I’m not sure whether this foray into historical fiction is a first for this author, but she handles the old problem of how to convey an archaic voice with aplomb. This is a limpid, appealing narrative of survivalism and spiritual refinement that transcends expectations. A parable? A romantic fantasy? I’m not sure how exactly to categorize it, but it undoubtedly casts a spell and dodges expectations. A new development for Goodman and a successful one.

Isola is based on the true story of a young French noblewoman, Marguerite de la Roque de Roberval. Marguerite comes of age without family but with her loyal maid, her teacher, and her teacher’s daughter. Having lost her parents at a very young age, she has a guardian, her cousin and a French explorer Roberval. He is a demanding guardian and a true explorer at heart. As Marguerite comes of age, she is summoned to accompany him on a journey to New France. Marguerite, having fallen out of favor on the journey as she falls in love with Roberval’s secretary Auguste, gets abandoned and left behind on a remote island of what is now Canada. Marguerite fights for survival and is rescued after two years by Basque fisherman explorers. This was a remarkable story that is beautifully told. Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC.

I read a lot of historical fiction. So it was a very pleasant surprise to find a book by an author I didn't know which was one of the most compelling pieces of historical fiction I've read in some time. It is based on a true story: Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval is cared for by her cousin, who is supposed to manage her inheritance until she is of marrying age. But of course he doesn't manage it - he spends it and sells her family's property.

Part one of the book starts when Marguerite is nine, and sets up the conditions that come to a head later in the story as we see her guardian mismanage her affairs, and subject her to cruelties including isolating her in substandard living conditions and (rather ruthlessly) attempt to teach her the Bible. When she is 18, de la Rocque de Roberval takes her on a journey to New France (northern Canada) as he attempts to start a Catholic colony there. Once on the voyage, she meets and falls in love with Roberval's secretary, and he punishes them by marooning them on a remote, uninhabited island near the Canada coast.

The part of the book that is the heart of the story begins here. Marguerite, her lover Auguste and her nursemaid Damienne must survive on this island despite having little to work with. This part reads like an adventure story - their courage and resourcefulness in learning to use what the island has to give is wonderfully interesting and inspiring. Of course, it is also rough and dangerous, and their ability to survive is tested.

Goodman writes this story in a straightforward manner - no hyperbole, romancing the situation or exaggerating the events. We get to know Marguerite as the extraordinarily strong woman she would have had to be to make her way through the trying circumstances she was subjected to. I very much enjoyed reading this book, and now am looking forward to reading other works by this very interesting author.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*Isola* by Allegra Goodman is a beautifully layered novel that explores love, art, and self-discovery with graceful prose. Goodman's characters feel vivid and real, drawing readers into a richly immersive world. It's a deeply emotional and thought-provoking story that resonates long after it's finished.

I had never read a book set in this time period, but I'm sure glad that I downloaded Isola. Allegra utilizes a beautiful writing style throughout the book that really drew me to empathize and root for the main character. I think the aspect of this book that will remain with me the most is Marguerite's inner dialogue as she finally travels home. She questions if those from her past will even recognize her, and decides that indeed she is not the same girl as the one they once knew. Though this isn't a groundbreaking recognition from the reader's perspective, I was appreciative to have been brought along through that inner dialogue. I'm able to relate to that thought process for different aspects of my life, and I'm grateful to have Allegra's words to set alongside my own reflection.

A child, heiress to a fortune, castle, village and surrounding lands is orphaned. Set in the 1500s, the child is at the mercy of a much older, erratic male cousin who enjoys inflicting mental and physical pain. Her nursemaid is her constant companion until her cousin hires a tutor who has a daughter who becomes Marguerite’s only friend. The cousin, Roberval, a consummate gambler, rents out the castle to pay his debts. Thus, Marguerite, her nursemaid, tutor and friend are banished from the luxury of the castle to the drafty attic. He eventually has to sell everything leaving Marguerite destitute.

A few years later, Roberval finagles the King of France to allow him to take an expedition to New France (Canada). He requires Marguerite, who is deathly afraid of him, to go with him. His goal is to make her his wife. Marguerite is allowed to bring her nursemaid to accompany her. On the voyage Marguerite surreptitiously spends time with Roberval’s secretary and they fall in love. An enraged Roberval strands the three of them on a tiny uninhabitable island.

Once marooned, the story becomes one of survival. Unable to grow food and fortunately finding a cave for shelter, they must find a way to exist. Having never had to fend for themselves, the drive to survive brings about a strength and sense of ingenuity. The time on the island was a fascinating portrayal of grit and self-determination.

The author did a great job researching the time and places. I got chills reading about the snow storms, drifts and polar bears. The pictures she painted placed you right beside Marguerite throughout her journey. I really enjoyed the book. My one issue was that I felt that I was reading about a more contemporary time, not the sixteenth century. I even felt the need to go back to verify this. This caused a miscue for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press Marketing for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Based on a true story in which a woman and her husband were cast away on a island off the Canadian coast in the 17th century, Isola is about a woman growing up and growing into a very resourceful and resilient person. Goodman manages to tell the story without any pollyanna-isms or melodrama, just good, plain storytelling. This will be a favorite for book clubs and other discussion groups.

3.75 stars

This book really captures what I most love about historical fiction: a solid sense of place, nice characterization, and information about historical elements about which I previously knew little to nothing (and, in this case, that's the featured character's nonfictional counterpart).

Marguerite is set up for success thanks to her parents' prosperity, but like all women, her personal safety hangs by a thread. That tiny connector is snipped when her parents die, and she gets a new, unpredictable guardian. The evolution of their relationship, but especially of the events that unfold when that relationship is further challenged, is a highlight. Since this work is labeled "survivalist," I'll add without any intention of spoilers that this is another high point and the most pivotal set of opportunities through which Marguerite can - and must - grow.

There were times when the pacing felt too slow for me, even if the intention was for the style to match the motif. That noted, there's quite a lot to like here, and I'll be recommending this one as a steady character study versus an action-packed survivalist extravaganza. I definitely enjoyed this listen and suggest the audiobook when and where accessible.

I enjoyed this book so much that I reached out to Allegra Goodman on Instagram to thank her. For 32 years, I was convinced that I was not a historical fiction reader. This book made me realize that perhaps I was just hadn't found the right voice. I give this book a solid five stars, and I have pre-ordered a hardcover copy as a permanent trophy for my home library.

This book transports us back to the 1500s, but not in an uneducated potato-sack fashion kind of way. This is the story of a girl, Marguerite, who lost her parents at a young age. As the descendent of a noble family, her inheritance was transferred to her guardian tasked with looking after her until she became of marrying age. Instead, he took her wealth, abused her, and left her to die. But it's amazing what the heart can do. Even in the most desolate setting, with a hopeless outlook, resilience and love can carry us further than any of us think imaginable.

I genuinely appreciated the author's ability to reflect a narrative more in line with 1500's culture without villainizing it. Obviously looking back and comparing to our modern era, the book highlights how a woman's role has significantly changed (and improved) since then. It's easy to make these characters into caricatures, but the author maintains the setting with authenticity.

This is exactly the type of book that I would recommend to a litfic reader, especially those who haven't had the opportunity to explore historical fiction. I will absolutely be featuring this book on my bookstagram, and I thank the publishers for this e-galley as well as the physical copy I have just received!

In the early 1500's, the young French heiress Marguerite is orphaned. She learns that Jean François de la Rocque de Roberval is her guardian. He is a wicked man and blows though her inheritance quickly. It's when he takes her on one of his voyages to find new land that the story really begins...
Join the poor little rich orphan Margueritte in this haunting story.
#randomhouse #isola #allegragoodman

This is a beautifully written historical fiction, based on a true story. Marguerite is a French noble and orphan, repetitively wronged by her guardian, who undergoes incredible growth throughout the novel.

Unfortunately there are major triggers here- had I known these were present I would not have selected this book. I stopped at 60%, but thoroughly enjoyed the plot and character development up to the part where I had to stop.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

This is and for quite a while will be one of the most stunning works of fiction I have read this year. Not since Ahab's Wife (Sena Jeter Naslund) have I experienced such a heartfelt exposition on female growth, flaws, and survival. Some of what I have to say might be odd, but these are my gut reactions.

First, and to get it off my chest, I WISH WISH WISH that, when Roberval asked for funding, that our protagonist had send back a book of Psalms. I realize this was something that was likely considered by the author and slipped for being cliche. Still. This was my ONLY unfulfilled wish.

The roller coaster here was insane. The first parts had me wishing for more intense pacing. Then the novel picked up during the casting away of the protagonist and I was grateful and charmed in retrospect by the lengthy exposition. Then, betwixt the chaos and tragedy, the survival story was (dare I say) cozy. We've heard of cozy mysteries and cozy romance and here we have a cozy survival adventure? How did the author do this? How did she draw me in further with a progression so unlikely and intense. And then, HOW did she surprise me by revealing it was based on historical accounts? It's late, I've spent many hours reading, my eyes are tired, forgive these ramblings.

Understandably considering the time, the subject of faith is heavy. I did find myself glossing over many of those parts as I felt the weight of them detracting from. The take at hand and otherwise atmospheric and immersive prose.

A gorgeous book. Well done, you.

Set in the 1500s and based on fact, Isola is a beautifully written novel about a period of upheaval in the life of French woman, Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval. Love and hate, loyalty and betrayal, resilience and despair are recurrent themes throughout, which the protagonist and other richly drawn characters must negotiate their way through, to an interesting conclusion. Highly recommended. Thanks to Allegra Goodman, Dial Press Marketing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book. This isn't the sort of book I would normally choose but two catalysts propelled this to the top of my list: I was offered an advance by the publisher and I had recently read (and loved) "Sam" by the same author. The premise sounded intriguing - the story of a wealthy orphan named Marguerite in 16th century France whose fortune is held in trust by a guardian - and squandered. In some ways that reminded me of "A Little Princess", a favorite book of my childhood. But there was so much more here: as young Marguerite's fortunes decline, she is at the mercy of her guardian and forced to join him on his travels by sea to Canada. You can find out more by reading the plot summaries online, but it is better enjoyed not knowing more.

I loved the author's note at the end and learned that this is based on a true story - and that the author sees similarities between Marguerite and Sam, the protagonist from her other novel.

I'm grateful to the publisher and NetGalley for this advance read which got me out of my comfort zone - into a true adventure story.

This was an engrossing historical fiction novel. It was emotional and heartbreaking. It showed the struggles of women in the 1500s, including nobility. It is drastically different from her first novel, Sam. The characters were well written and true to the time.

What an unusual and fascinating story set in France and the “new world” in the 1500s. A rich imagining, based on limited historical knowledge of the life of the main character, Marguerite. In her youth, she lives a wealthy, comfortable life with prospects of a good marriage. When she is orphaned, her world starts to shrink as her guardian uses her wealth for his own debts. Suddenly destitute, her life is no longer her own. Abandoned on a desolate island, we follow her struggle to survive. A fascinating read.

“Isola” is an entertaining and informative story based on a woman who survived alone on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence for two years during the mid-1500s. Goodman vividly portrays Marguerite's childhood and her time on the island by describing in detail the places she lives, and the people with whom she interacts. Marguerite is a person whose faith is tested by the challenges of winters on the island when she struggles with wild creatures and blizzards.

Goodman writes this story using simple declarative sentences which move the plot with continuing swiftness. But this same style diminishes the emotional impact of the stresses on Marguerite's life.

I loved this one. This isn’t normally a book I’d pick up but i’m so glad I did! This is the story about a young French woman who is in the care of her greedy and awful cousin who sails to explore and colonize new lands. He sells her home and takes her with him on his trip and then abandons her on an island with her nurse and her lover where she is forced to learn to hunt and fish and garden.

Things I loved about this book: it was different than anything i’ve read before/normally pick up. Although a completely different time period, the writing was easy to ready and understand kept me hooked. I flew through 50% of the book in one day to find out what happened to her on the island.

Things I did love: the ending was rushed and random. Once she got off the island and back to her old home, my interest plummeted and the excitement fell.

Thanks to Netgally and Allegra Goodman and the publishers for this ARC. I’d definitely recommend this book and will be checking out other books by this author.

A beautiful story of a young woman, born to a life of wealth and privilege in France during the mid-1500s, who has it all taken from her. She is let to die on on a small island near Canada. The story is engaging, and the writing is beautiful. I highly recommend this book.

I am shocked that I didn’t know Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval’s story before reading this novel. I will certainly be looking up the primary sources provided!
Goodman takes the small account and weaves a marvellous but tragic account of Marguerite’s life. We see how precarious a woman’s position in society could be as well as the grit and determination women had to overcome the obstacles set before them.