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Lumberjack
Nebraska city, 1901.
There’s a curse on Arbor Lodge—an elusive demon reclaiming the illustrious home in the name of the prairie—and its owner,
J. Sterling Morton, proud statesman, is desperate. It couldn’t be more fortuitous for lumberjack Neville, whose greatest desire is to prove himself a true man to the world.
Morton offers respect, security, pride, even the father figure Neville never had; and all the lumberjack has to do is find and kill this creature.
There’s no doubt in Neville’s mind that he deserves to rise to the status of legend. He will prevail. It’s in his blood.
Or else, his blood will be in the prairie.
There’s a curse on Arbor Lodge—an elusive demon reclaiming the illustrious home in the name of the prairie—and its owner,
J. Sterling Morton, proud statesman, is desperate. It couldn’t be more fortuitous for lumberjack Neville, whose greatest desire is to prove himself a true man to the world.
Morton offers respect, security, pride, even the father figure Neville never had; and all the lumberjack has to do is find and kill this creature.
There’s no doubt in Neville’s mind that he deserves to rise to the status of legend. He will prevail. It’s in his blood.
Or else, his blood will be in the prairie.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2023
1 person is currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Engebretson
9 books15 followersAnthony is a speculative fiction writer from Nebraska. He has been published in several anthologies and edited one. His novellas include Sair Back, Sair Banes released in May 2022, Lumberjack released in December 2023, and Hell Pig in July 2024. His novels include The World in a Glass Dome released in November 2024.
He loves writing dark fiction with a speculative bent dealing with issues ranging from personal, mental health issues to systemic and structural horrors. He has a masters degree in Library Science and loves raccoons. He can be found on BlueSky and Instagram.
He loves writing dark fiction with a speculative bent dealing with issues ranging from personal, mental health issues to systemic and structural horrors. He has a masters degree in Library Science and loves raccoons. He can be found on BlueSky and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 31, 2025
The Gnome In the Woods...
LUMBERJACK
by Anthony Engebretson
No spoilers. 3 stars. Neville Gibbons and his axe he called Alexander were traveling through the forests of Nebraska City, NE...
The year was 1901...
His aspiration was to be a lumberjack. To make his father proud. The thoughts of cutting down these ancient trees aroused him sexually...
He traveled by coach aimlessly...
He was supposed to be on a train to Minnesota, but somewhere along the way, his plans had been thwarted...
All he could recall was...
Massive yellow eyes, an animalistic stench, and the echo of an evil malicious laugh. A creature Neville would come to know as the gnome...
Eventually...
He met a wealthy old man living in a mansion in the woods. The man's home was slowly being overtaken by the prairie...
The man hired Neville to rid his house of the prairie and the gnome...
This story was certainly weird with the strangest cast of characters. The MC, Neville, was a simple and cowardly moron, making it hard to follow his inane POV. In addition, he had an explosive temper, making him very unlikable, and he liked to chop down trees willy-nilly.
The whole story, imo, was a study in buffoonery, and that's not a story I can click with. The imagery was there but without much of a story.
LUMBERJACK
by Anthony Engebretson
No spoilers. 3 stars. Neville Gibbons and his axe he called Alexander were traveling through the forests of Nebraska City, NE...
The year was 1901...
His aspiration was to be a lumberjack. To make his father proud. The thoughts of cutting down these ancient trees aroused him sexually...
He traveled by coach aimlessly...
He was supposed to be on a train to Minnesota, but somewhere along the way, his plans had been thwarted...
All he could recall was...
Massive yellow eyes, an animalistic stench, and the echo of an evil malicious laugh. A creature Neville would come to know as the gnome...
Eventually...
He met a wealthy old man living in a mansion in the woods. The man's home was slowly being overtaken by the prairie...
The man hired Neville to rid his house of the prairie and the gnome...
