Smith’s novel roots family drama in Casco Bay

Rose Smith, a writer based outside Boston, spent the last seven years crafting her debut novel, The Shared Life of Egan and Lucian. The story is set on a fictional island in Casco Bay, a location that serves as the backdrop for a family’s complex history.

Smith’s inspiration began during a pre-pandemic visit to a real island in the bay. She attended a friend’s birthday party on a small island that has no stores or businesses. Despite its lack of amenities, the island is only a 45-minute ferry ride from Portland.

The author noted that the proximity to a major city combined with the isolation of the island created a unique environment for character development. She stated that this setting acted as a crucible for character. By placing the story in a time before cellphones were dominant, she aimed to emphasize the insular nature of the community.

The narrative weaves in themes from Homer’s Odyssey, a text Smith has read multiple times throughout her life. She connected with different characters at different stages, from Telemachus in her teenage years to Penelope after becoming a mother. The ancient Greek concept of nostos, or homecoming, is central to the plot as the character Lucian returns to the island.

Smith, who previously worked as a film producer, started writing the book during a break in her career. She later pursued an MFA in creative writing to refine her skills. She rewrote the manuscript in one year using the techniques she learned in school. Her background in producing documentaries also informed her approach to storytelling.

The novel explores the tension between artistic solitude and the demands of family life. Smith was raised in an artists’ commune, which sparked her lifelong interest in art. She uses the characters Sheila and Lea to examine how women navigate their roles as mothers and artists across different generations.

Smith has returned to the region to capture sensory details for the story. Her cousin, who lives in Maine, accompanied her to remote islands in winter. Smith said she wanted to have those details at her fingertips to write the specific kind of novel she envisioned.