In his latest novel, A Lesser Light, Minnesota author Peter Geye brings readers into the rugged, unpredictable world of the 1920s North Shore of Lake Superior, where the moody landscape is mirrored by the even more unpredictable lives of its characters.
Published by the University of Minnesota Press, Geye’s novel delves into the arranged marriage between Theodulf and Willa Sauer, two individuals who find themselves united under difficult and forced circumstances. Theodulf, a man struggling with his identity and duty as head keeper of a newly built lighthouse, is paired with Willa, a woman who, after the death of her father, is pushed into marriage for financial stability. What follows is a turbulent relationship set against the isolated and unforgiving backdrop of the North Shore.
Geye, an award-winning author known for his historical fiction rooted in Minnesota, explores themes of duty, identity, and survival. “Theodulf is a man shaped by duty. He’s emotionally stunted and isolated, and marriage, while expected, is far from fulfilling for him,” Geye said during an interview on the KAXE Morning Show. “Willa, much younger than him, is an independent and brilliant woman. Despite their ill-suited union, their interaction is what gives the novel its emotional depth.”
Willa, once a promising musician and scientist, finds herself navigating not only the rugged terrain of Lake Superior’s shoreline but the emotional challenges of an unwanted marriage. Forced into the union by her mother, Willa’s character embodies strength and adaptability. Though she may not be the most likable at times, her complexities make her a compelling figure in Geye’s narrative.
Despite the characters’ difficult lives, Geye’s writing reveals the depths of their inner conflicts. “Most of us face difficult lives, and when you’re forced into circumstances that conflict with your ambitions and nature, you become complicated and difficult,” Geye said. “That’s what makes the characters in A Lesser Light so real and relatable.”
Early reactions from readers have sparked debates over character sympathy, with some expressing more patience for Theodulf than Willa, though Geye himself finds Willa to be the more sympathetic character. “She proves herself to be more adaptable than Theodulf,” Geye explained.
The setting of A Lesser Light is deeply intertwined with history. Geye, whose previous works have focused on the North Shore, draws from real-life events to shape his fictional narrative. The 1905 storm and the construction of Split Rock Lighthouse serve as key inspirations for the novel’s backdrop, grounding the story in the region’s rich history.
The novel also introduces a host of supporting characters, including a fisherman and his orphaned niece who live across the cove from the Sauer family. These characters offer companionship and love to Willa, as well as concrete survival skills such as gardening and cooking. Additionally, the wives of other lighthouse keepers play an integral role in Willa’s development, helping her adapt to her new life.
For Geye, the women in A Lesser Light are particularly significant. “They stand in for the mother Willa never had,” he said. “They represent the quiet strength and resilience that women of that era often embodied.”
In the end, A Lesser Light is a story about survival, societal expectations, and the harsh realities of marriage. Geye’s nuanced portrayal of his characters leaves readers with a profound understanding of their struggles, ultimately showing how even the most difficult relationships can lead to personal growth.
As with all of Geye’s novels, A Lesser Light is deeply rooted in the history and landscape of Minnesota, offering a vivid and intimate portrayal of life on the North Shore during a time of great change.