This story was certainly weird with the strangest cast of characters. The MC, Neville, was a simple and cowardly moron, making it hard to follow his inane POV. In addition, he had an explosive temper, making him very unlikable, and he liked to chop down trees willy-nilly.
The whole story, imo, was a study in buffoonery, and that's not a story I can click with. The imagery was there but without much of a story.
December 2, 2023
Review originally on
JamReads
Lumberjack is a historical horror novella, set in the 1900s Nebraska, written by Anthony Engebretson and published by Tenebrous Press. A novella built around how a man need for validation and desire to be more end provoking the cracks that will be used by his sanity to escape.
After being freed from prison, Neville is hired by J. Sterling Morton to get rid of the demon that is cursing Arbor Lodge; a job that can bring Neville what he more desires, respect and validation, the chance to prove himself as something more than what all the people think about.
But if there's something that becomes soon clear, is that Neville's mind is in a complicated state; those desires are the fuel that will end burning himself inside. As a main character, the lumberjack Neville is totally unlikeable, as you can soon see his obsessive tendencies, and how he's not exactly in a good state of mind.
Engebretson magnificently plays with the line between reality and insanity, using in great ways the resource of unreliable narrators; as reader, you can't distinguish between if something is real or just a byproduct of Neville's mind. The plot advances in a slippery slope kind, leading us to a finale that we could have anticipated, but not for that is less impactful.
The setting is another of the selling points of this novella, as the historical accuracy helps you immerse more into the story; despite the reduced length, many details are introduced and help us to get a bigger picture of the place.
Lumberjack is an excellent novella to put a final point to the Tenebrous Press' 2023 publications; if you like historical inspired horror, this is a great pick for you.
Lumberjack is a historical horror novella, set in the 1900s Nebraska, written by Anthony Engebretson and published by Tenebrous Press. A novella built around how a man need for validation and desire to be more end provoking the cracks that will be used by his sanity to escape.
After being freed from prison, Neville is hired by J. Sterling Morton to get rid of the demon that is cursing Arbor Lodge; a job that can bring Neville what he more desires, respect and validation, the chance to prove himself as something more than what all the people think about.
But if there's something that becomes soon clear, is that Neville's mind is in a complicated state; those desires are the fuel that will end burning himself inside. As a main character, the lumberjack Neville is totally unlikeable, as you can soon see his obsessive tendencies, and how he's not exactly in a good state of mind.
Engebretson magnificently plays with the line between reality and insanity, using in great ways the resource of unreliable narrators; as reader, you can't distinguish between if something is real or just a byproduct of Neville's mind. The plot advances in a slippery slope kind, leading us to a finale that we could have anticipated, but not for that is less impactful.
The setting is another of the selling points of this novella, as the historical accuracy helps you immerse more into the story; despite the reduced length, many details are introduced and help us to get a bigger picture of the place.
Lumberjack is an excellent novella to put a final point to the Tenebrous Press' 2023 publications; if you like historical inspired horror, this is a great pick for you.
March 25, 2025
A tale of madness and paranoia, one you'll finish in one sitting. The less said, the better. Go in blind!
December 4, 2023
During this past year, I’ve received new releases from Tenebrous Press in exchange for an honest review. Each new ARC made me excited. Title after title came, yet not a single one disappointed me. A Tenebrous book promised a new experience in weird fiction I’ve never seen anywhere else. From Crom Cruach to Dehiscent to Agony’s Lodestone, every single one felt like a brand new masterpiece. It felt a little too good to be true.
Eventually, something I dislike has to hit me, right?
Read the rest of my review here.
Eventually, something I dislike has to hit me, right?
Read the rest of my review here.
December 6, 2023
“His father no longer haunted him, but now he was missing the ghost.”
Neville has had a bad day, a break with reality even. Or has he?
Working to catch some critters around an eccentric old man’s dilapidated house, is Neville’s sanity cracking? or are things really this weird?
Lumberjack is a great example of losing it. When you have nothing to lose, you can lose it all.
Neville has had a bad day, a break with reality even. Or has he?
Working to catch some critters around an eccentric old man’s dilapidated house, is Neville’s sanity cracking? or are things really this weird?
Lumberjack is a great example of losing it. When you have nothing to lose, you can lose it all.
April 4, 2024
Lumberjack is like a remix of reality, taking historical people and places and setting them in the midst of a fictional tale. It is cool to see that interplay on the page. It is also interesting to watch the main character as he continues to descend more and more into a world of his own paranoia and delusion. Engebretson does a good job of capturing the imagination, combining weird imagery and moments of gore to highlight Neville's story. In the end, I felt like the novella danced around some bigger themes, but ultimately missed the mark, almost as if they were half thought out ideas. It is a misstep that hurts the story overall, but there is still a lot of fun to be had. If you are not a fan of animal deaths, then there may be significant less fun for you while reading. Be sure to keep that in mind.
June 9, 2025
(3.5 rounded up)
Horrifying, evocative, brutal, fascinating.
Lumberjack, by Nebraskan author Anthony Engebretson, is a Man vs Self narrative disguised as Man vs Nature. Through destroying nature, we destroy ourselves. And wow, self-destruction is the name of the game! The writing in Lumberjack is gross and engrossing. Each swing of the axe on the page, reverberates into the reader's chest as they clutch the page in fear. Stuck in a deranged man's mind, unable to get off the doomed ride. Even the quiet, beautiful scenes of nature are rimmed with foreboding, violence, and rot. I'll have to read more from Engebretson ...cautiously because wow what a ride!
Growing up, I have spent countless weekends in Nebraska City, in and around Arbor Lodge. And as I've gotten older, though I still adore the area and the trees, I've become disenchanted with the premise that formed Arbor Day. Lumberjack explores the fact that J. Sterling Morton (and others), destroyed an entire ecosystem to fit his preconceptions of "civilization". And here, he gets his retribution as the land fights back. (A punishment, he did not receive in life, but one he is getting posthumously as the Arbor Day Foundation is openly casting him out. Get fucked, Morton!)
That storyline, however, falls to the wayside to follow our main character, Neville. (Who sucks ass!!!!! [on purpose]. What a creep!!!! I'm used to unhinged female main-characters, but a man just hits different. In an "ha ha. I'm in danger" way. So I was very out of my comfort zone here!) He's very nerve-racking, and I appreciated the lifeboat found in Thomas. ()
Neville's entire life is wrapped up in the approval of other men whom he deems "manly" enough to idolize. Latching onto anything that will give him an identity others would envy. His obsession with these men is violently para-social and will turn on a dime if they show themselves to be fallible and fragile human beings. This leads to a man who is so concerned with being perceived manly and adored, it has broken his brain to an extent that his fate was sealed long before the book began.
As a child, Neville was given an axe, and shaped his identity around it. To prove his manhood, Neville seeks to destroy using his only tool. This primarily falls to his compulsive urge to fell trees. (there is no proof he has ever done so) He writhes, and (sexually) fantasizes about tearing down the behemoths his mentor, Morton, is so fond of. It's a confusing discord between the two. Neville recognizes Morton as a strong, white (important), man, but yet he doesn't stand for Morton's kingdom. I would love to have explored more of the disconnect in Neville- he becomes so focused on killing the "gnome", that his perversion regarding trees, and the curse on the house, isn't quite explored enough to follow a satisfying arc.
I think some more expansion of this world is needed to reach its full protentional! Parts felt constrained and underdeveloped, possibly to the rules of a novella. ALSO the content warnings were at the end?? I was fine, but could have used a heads up!
Horrifying, evocative, brutal, fascinating.
Lumberjack, by Nebraskan author Anthony Engebretson, is a Man vs Self narrative disguised as Man vs Nature. Through destroying nature, we destroy ourselves. And wow, self-destruction is the name of the game! The writing in Lumberjack is gross and engrossing. Each swing of the axe on the page, reverberates into the reader's chest as they clutch the page in fear. Stuck in a deranged man's mind, unable to get off the doomed ride. Even the quiet, beautiful scenes of nature are rimmed with foreboding, violence, and rot. I'll have to read more from Engebretson ...cautiously because wow what a ride!
“he went outside to sit on the front porch and look out at the trees. They reached proudly toward the moonlight which illuminated their leaves. A dazzling arrogance.”
Growing up, I have spent countless weekends in Nebraska City, in and around Arbor Lodge. And as I've gotten older, though I still adore the area and the trees, I've become disenchanted with the premise that formed Arbor Day. Lumberjack explores the fact that J. Sterling Morton (and others), destroyed an entire ecosystem to fit his preconceptions of "civilization". And here, he gets his retribution as the land fights back. (A punishment, he did not receive in life, but one he is getting posthumously as the Arbor Day Foundation is openly casting him out. Get fucked, Morton!)
That storyline, however, falls to the wayside to follow our main character, Neville. (Who sucks ass!!!!! [on purpose]. What a creep!!!! I'm used to unhinged female main-characters, but a man just hits different. In an "ha ha. I'm in danger" way. So I was very out of my comfort zone here!) He's very nerve-racking, and I appreciated the lifeboat found in Thomas. ()
Neville's entire life is wrapped up in the approval of other men whom he deems "manly" enough to idolize. Latching onto anything that will give him an identity others would envy. His obsession with these men is violently para-social and will turn on a dime if they show themselves to be fallible and fragile human beings. This leads to a man who is so concerned with being perceived manly and adored, it has broken his brain to an extent that his fate was sealed long before the book began.
As a child, Neville was given an axe, and shaped his identity around it. To prove his manhood, Neville seeks to destroy using his only tool. This primarily falls to his compulsive urge to fell trees. (there is no proof he has ever done so) He writhes, and (sexually) fantasizes about tearing down the behemoths his mentor, Morton, is so fond of. It's a confusing discord between the two. Neville recognizes Morton as a strong, white (important), man, but yet he doesn't stand for Morton's kingdom. I would love to have explored more of the disconnect in Neville- he becomes so focused on killing the "gnome", that his perversion regarding trees, and the curse on the house, isn't quite explored enough to follow a satisfying arc.
I think some more expansion of this world is needed to reach its full protentional! Parts felt constrained and underdeveloped, possibly to the rules of a novella. ALSO the content warnings were at the end?? I was fine, but could have used a heads up!
November 24, 2024
Such a Weird and disturbing book, with an equally weird and disturbing protagonist in Neville Gibbons, the eponymous lumberjack. Engebretson captures the despicable nature of the character and, even though there are moments where I felt some sympathy for him, the way his life had turned out after being denounced by his family, I didn't have to wait long for him to say or do something horrific to remind me of his horrible nature. I loved the way Engebretson conveyed the language of the time and the feeling of Arbor Lodge and the surrounding grounds, really creating a sense of atmosphere. Excellent storytelling and a real gem of Weird fiction.
April 18, 2024
When historical fiction can make me forget that I’m reading historical fiction - that’s a huge plus for me. Lumberjack is a fun romp through the mind of Neville Gibbons, estranged son and presidential hopeful (lol.)
When Neville is bailed out of jail by a wealthy benefactor, he doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not be hired by the man to destroy the very thing he was already chasing. This novella was Weird and I absolutely adored it.
Check this out if you like horror, crumbling psyches, weird creatures, and questioning your own sanity!
When Neville is bailed out of jail by a wealthy benefactor, he doesn’t know what to expect. Certainly not be hired by the man to destroy the very thing he was already chasing. This novella was Weird and I absolutely adored it.
Check this out if you like horror, crumbling psyches, weird creatures, and questioning your own sanity!
December 28, 2023
An odd but compelling descent into one man’s obsessions and madness. I found Neville’s train of thought hard to follow or keep up with at points, which made some passages difficult to get through. But overall it’s an enjoyable read, perfect for anyone seeking good psychological horror.
Read
December 12, 2023This was wild but man did I enjoy it. What a bad trip. Also the fact that the Morton’s in the book were real villains I find so interesting and I wonder if that plays more of a role in the book than I’ve noticed. Engenders I gave two of my favorite reads of the year which is a great feet.
December 5, 2023
This is a good example of what can happen when people (especially colonizers) try to tame and control nature.
October 30, 2023
Special thanks to Tenebrous Press for the ARC copy they provided.
I truly enjoyed this book, as evidenced by the fact I read most of it in one sitting. One thing I will say for Tenebrous Press’s books, they devour you whole and won’t let go. You get sucked in, and before you know it, the book is gone, and you’re wishing for more. Lumberjack was no exception to this rule.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I started reading this enthralling little book. To like the main character was my one assumption. I instantly identified with parts of Neville: his need for validation, desire to be more than himself, and devotion to what he thought was an honorable cause greater than himself.
That liking and identifying with the character then turned into a sickening descent into madness that showed me where portions of myself could go horribly wrong, and get twisted into disgusting insanity.
Watching Neville sink into that insanity, knowing where he was coming from, and all the places he went wrong because I’ve had to avoid those pitfalls in my own life, with my own mental health, that is what made Lumberjack a truly horrifying read. It twisted my gut and gave me anxiety that lingered with me even after finishing the last page and discovering my favorite side character lived (thank you Anthony Engebretson, I owe you one…).
If the above isn’t a recommendation for this book, I don’t know how to give a better one, but here’s some more praise, all the same. Anthony’s writing is clear and to the point. It doesn’t give you the pretense of being flowery and emotional, but it’ll creep on you, dig its claws into you, and you’ll feel the emotion of the characters by the time the book’s done and you’ve closed the cover, or your reading app. Lumberjack is a stunning end to a fantastic publishing year for Tenebrous, and I can’t wait to see what horrors they have in store for next year.
I truly enjoyed this book, as evidenced by the fact I read most of it in one sitting. One thing I will say for Tenebrous Press’s books, they devour you whole and won’t let go. You get sucked in, and before you know it, the book is gone, and you’re wishing for more. Lumberjack was no exception to this rule.
I wasn’t sure what I was expecting when I started reading this enthralling little book. To like the main character was my one assumption. I instantly identified with parts of Neville: his need for validation, desire to be more than himself, and devotion to what he thought was an honorable cause greater than himself.
That liking and identifying with the character then turned into a sickening descent into madness that showed me where portions of myself could go horribly wrong, and get twisted into disgusting insanity.
Watching Neville sink into that insanity, knowing where he was coming from, and all the places he went wrong because I’ve had to avoid those pitfalls in my own life, with my own mental health, that is what made Lumberjack a truly horrifying read. It twisted my gut and gave me anxiety that lingered with me even after finishing the last page and discovering my favorite side character lived (thank you Anthony Engebretson, I owe you one…).
If the above isn’t a recommendation for this book, I don’t know how to give a better one, but here’s some more praise, all the same. Anthony’s writing is clear and to the point. It doesn’t give you the pretense of being flowery and emotional, but it’ll creep on you, dig its claws into you, and you’ll feel the emotion of the characters by the time the book’s done and you’ve closed the cover, or your reading app. Lumberjack is a stunning end to a fantastic publishing year for Tenebrous, and I can’t wait to see what horrors they have in store for next year.
Read
January 25, 2024Unfortunately, not a tale for me.
CW: Racism (fitting of the time period)
CW: Racism (fitting of the time period)
December 21, 2025
The novella length really works against the story here, given that the truly weird stuff doesn't happen until right at the end. At just 86 pages, it feels like there are threads that don't quite pay off - things that maybe should have been excised to get this down to short story length, or expanded into a novel that more fully reckons with its themes. It's a shame, because the writing is mostly good, but suffers from trying to walk the line between seeing the world through Neville's madness and what is "actually" happening. A stronger commitment to Neville's perspective would have really strengthened the storytelling.
August 13, 2024
I need more prairie dogs in all my horror from now on. Really fun, wild little historical horror. It’s hard for me to feel scared on behalf of an unlikeable protagonist but this had delightful creepy vibes. I enjoyed the major themes of environmentalism, colonialism and masculinity. The unreliable/increasingly unhinged perspective worked very well without ever breaking my immersion. I thought the story did well to avoid & kind of subvert the mystical native american trope. I wanted just a teensy bit more from the story but it was very much worth the read
December 25, 2024
Anthony Engebretson writes characters in such an incredibly compelling way and I deeply appreciated the historical accuracy the Indigenous queer representation. I thought the ending/payoff was less engaging than I hoped, or less gripping and terrifying, and I would have appreciated more of the creature/gnome's presence. But this was a beautiful addition to the New Weird Horror genre and I will absolutely be pursuing more of Engebretson's work and Tenebrous' publishing.
September 28, 2025
Fragile possibly psychotic white man needs validation. Thinks he can lie is way into and out of situations because he’s a man who should just be believed and respected. Goes to rich white mans house to kill the gnome haunting the house. Despite hating everyone in the book I did finish it, so that says something about the writing.
Also I don’t actually know if race is mentioned but it gives fragile white man energy.
Also I don’t actually know if race is mentioned but it gives fragile white man energy.
December 31, 2023
Excellent. Wonderfully written with an immersive style. Weird Eco Horror featuring a descent into madness and hits on Manifest Destiny, familial woes, and toxic masculinity. This is a brilliant piece of fiction that reads quick and is completely engrossing. Highly recommend.
March 4, 2024
This is an initial review, but period pieces are something of a savored delicacy for me in genre writing. While Id have loved more I will need to mull on my thoughts as to why that is. This is a name to watch, bold from the gate, the lines of reality and insanity blur.
February 11, 2024
What freaky little book.
May 2, 2024
A weird, eerie, enjoyable read!
July 16, 2024
Well worth the quick read. Reminded me of Edogawa Ranpo or Helpmeet, and creepy enough that I had to turn the lights on while reading.
November 11, 2025
I love a delusional protagonist.
May 6, 2024
3.5 stars. Well, it's written from a man's POV — and he's that kind of man, if you know what I mean — but he gets what he deserves, so that made it worthwhile. Loved the prairie-coming-to-life-and-exacting-revenge vibes, need more of that in real life.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
December 6, 2025
This was a fun quick horror, descent into madness, etc.
I think the setting was great, conflict and tensions were high, but I wanted more complexity in the plot, but alas- was a short read
I think the setting was great, conflict and tensions were high, but I wanted more complexity in the plot, but alas- was a short read
December 26, 2023
Old-timey. Unhinged. Hack-attack.
This was one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s set in 1901, Nebraska. Stay with me. Neville is the protagonist who craves love, validation, and belonging. Neville spirals out-of-control in this fast-paced novella. A hint of slasher. Part creature feature. Plenty of mysterious goings-on. All fun. The author nails the mood and vibes of the time and place and the characters leap off the page, grab you by the face, and demand your attention from start to finish. RESPECT THE AXE! Absolutely loved it.
I received an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was one of my favorite reads of the year. It’s set in 1901, Nebraska. Stay with me. Neville is the protagonist who craves love, validation, and belonging. Neville spirals out-of-control in this fast-paced novella. A hint of slasher. Part creature feature. Plenty of mysterious goings-on. All fun. The author nails the mood and vibes of the time and place and the characters leap off the page, grab you by the face, and demand your attention from start to finish. RESPECT THE AXE! Absolutely loved it.
I received an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews