“I realize now…How easy my life has been.”
Regretfully, August said, “You have been rich. comfortable, and safe.”
“No, I was never safe.”
from Isola by Allegra Goodman

What a page turner! Incredibly, this story of a 16thc woman born to wealth but whose guardian takes everything from her, finally stranding her on an island in New France, is based on history. Allegra Goodman discovered two contemporary accounts of Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval’s story.

Goodman imagines Marguerite’s life, recreating a society where women held no power over their wealth and lands, or their freedom and body. Men risked everything in their search to profit from the New World. It was the time of the Protestant reformation with its puritanical sects.

Orphaned, her uncle Roberval now her guardian, Marguerite finds solace in a few friends. Her nurse who has served her family for a lifetime. A teacher and her daughter, women of class and education fallen on hard times, employed by the family who has purchased her family estate, the sale benefiting Roberval who plans an expedition to New France.

Robbed of her home, her dowry, her servants, Marguerite is relegated to a cold tower without enough wood to burn or food to eat. She endeavors to obey Roberval’s commands to study and practice the virginal and learn scripture. When she reaches fifteen, her dowey spent, her uncle removes her to town and tells her she will accompany him to the New World.

During the eight weeks aboard ship, Marguerite’s relationship with her uncle’s servant and scribe blossoms into love. Roberval has the couple abandoned on an island with all they could take: tools and food and wine and jewels and linens. Marguerite learns to survive, to battle the elements and the polar bears, to endure devastating losses.

I was transported by this story of adventure and endurance, self discovery, and how life refines faith.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

I enjoyed reading this historical fiction book, set about 1531-1545 in France and New France(Canada).
The blurb: "Heir to a chateau with its own village and lands, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and Jean Francois de la Rocque de Roberval—an enigmatic and volatile older man Marguerite has never met—becomes her guardian, controlling her future. He sells her property to pay his debts, leaving her destitute, and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends Roberval’s servant and the two begin meeting secretly aboard the ship, drawn together by an intense attraction. But when Roberval discovers Marguerite’s deception, his rage is all-consuming. As punishment, he maroons her and her lover on a small island, condemning them to certain death."
The island the Marguerite is marooned on is in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It has a few trees and some birds. Marguerite, her lover Auguste, and her nurse Damienne are put ashore on this island in the summer and initially survive by killing and eating birds. But when winter arrives, the birds are gone and they must ration the meat that they saved.
How Marguerite survives and gets back to France makes for a story of courage and determination. This book is based on an actual incident of a woman marooned by a vengeful man during this time period.
Thanks to Madison Dettlinger at Dial Press Marketing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#Isola #NetGalley

I went into this not knowing it was based on a real woman’s life. Now I want to do a deep dive into phantom islands- what a fascinating topic and story!

Isola follows the life of Marguerite de la Rocque, a French noblewoman who lived in the 16th century. She was orphaned as a child and her cousin, Jean-Francois de Roberval, was appointed her guardian. Roberval stripped Marguerite of her lands to pay off his gambling debts and later forced her to accompany him on his voyage to New France. It was on this voyage that she fell in love with a young man; in a fit of rage Roberval exiled the lovers and Marguerite’s nurse on a deserted island.

First and foremost, this is a story of survival. I would have been all set to read a fictional book about a noblewoman fighting to survive on a hostile island, but the fact that Marguerite was a real woman made it even more impressive. What a badass.

The story itself is very engaging and well-written. The beginning had a strong Jane Eyre vibe, which I appreciated, but there were times the pacing seemed to slow down a bit. I preferred the second part, which is when things got more exciting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

*Sidenote: The island where Marguerite was stranded in the story, known as the Isle of Demons, is a phantom island that disappeared from maps in the mid-17th century. It is believed that the actual island of the marooning was most likely Harrington Harbour in Quebec.

A fascinating story of a French noblewoman in the mid 1500s who is marooned on a tiny Canadian island with her lover and her nursemaid. Since this is based on a true story, the facts become all the more powerful. Watching Marguerite go from a life of ease to one of near hopelessness and seeing her reevaluate her past and her priorities is a remarkable achievement in writing. I really loved the descriptions of the little castaway island and the flora/fauna native there. It took a while for Marguerite’s personality to develop and for me to bond with her but she is finally a strong, memorable character.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC to read and review.

Isola by Allegra Goodman is a beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of relationships, art, and the blurred lines between love and obsession. The story is set on a remote island where the vivid descriptions of the landscape mirror the inner turmoil of the characters. Goodman’s prose is poetic and immersive, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.

Allegra Goodman's Isola is a captivating novel that explores the themes of human connection, self-discovery, and the power of the female spirit. Goodman's lyrical prose paints a vivid picture of the character, Marguerite, a young woman struggling to survive as an individual in a world where women are not independent. She quite literally needs to learn to make her own way.
Knowing it is based on a true story makes it even more interesting and intriguing. It is a timeless story of women trying to hold their own, survive and be recognized as individuals in society as a whole.
Goodman's writing style is poetic allowing the reader to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of the story. Her exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the search for meaning resonates deeply. Isola is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that will linger in the reader's mind long after the final page.

A teenaged Marguerite is left in the care of her new guardian, a controlling man who is also an explorer who uses Marguerite’s inheritance to fund his travels. When Roberval demands that Marguerite sail with him on his latest expedition, she is comforted by a new relationship with Roberval’s secretary, Auguste, until Roberval finds out and is incensed. Roberval abandons them on a remote island, leaving them to figure out their survival without shelter or food. This story of determination and survival will appeal to those who enjoy stories of faith and perseverance.

This book is admirably written and absorbing from the start. It follows the remarkable adventures of Marguerite de la Rocque from the 16th century.

Marguerite’s mother died in childbirth; her father was killed a three years later while fighting for the King of Pavia. And now she depended on her distant cousin, Roberval, as her guardian. He was in a position to raise her in good conscience. However, he made decisions for his own welfare and cashed in on her valuable estate.

Roberval should have been setting her up with an honorable man to marry. But he used her wealth for his own benefit. Then, he demanded for her to travel with him on a ship from LaRochelle, France to the Saint Lawrence River in Canada. What kind of man makes a young woman take a dangerous trip like this? She was resentful; she knew it wouldn’t be easy.

The story is rich with its history, vivid setting and contrast of the rich and poor worlds. The reader can easily get lost in the words of Marguerite’s love affair and journey where she was always asking the Blessed Virgin Mary to keep her safe. She was brave and resourceful with her teachings as she realized that life was “as short as a blade of grass.”

At the end, the author provided readers with a list of reference books for those interested along with historical notes and her personal inspiration for writing this story. Her last book, “Sam” was also about a survivor and now readers can be enthralled with how these two strong women prevailed. Marguerite lived to tell her story and Allegra Goodman brought it to our attention.

My thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 21, 2025.

In the 1500’s Marguerite de la Rocque, the young daughter of wealthy French nobility was orphaned and her fortune squandered by her unscrupulous guardian. Based on this actual historical character, the novel imagines her story as she is taken by that guardian on an expedition to New France (Canada) during which she falls in love with his secretary. Angered, the guardian abandons her, her lover and her nurse on an uninhabited island where they must struggle to survive. It is a powerful tale of a once privileged and pampered woman finding the strength to overcome deprivation and loss to eventually find her way home.

I could not book this book down. The story of an heir to a chateau with its own village and lands, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and Jean Francois de la Rocque de Roberval—an enigmatic and volatile older man Marguerite has never met—becomes her guardian, controlling her future. He sells her property to pay his debts, leaving her destitute, and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends Roberval’s servant and the two begin meeting secretly aboard the ship, drawn together by an intense attraction. But when Roberval discovers Marguerite’s deception, his rage is all-consuming. As punishment, he maroons her and her lover on a small island, condemning them to certain death. The way she keeps fighting and surviving is an inspiring read for all women. Highly Recommend

Isola by Allegra Goodman is a historical fiction survival story about an aristocratic French woman who is banished to New France (Canada) and must learn to survive on her own in the wilderness.

This was a heartbreaking story about resilience, faith, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who must fight for survival in a strange land, foraging for food, building a shelter, and protecting herself from the brutal elements. The 16th century setting of this story made the harsh reality of the characters experience so much more harrowing due to our understanding of history. The resourcefulness and strength of the characters, specifically Marguerite, was incredibly inspiring and her faith and belief that she would survive, offered important lessons in courage and mindfulness. I was shocked to learn that this story was loosely based off a real story about a French aristocrat being exiled to an island in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence. As a Canadian, I am saddened that I never learned about this woman's story and am confused as to why it is not taught in schools? I read the book rooting for Marguerite while also imagining what I would have done if I had been trapped on the island. The descriptions of the island showed both its cruelty and beauty, something Marguerite had to grapple with, mirroring her own conflicted feelings she had about life before and after her exile.

Isola by Allegra Goodman is an emotional epic story that everyone should read. An important and forgotten part of Canadian and French history.

For me, Isola is as perfect a book as can be. The cover is gorgeous and the story is great learning experience of a little known woman in history. Not having previous knowledge of who Marguerite was, I was delighted to hear her story. It's a heartbreaking one and I love how author Allegra Goodman tells it in a very clear, straightforward manner. I'm usually drawn to lyrical prose, but I was invested in Goodman's style from page one. Aside from the story itself, the history is solid. There's a lot of God on the page, which may deter some readers, but as a Catholic I was grateful and as a student of history, well, Catholicism was a deep part of French culture and society at this point.

I'd absolutely recommend this title and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

Thanks to Dial Press for the opportunity to read and review this title through NetGalley.

As I was reading this historical fiction novel about a woman who gets stranded on a desolate Canadian island in the 1500s, I kept thinking...this is so far-fetched. I can't suspend my disbelief enough to keep going! But I'm glad I did, and even more glad that I found out this insanity is based on a true story?! Pick this one up for the general badassery of women. We really can do it all.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this epic saga of a French noblewoman who is betrayed by her guardian and must learn to survive. This novel was full of adventure and Goodman creates beautiful settings, including France, the voyage to New France and a small island.

The story is told by Marguerite, a young, orphaned woman set to live a life of gentility until her guardian steals her property pay his debts and controls her future. Marguerite dares to control her own fate and is ultimately banished to a small island with her lover and servant.

Marguerite's two years on the island are heartbreaking and reveal the true power of a woman's will to survive in a man's world. Marguerite uses her love and faith to endure unimaginable loss and gruesome conditions.

This is one of my top reads for 2024. This is my first read by Allegra Goodman and I look forward to reading more by this author. I appreciated the author's note as well and finding out that Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval is a real person in history.

I highly recommend this novel, especially in today's climate where women are still struggling to maintain rights to their own body and person.

Trigger warnings: death, infant death, violence to animals.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Impressive historical fiction. The main character is a strong and driven young woman who looses everything and perseveres.

In sixteenth century France, an orphaned heiress, Marguerite, is forced to leave her life of privilege to join her appointed “Guardian” on an expedition to “New France.” Left with little choice in her own destiny, Marguerite forges a forbidden relationship with her guardian’s servant - finding a spark of joy in uncertain times. The joy is short lived, however, as the relationship is discovered and the couple is left stranded on a deserted island as punishment.

Based on a shocking true story- Isola is incredibly well written and well researched. This piece of historical fiction offers a glimpse into life in the 16th century; when women were considered property, the wealthy ruled the economy, and European colonization of north America was at its peak. Goodman gives a realistic view into this unique era, telling stories of women, servants, and explorers with incredible detail and accuracy.

The build up is slow but necessary - the first half of the book is dedicated to providing background information - but it allows the reader to become invested and truly understand the characters. From the moment Marguerite, along with her nurse and her lover, were abandoned on the island, I didn’t want to put it down! Even knowing from the prologue that she lives to tell the tale, I became so invested in the incredible story of survival. I was able to envision the setting vividly- a testament to Goodman’s incredibly descriptive writing and imagination.

Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, beautiful literary prose, or a forbidden romance, Isola is a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Dial Press for an eARC copy of this novel! Will be sharing review on instagram/goodreads closer to publishing date !

Writing: 5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Atmosphere: 4.5/5

After reading The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, I've been craving something to make me feel the way I felt about that book - and this is the one.

Isola is a gripping saga of survival, betrayal, and resilience, following Marguerite, a French noblewoman stripped of everything she knows and abandoned on an unforgiving island by her cruel guardian and uncle, Roberval.

This powerful tale, inspired by the life of a real 16th century woman, unveils Marguerite's journey from privilege to isolation, where she must rely on her own courage and wit to endure impossible odds.

What captivated me most was Marguerite's strength and transformation. Her losses - her family, her inheritance, and ultimately her loved ones - make her resilient, a survivor who learns to thrive in nature's harshest conditions.

Her battle is heartbreaking yet empowering, as she endures alone until finally seizing the chance to return to France.

A couple of fave quotes:

"I am the instrument of my own exile."

"I wept for joy because I could escape, and for sorrow I must leave alone."

If you love epic tales of resilience, historical depth, and rich, atmospheric writing with a badass female main character, Isola is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Well, that was a bit brutal.

I had never heard of Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval, so had no idea this was based on a real person until I read the author’s note.

There are very few historical accounts of the real Marguerite, and Allegra Goodman does a wonderful job of writing her as a fully-formed human being. We see her grow up, make friends, experience loss, find love, and change as a person. Was the journey through all this pleasant? Absolutely not. But Goodman’s writing is so good and the story so compelling that it makes you want to continue through the stress and tears. 4/5.

Isola is a wide sweeping tale of a a young French woman in the 1500's, who was orphaned at a young age and continues to live in her large familial home under the eye of her guardian who comes and goes. Because Marguerite is an orphan, and a woman, she is left to the whims of her guardian Jean Francois de la Rocque de Roberval who ends up spending much of her inheritance and sells her estate. She ultimately finds herself en route to New France on Roberval's ship when a relationship between her and a servant is discovered and they are marooned on a small island and left to fend for themselves. Much of the latter part of the book is about her time on the island and trying to survive. I found the earlier parts of the book more engaging than the latter survival tales- it almost read as two different books, but this was an impressive tale of the journey of one woman through major hardship.

Thank you to the Dial Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

This historical novel is based on a true story about a noble women named Marguerite de la Rocque. The time period is the 1500’s. As a child in France she was orphaned and her cousin became her guardian. She was cheated out of her inheritance and this cousin was a cruel and devious man. Women had no rights in these times and she was at his mercy. She was once a pampered and rich woman. Her cousin abandoned her on an uninhabited island. This is the story of how she survived and was rescued years later. The story is a testament to her strength and determination to live. A very interesting story.