the-singing-crystals)

Obsessed with the crystal and the being Deirdre, he ventures out alone and nearly dies from oxygen deprivation.

### [IV: Circe the Immortal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iv-circe-the-immortal)

Found alive in the cavern, haggard but aflame with vitality; welcomes Arnsen and uses the crystals to put him to sleep.

### [V: The Jewel-Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/v-the-jewel-folk)

Now at peace, explains the crystalline life and Circe's nature; is sacrificed into the flame-pillar and transformed into a sentient crystal.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/epilogue)

Mentioned as still being on the asteroid with the others, left behind.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/douglas_obrien
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters