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Aegolius Creek
"A kaleidoscope vision of a disappearing world”— Trish MacEnulty, author of The Whispering Women
Don Karlsson has lived on his family’s Oregon homestead for most of his life. The timber on his land is his greatest asset—planted and replenished by his hand, maintained with his labor and sweat, and harvested for income at his discretion.
After a new species of voles is discovered living in those trees, authorities step in to protect the creatures, and Karlsson fights back. No one can tell him what to do with his property. He enlists the help of his Billy, a local who understands his father’s connection to the land; Stacy, a fierce attorney from Boston determined to represent her father’s interests—even if they go against her own; and the beloved and sensitive youngest, Zeke, who organizes local environmentalists to make sure his father does not win.
The impending confrontation engulfs the community and competing interests—local businesses and political groups, infiltrators seeking profit—with the Karlsson family at the center, still trying to reconcile the loss of Don’s wife and their mother, Marlene. Tempers flare, desperate acts are taken, and the courtroom battle spills over into protests and riots, leading to a riveting and stunning conclusion.
AEGOLIUS CREEK leaves readers contemplating our ties to place and family, how we strive for worth and meaning, and ultimately, what—if anything—we can claim as our own.
"A truly Oregon story with its familial land ties, timber disputes, hard living, and riots. And throughout it all – undying love. Bookended with the extremes of wildfire seasons, the reader is set for a compelling read that will ultimately break their heart."—Sally K Lehman, author of In The Fat and The Last Last Fight
"Aegolius Creek is a gripping tale of family, legacy, and land rights in which a father fights for control over his Oregon homestead. As environmentalists, politicians, and profiteers clash over a fragile ecosystem, one family’s struggle for identity, justice, and belonging takes center stage in this powerful novel about the limits of ownership and the cost of conviction."—Maryka Biaggio, Award-winning author of Parlor Games and The Model Spy
"This book is a journey through history and landscape via one man’s iron-clad bond with the land where he planted Douglas firs, raised his children, and buried his wife. Thorp brings a compassionate, discerning eye to each character’s perspective and thereby creates a kaleidoscope vision of a disappearing world. A profound and richly textured story you will not soon forget.”— Trish MacEnulty, author of The Whispering Women
Don Karlsson has lived on his family’s Oregon homestead for most of his life. The timber on his land is his greatest asset—planted and replenished by his hand, maintained with his labor and sweat, and harvested for income at his discretion.
After a new species of voles is discovered living in those trees, authorities step in to protect the creatures, and Karlsson fights back. No one can tell him what to do with his property. He enlists the help of his Billy, a local who understands his father’s connection to the land; Stacy, a fierce attorney from Boston determined to represent her father’s interests—even if they go against her own; and the beloved and sensitive youngest, Zeke, who organizes local environmentalists to make sure his father does not win.
The impending confrontation engulfs the community and competing interests—local businesses and political groups, infiltrators seeking profit—with the Karlsson family at the center, still trying to reconcile the loss of Don’s wife and their mother, Marlene. Tempers flare, desperate acts are taken, and the courtroom battle spills over into protests and riots, leading to a riveting and stunning conclusion.
AEGOLIUS CREEK leaves readers contemplating our ties to place and family, how we strive for worth and meaning, and ultimately, what—if anything—we can claim as our own.
"A truly Oregon story with its familial land ties, timber disputes, hard living, and riots. And throughout it all – undying love. Bookended with the extremes of wildfire seasons, the reader is set for a compelling read that will ultimately break their heart."—Sally K Lehman, author of In The Fat and The Last Last Fight
"Aegolius Creek is a gripping tale of family, legacy, and land rights in which a father fights for control over his Oregon homestead. As environmentalists, politicians, and profiteers clash over a fragile ecosystem, one family’s struggle for identity, justice, and belonging takes center stage in this powerful novel about the limits of ownership and the cost of conviction."—Maryka Biaggio, Award-winning author of Parlor Games and The Model Spy
"This book is a journey through history and landscape via one man’s iron-clad bond with the land where he planted Douglas firs, raised his children, and buried his wife. Thorp brings a compassionate, discerning eye to each character’s perspective and thereby creates a kaleidoscope vision of a disappearing world. A profound and richly textured story you will not soon forget.”— Trish MacEnulty, author of The Whispering Women
198 pages, Paperback
Published September 16, 2025
4 people are currently reading
2715 people want to read
About the author
Micah Thorp
7 books16 followersMicah Thorp is a physician, writer, and lifelong Oregonian. His research has been published in numerous medical journals, and his short fiction has appeared in various literary journals. His first novel, Uncle Joe’s Muse, won a 2022 Next Generation Indie Book Award and a Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award. His sequel, Uncle Joe’s Senpai, was a finalist for the Foreword Indies Book of the Year Award. Aegolius Creek, Micah’s forthcoming novel, is the recipient of a 2025 IPPY Independent Publisher Book Award: West-Pacific Best Regional Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 1, 2025
I very much enjoyed reading the latest publication from Type Eighteen, AEGOLIUS CREEK by Micah Thorp. It is an engrossing novel of family and place, with that place being a very specific one based on the community in the Pacific Northwest where Thorp himself grew up. It is not only a story of a geographical region, but of the people who live in and interact with it.
The focus is on one particular family, shaped by personal tragedy, whose ties to the land remain strong over two generations. Donald Karlsson has planted the trees that surround his remote cabin, cutting them down as needed to pay his bills. When an endangered species is identified living among those trees, the question of ownership and the rights of humans versus animals and ecosystem, come to the fore. There are no clear, easy answers and therefore no heroes or villains.
It is a story that calls for empathy and compassion, a call that demands we step out of our easy assumptions and grapple with what it means to be fully human and fully a part of our social communities and the nature which surrounds us.
The focus is on one particular family, shaped by personal tragedy, whose ties to the land remain strong over two generations. Donald Karlsson has planted the trees that surround his remote cabin, cutting them down as needed to pay his bills. When an endangered species is identified living among those trees, the question of ownership and the rights of humans versus animals and ecosystem, come to the fore. There are no clear, easy answers and therefore no heroes or villains.
It is a story that calls for empathy and compassion, a call that demands we step out of our easy assumptions and grapple with what it means to be fully human and fully a part of our social communities and the nature which surrounds us.
September 17, 2025
Aegolius Creek begins with a fire—an unsettling flash of destruction—before pulling readers back in time to reveal the events that led to it. At the heart of the story is the Karlsson family and the parcel of land they’ve owned for generations. Handed down from father to son, the property eventually comes into Don Karlsson’s care. After the tragic loss of his wife during childbirth, Don raises his three children alone in the isolation of the surrounding forest.
As the children grow and leave to pursue their own lives, Don remains rooted in the land, until a researcher’s discovery of a possible endangered species sets off a chain of events. With environmental protections threatening his right to log the trees on his property, Don’s children—each with differing views, particularly Stacy, a successful attorney in Boston—return to stand by their father. What begins as a legal fight soon escalates, drawing in protestors, town politics, and violent unrest. Through it all, the Karlssons must decide what loyalty, legacy, and survival mean when the land itself becomes contested ground.
The concepts in Aegolius Creek feel both original and remarkably real. The creativity behind the characters and the plot is memorable, and everything aligns seamlessly with the novel’s central theme. There are layers of emotional depth throughout, with believable settings that bring weight and resonance to every scene. The impact is palpable—you don’t just read this story, you feel it.
Thorpe’s writing quality is another strength. His storytelling is polished, with precise sentence structure that makes the book a pleasure to read. About midway through, the narration shifts, weaving in first-person perspective alongside third-person to add emotional intimacy. While the change is effective in drawing readers closer to certain moments, the use of italics as the main separator can feel a bit unorthodox. Some readers may embrace it, others may find it jarring. For me, it worked well enough to enhance the story, though clearer formatting could make the transition smoother.
The pacing flows steadily, with the history of the Karlsson land anchoring much of the first half and the courtroom and contemporary struggles propelling the latter. I didn’t encounter any plot holes, and the narrative balance felt intentional. The characters are well-developed, each distinct enough to allow readers to connect in different ways—whether through admiration, disagreement, or empathy.
Perhaps most importantly, the novel leaves behind a powerful real-world resonance. The ethical questions surrounding land, ownership, and environmental responsibility give the story lasting relevance. It reflects the complexity of practices we still grapple with today and offers no simple answers, only space for reflection.
Overall, Aegolius Creek is a striking and thought-provoking work of literary fiction. Its originality, emotional depth, and moral complexity make it an unforgettable read. For this, I am giving it five stars. I received an electronic copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for my honest opinion.
As the children grow and leave to pursue their own lives, Don remains rooted in the land, until a researcher’s discovery of a possible endangered species sets off a chain of events. With environmental protections threatening his right to log the trees on his property, Don’s children—each with differing views, particularly Stacy, a successful attorney in Boston—return to stand by their father. What begins as a legal fight soon escalates, drawing in protestors, town politics, and violent unrest. Through it all, the Karlssons must decide what loyalty, legacy, and survival mean when the land itself becomes contested ground.
The concepts in Aegolius Creek feel both original and remarkably real. The creativity behind the characters and the plot is memorable, and everything aligns seamlessly with the novel’s central theme. There are layers of emotional depth throughout, with believable settings that bring weight and resonance to every scene. The impact is palpable—you don’t just read this story, you feel it.
Thorpe’s writing quality is another strength. His storytelling is polished, with precise sentence structure that makes the book a pleasure to read. About midway through, the narration shifts, weaving in first-person perspective alongside third-person to add emotional intimacy. While the change is effective in drawing readers closer to certain moments, the use of italics as the main separator can feel a bit unorthodox. Some readers may embrace it, others may find it jarring. For me, it worked well enough to enhance the story, though clearer formatting could make the transition smoother.
The pacing flows steadily, with the history of the Karlsson land anchoring much of the first half and the courtroom and contemporary struggles propelling the latter. I didn’t encounter any plot holes, and the narrative balance felt intentional. The characters are well-developed, each distinct enough to allow readers to connect in different ways—whether through admiration, disagreement, or empathy.
Perhaps most importantly, the novel leaves behind a powerful real-world resonance. The ethical questions surrounding land, ownership, and environmental responsibility give the story lasting relevance. It reflects the complexity of practices we still grapple with today and offers no simple answers, only space for reflection.
Overall, Aegolius Creek is a striking and thought-provoking work of literary fiction. Its originality, emotional depth, and moral complexity make it an unforgettable read. For this, I am giving it five stars. I received an electronic copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 7, 2025
I want to start with my favorite thing about reading this book, and that is Micah Thorp’s writing style.
Reading it felt like being part of a rhythm and pulse. You have to pay attention to every page, and you will want to, because Micah offers such an alluring way of drawing you into the flow of the story through his style of writing.
Yes, the story itself is intriguing, with a variety of characters who each have defined roles and perspectives. They provide wonderful conflict and tension with one another. What is at stake, and what the story reflects back to us as individuals, our humanity, nature, community, and family, forms its own ecosystem within a larger one. The way it all ripples out and back, like an echo we often forget as we go along with our daily routines.
There is so much that feels relatable in this story: family dynamics, human experiences, and human nature overall. At the same time, it expanded my knowledge and empathy for both the industry and the natural world. As I read, it felt like I was building a new relationship with a part of Oregon and an industry I had not known much about. It did not feel forced either. It was like meeting a new character, even though the characters were not human. For me, that is rare, since I am usually drawn to stories centered on people. Yet I found myself genuinely excited to learn about everything, much like the butterflies I would get before a first or second date in my 20's.
The way the story blended learning about the industry and nature with the human characters’ central storyline was deeply satisfying.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their empathy and awareness, and to lose themselves in a story that reveals life’s complexity while inviting readers to face a mirror that reflects the intricate relationship between human nature and the natural world.
Reading it felt like being part of a rhythm and pulse. You have to pay attention to every page, and you will want to, because Micah offers such an alluring way of drawing you into the flow of the story through his style of writing.
Yes, the story itself is intriguing, with a variety of characters who each have defined roles and perspectives. They provide wonderful conflict and tension with one another. What is at stake, and what the story reflects back to us as individuals, our humanity, nature, community, and family, forms its own ecosystem within a larger one. The way it all ripples out and back, like an echo we often forget as we go along with our daily routines.
There is so much that feels relatable in this story: family dynamics, human experiences, and human nature overall. At the same time, it expanded my knowledge and empathy for both the industry and the natural world. As I read, it felt like I was building a new relationship with a part of Oregon and an industry I had not known much about. It did not feel forced either. It was like meeting a new character, even though the characters were not human. For me, that is rare, since I am usually drawn to stories centered on people. Yet I found myself genuinely excited to learn about everything, much like the butterflies I would get before a first or second date in my 20's.
The way the story blended learning about the industry and nature with the human characters’ central storyline was deeply satisfying.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their empathy and awareness, and to lose themselves in a story that reveals life’s complexity while inviting readers to face a mirror that reflects the intricate relationship between human nature and the natural world.
August 31, 2025
Author Micah Thorpe has treated us to the quintessential Oregon story: loggers vs. environmentalists, rugged individualists vs. corporate suits, a vanishing rural way of life vs. growing urbanization.
Don Karlsson has lived on his land for decades. He built the house himself, planted the Douglas firs that surround it, buried his wife along the banks of the creek. Each year, he harvests enough timber to pay his taxes, until a university professor discovers what may be a new and endangered species of vole in the forest canopy. When a judge grants an injunction to cease all logging in the area, Karlsson may lose everything.
His daughter, a lawyer working in Boston, comes to his defense with mixed feelings. She wants her aging father, who lives alone miles from town, to leave the land out of concern for his welfare. One of his sons, who believes as his father does, is willing to do anything to preserve the family homestead and his father’s right to log it, even if it comes to violence. Karlsson’s other son has a spiritual connection to the land and will do whatever it takes to prevent a single tree from being cut.
The writing is crisp, the pacing is excellent, the story is immersive, the characters are flawed and engaging. Along the way, we learn a lot about Oregon and its “identity crisis.” The fate of logging and timber production is handled sympathetically, documenting the closing of sawmills and the disappearance of the towns that depended upon them.
We are left mourning the passing of a way of life and haunted by what our Native American brothers and sisters knew from the beginning: no one owns the land. We are but stewards of a gift.
Don Karlsson has lived on his land for decades. He built the house himself, planted the Douglas firs that surround it, buried his wife along the banks of the creek. Each year, he harvests enough timber to pay his taxes, until a university professor discovers what may be a new and endangered species of vole in the forest canopy. When a judge grants an injunction to cease all logging in the area, Karlsson may lose everything.
His daughter, a lawyer working in Boston, comes to his defense with mixed feelings. She wants her aging father, who lives alone miles from town, to leave the land out of concern for his welfare. One of his sons, who believes as his father does, is willing to do anything to preserve the family homestead and his father’s right to log it, even if it comes to violence. Karlsson’s other son has a spiritual connection to the land and will do whatever it takes to prevent a single tree from being cut.
The writing is crisp, the pacing is excellent, the story is immersive, the characters are flawed and engaging. Along the way, we learn a lot about Oregon and its “identity crisis.” The fate of logging and timber production is handled sympathetically, documenting the closing of sawmills and the disappearance of the towns that depended upon them.
We are left mourning the passing of a way of life and haunted by what our Native American brothers and sisters knew from the beginning: no one owns the land. We are but stewards of a gift.
August 21, 2025
This is a hard book to review. It is not one to listen to, it needs to be read page by page. I loved the story, it tells of a man that loves the land and his family along with the sacrifices, trials and tribulations of a life in the wild. Don Karlsson’s goal in life was a vision he believed in, and he was good to his word, his love for what he had built and raised was evident.
The story changes once the government gets involved telling homeowners they no longer can log their own land, you could feel something was going to happen and the author brought my emotions to the surface knowing tragedy was imminent. Very well done!!
My reason for suggesting of reading instead of listening, is the way the story is written, there is normal font and then italics, listening with voiceview on my Kindle I could never figure out when the person reciting the story changed or who was speaking if I wasn’t looking at the print, so I would have to stop and back up in order to not miss something.
I have lived in a rural area most of my life owning acres of land and I could feel the injustice of being told what I could and could not do. Don and his family held a bit of my heart with them. Comes in with 5 stars. Highly recommend.
This is my own opinion of this ARC from NetGalley.
The story changes once the government gets involved telling homeowners they no longer can log their own land, you could feel something was going to happen and the author brought my emotions to the surface knowing tragedy was imminent. Very well done!!
My reason for suggesting of reading instead of listening, is the way the story is written, there is normal font and then italics, listening with voiceview on my Kindle I could never figure out when the person reciting the story changed or who was speaking if I wasn’t looking at the print, so I would have to stop and back up in order to not miss something.
I have lived in a rural area most of my life owning acres of land and I could feel the injustice of being told what I could and could not do. Don and his family held a bit of my heart with them. Comes in with 5 stars. Highly recommend.
This is my own opinion of this ARC from NetGalley.
January 14, 2026
Best book I've read in years. Years!
Some of the truest gems hide in plain sight and come from small presses.
I came to Aegolius Creek with some hesitation. Not my typical kind of read, I had little in common with the characters, and I didn't think I could relate to the timber wars I'd missed, as a late '90s transplant to Oregon.
But slowly, page by page, Thorp's beautiful and sensory-laden prose drew me in. Before I knew it, his main character, Don Karlsson, a man who couldn't be more different than me, became the lovable, if not cantankerous, soul and conscience of the story. A Job of the woods.
It's a wonderfully told tale of all that could be, and all that inevitably comes to pass.
Again, not my typical read, but wow–just wow.
Thank you, Micah Thorp, for sharing, sharing the land and its people in such a tender and heartfelt way.
Some of the truest gems hide in plain sight and come from small presses.
I came to Aegolius Creek with some hesitation. Not my typical kind of read, I had little in common with the characters, and I didn't think I could relate to the timber wars I'd missed, as a late '90s transplant to Oregon.
But slowly, page by page, Thorp's beautiful and sensory-laden prose drew me in. Before I knew it, his main character, Don Karlsson, a man who couldn't be more different than me, became the lovable, if not cantankerous, soul and conscience of the story. A Job of the woods.
It's a wonderfully told tale of all that could be, and all that inevitably comes to pass.
Again, not my typical read, but wow–just wow.
Thank you, Micah Thorp, for sharing, sharing the land and its people in such a tender and heartfelt way.
August 11, 2025
Rural Oregon, Douglas fir country. A possibly endangered species of tree vole is discovered on the property of Don Karllson. Until this matter is resolved by the government, Karllson is issued a temporary injunction by the federal government not to cut down any trees. His elder son, Billy, wants to inherit the land; his younger son, Zeke is an environmentalist. His daughter, Stacy, a lawyer, defends him in a courtroom trial for his rights, and the case is dismissed. Protests for and against environmentalists get out of hand and bring about family tragedy. This book gave you something to think about--I could see both sides. I thank LibraryThing for an ARC.
August 25, 2025
When our son moved to Oregon a year ago, I wanted to learn more about his new home. Fiction is a great way to get a feel for a place, and I found this book to be excellent. Even though I have only been to Oregon once, the feeling I got when reading matched what I saw and experienced. The issues addressed in the book are real issues, and the way the events unfolded are realistic. I enjoyed the characters and the descriptions of the settings. The book is masterfully written and sequenced very well. The ending was interesting, and I think it fit the whole tone of the novel. We are traveling to Oregon next week, and I am taking this book to my son to read. Good book!
November 24, 2025
Not the usual type of book I read but it kept me pulled in and I love that Don didn't give into anyone and kept his stance on what he believed in even though the ending wasn't the way I hoped it would go.
October 13, 2025
A very good story about a family owning land in a wooded area. There were struggles and family issues. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews