Allegra Goodman is a fantastic author in the sense of she writes beautifully. However, there are other issues.

"Where is the chase and how do we cut to it?" I mumbled to myself as I increased the speed on the audiobook yet again. Instead, at the HALFWAY mark the plot point of being left on the island, which is the cornerstone of the description, occurred. The first 50% of the book is the life of a sheltered French noblewoman who does not leave her house and garden for most of it. There are tons of prayers and psalms. It was excruciating because I kept wanting to know how to cut to the chase.

Even once they were stranded on the island, there were so many details and so little action. The small amount of action in the book is packed into brief snips. Some heavy editing could have still given the reader, or listener as I was, just as much of sense of the banality of life in the 16th century for an isolated French noblewoman without spending half of an entire book on it!

Perhaps I am not the intended audience for this book, despite the fact that the description and the haunting cover sold me. Finishing this was a slog and my hatred of the first half really ruined my enjoyment of the good parts. However, it was well written and it certainly has an audience that will enjoy it. I am not the right audience, but hopefully someone who doesn't mind my critiques will love it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House Audio for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

Very interesting point of view! Narrator was well suited to this piece. Harrowing tale of love and misfortune. A young woman gains and loses everything multiple times over the course of her young life. She learns to love and to distrust those around her.

A really interesting historical fiction based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, who along with her lover was marooned on an island off the shore of Canada in the 1500's. You learn of her life as a wealthy, aristocratic French girl, but when both her parents pass away, she is entrusted to a guardian, who seeks adventure and uses Marguerite's fortune and property to finance his travels. When he takes his charge to "New France" he becomes enraged when Marguerite falls in love with his secretary, and banishes them to a remote island. When Marguerite looses her lover, her young child, and finally her faithful servant, she is forced to come to terms with her own desire to live. She has amazing adventures, and lives to create a new life for herself. Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook access!

Isola by Allegra Goodman is a captivating historical novel that blends rich historical context with the depth of character development, creating a story that is both deeply engaging and thought-provoking. From the start, I found myself completely immersed in the world Goodman has created. The novel centers on Marguerite, a strong female protagonist, and offers a fascinating exploration of her life, set against a backdrop that feels both authentic and vivid. What really drew me to the book was its historical aspect, particularly because it is based on a real person. The combination of true events with Goodman’s storytelling allows for a unique, enriching experience that kept me hooked.

One of the highlights of the book is Goodman’s ability to bring a real historical figure to life. The way she integrates historical details into the storyline adds a layer of authenticity and depth, making the events of Marguerite's life come alive in a way that feels true to the time period. Readers are not only transported to a different era but also made to feel like witnesses to a real person’s struggles, triumphs, and growth. This sense of realism gives the novel weight, as you begin to feel as though you are experiencing Marguerite's journey alongside her.

At the heart of Isola is Marguerite herself, a protagonist whose complexity and strength make her a standout in the literary world. Marguerite is a woman who is not defined solely by the circumstances of her time, but by her own inner fortitude and resilience. She faces personal struggles and challenges with a determination that is both inspiring and relatable. Her character is a beautiful exploration of growth, self-discovery, and inner strength. I particularly enjoyed how Goodman allows Marguerite’s imperfections to shine through, making her more human and accessible, It’s rare to come across a female protagonist with such depth, and Marguerite definitely fits that description. Her journey is one of both personal and emotional discovery, and it is a joy to witness her grow and evolve throughout the novel.

Goodman’s style is another standout aspect of Isola. The prose is lush and vivid, drawing readers into the world of the novel and creating a strong sense of place. The prose has a fluid, almost lyrical quality to it that complements the emotional depth of the characters. Goodman’s attention to detail, particularly in the historical aspects of the story, gives the book a richness that enhances the narrative without overwhelming it. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unfold at a comfortable rhythm that lets the character development and historical backdrop shine.

Isola also offers an exploration of universal themes such as identity, love, loss, and resilience. These themes resonate on a personal level, making the story accessible and relatable, even to readers who might not typically gravitate toward historical fiction. Goodman’s ability to intertwine these personal, emotional themes with the broader strokes of history is what makes the book so compelling. There’s a real sense of humanity that runs through every page, allowing readers to connect with Marguerite’s struggles and triumphs, even as they unfold within the confines of a particular historical period.

I found the fictionalized story of Marguerite de la Rocque gripping throughout as she seeks independence from her awful, power-hungry guardian Roberval. The first-person narrative is lively, bringing Marguerite's strength and determination to the forefront. I listened to the audiobook and found the performance well-suited to the protagonist's sympathetic yet matter-of-fact voice. This is ultimately a story of survival as Marguerite is marooned by her guardian in New France, and her ingenuity is impressive. However, Marguerite suffers one misfortune after another, and it's a bit frustrating to not have a sense of the narrative leading towards a larger purpose or message. There are elements of the character and story that are empowering, though it's difficult to remove these from an unsettling sense of dread and injustice that resonate a bit too much currently. I did really enjoy the character of Marguerite and found the book to be an absorbing read.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Allegra Goodman was superb in her writing, building the story slowly yet keeping you interested. Such an interesting story, it had me wanting more the whole time . The narrator was also phenomenal.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction book, and love that it was based on the story of a real woman. Her bravery and perseverance in the face of abandonment, loss, and danger was inspiring!

Although I have read and enjoyed many of Allegra Goodman's books, I started listening to Isola with some apprehension. It seemed so far and different from those I'd read. It did not take me long to realize that my apprehension was unfounded. Here, in the hands of a talented writer, unfolds the fictionalized story of the real 16th-century Marguerite, orphaned daughter of a man who had served and died for the King, whose wealth was seized by her guardian to pay his debts. Eventually, he takes her on the voyage he leads to New France, where he leaves her, her remaining devoted maid, and his secretary, with whom Marguerite had fallen in love. The story of her survival, the deprivations and losses she endured, and her eventual rescue, is mesmerizingly told, a tale that is enhanced by the and superb narration of Fiona Hardingham. Marguerite is an inspiration and in Goodman's talented hands her story is now available for readers to enjoy. Highly recommended.

Beautifully written and narrated. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, but there were enough common feminist elements to keep me interested. I loved the scenery and the characters. It was heartbreaking, but still a delight to read.

I received a pre-pub audiobook from Net Galley. I thought the narrator was excellent. The story was bases on a real person with these real events that actually happened to her. I really liked the story premise of a young woman cast out on a desolate island by an awful relative. The story started out with Marguerite being raised alone by servants and taught reading, writing, and religion in her home. Her cousin, Roberval, who is disinterested in her as a person and more interested in her wealth. He visits infrequently to check on her. Roberval often does not leave her any money to live on, even though she her parents left her much wealth and lands. I felt that this part of the story moved along a bit slowly. Eventually Marguerite, her friend, and her lover were well developed characters. I thought the character of Roberval could have been more developed. When Marguerite becomes of a marrying age the story picks up. I found that the rest of the story very interesting. I found the authors historical note at the end about two different accounts of the real person Marguerite interesting. I enjoyed the book and I hope you do too!

An historical novel that tells a true adventure tale along the lines of Robinson Crusoe. In the 1500s, French heiress Marguerite is orphaned at a very young age, left in the care of a guardian, Roberval, who eventually is appointed governor of New France. As they sail for his new territory, Marguerite and Roberval's assistant fall in love, which angers her ward. So he abandons them, along with her nurse/servant, on an isolated island where the three of them survive through arctic winters and near starvation. Eventually the lone survivor, Marguerite makes her way back to France only to again encounter Roberval as she tries to rebuild her life. Beautifully told, with excellent audio narration, highly recommend for fans of historical survival stories and real life female heroines.

A hauntingly beautiful tale of survival against all odds, the story of Margarite de la Rocque will intrigue many. Goodman brings to life a real historical figure who overcame many issues, including being ruled by a troublesome guardian, and became a story in one of Queen Margarite of Navarre's books. Readers will be drawn into the story, which follows Margarite from her childhood as privileged orphan who is heir to a chateau and lands through her early adulthood with a guardian who sold her land and forced her on a trip to the New World, with rich descriptions and vivid details. Readers will also see the strong relationships our main character formed with her nurse, best friend, and lover. Through each trial, readers will cheer for Margarite as she grows into a new person, a woman who fears not, especially during her exile.

I had the opportunity to listen to the NetGalley audio advanced reader copy. The narrator did an excellent job invoking emotion throughout the book, which helped drive the main character's story.

Very good read! Fascinating to learn that it is based on a true story! This was completely different from the books I typically read, but interesting and engaging. You don't see a lot of fiction from this time period either, or at least it isn't on my radar. The description was so interesting, I had to give it a try! The audiobook was very good and the narrator excellent!

What an incredible achievement to take what was basically a historical footnote, in the context of a few men’s lives, and flesh it out into this beautiful, heart-wrenching saga of one very brave young woman. Allegra Goodman’s words, as thoughtfully narrated by Fiona Hardingham, are perfectly chosen to transport the reader (listener) to 16th century France and beyond.

Five bright, shiny stars for this magnificent and well researched piece of historical fiction. After a bit of a slow start I couldn’t stop listening as the story unfolded. Marguerite is a total badass!

This is an event in history in which I was previously unaware. I’d now like to read more about the fascinating life of Marguerite.

The narration by Fiona Hardingham was perfection! She brought the characters and story to life. I will be searching for other works she has narrated.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and especially anyone who enjoyed The Frozen River. Both of these books are my top tier favorites of historical fiction based on actual real life strong women.

Survival shows are my guilty pleasure so this book was a big hit with me! The story is absolutely fascinating and Goodman did a wonderful job of filling in the blanks in a believable way. I was hooked from the start and couldn't stop listening!

Fiona Hardingham does a beautiful job of reading!

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.