Do not recommend.From the first chapter, I knew that I would not like this book. The reason is that the narrator is too detached.There wasn’t a single character that I was rooting for.Unfortunately, the storytelling was weak.The premise of *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival* is promising--a young girl is dropped off on a remote island with her servant and love interest. So think *Hatchet* with a plus one. But it wasn't good. I would take *Hatchet* any day over *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survi...

Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival is the historical fiction novel that reimagines the life of 16th-century French noblewoman, Marguerite de la Rocque. Frightening. Treacherous. Brutal. Inescapable... Orphaned by age three, Marguerite's inheritance was squandered by her guardian and cousin, Roberval. When she came of age, he sold her estate to pay his debts and forced her to live and sail with him on his expedition to New France (Canada). During the voyage, Roberval discovered a relationship ...

I absolutely adored this book. It felt like I lived an entirely different life while reading it, which is the most amazing thing a novel can offer. The audiobook version of "Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival" by Allegra Goodman is fantastic. I highly recommend it! If you're looking for captivating book reviews, look no further.

This one's such a slow burn that I can totally see why some readers might find "Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival" boring. That said, I ended up really enjoying this book. I found Allegra Goodman's story pretty fascinating.Sure, it's labeled as historical fiction, but I still find it hard to neatly box this story into one genre. It’s definitely more than just a historical novel. Marguerite’s story was actually kind of wild. She went through so much, most of which she absolutely didn’t deserve....

I found *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival* to be a very slow and brooding read. I did appreciate the background Allegra Goodman set up, the period when women were essentially vassals for men to use and abuse. Marguerite, a wealthy, or at least soon-to-be wealthy heiress, a girl of the sixteenth century, finds herself in dire straits when her father dies and a devious guardian uses her fortune to finance his own future. When she is taken on a voyage to New France with her guardian's secretary...

I'm going against the grain again – I found *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival* to be a real drag. This book is based on the incredible true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a French noblewoman. You can find everything you need to know about her harrowing experience here: [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_de_La_Rocque](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marguerite_de_La_Rocque) If you're after a melodramatic, fictionalized version of her story, then you'll find it in this novel by ...

I feel like I've been enveloped in a shadowy cloak and transported back to the 16th century, where women were silenced and men dictated every family decision. Marguerite, an orphaned heiress, discovers her uncle has recklessly gambled away her fortune on a daring expedition to New France, which she's now compelled to join. Enraged by her forbidden love, her uncle resorts to extreme measures, banishing her and her lover to a desolate isle as punishment. A transformation from woman to warrior; ...

My first favorite read of 2025! "Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival" is a sweeping historical fiction tale based on the real-life story of Marguerite de La Rocque of 15th-century France. Allegra Goodman did a brilliant job breathing new life into Marguerite’s forgotten tale, and I loved how historically accurate it is. I adored following Marguerite's journey from a noble young lady to a strong and fierce survivor. Inspiring and emotionally charged, "Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival" is a sto...

This isn't a book for everyone, so read my thoughts below to see if Allegra Goodman's *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival* is right for you. *Isola: A Novel of Love and Survival* demands that you embrace Fran Lebowitz's sentiment: "A book is not supposed to be a mirror. It's supposed to be a door." This isn't essential for every book, but it's a crucial perspective for this one.Immersing ourselves in 16th-century France is, frankly, like stepping into an alien society. Medicine, geography, poli...

Based on the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque, a young noblewoman in the 1500s... she's orphaned and placed under the care of Roberval, a volatile stranger in charge of her future.He's also a gambling addict who sells her lands and home to cover his debts. Then, he forces her to join his voyage to New France, convinced he'll strike it rich.They board the ship – Marguerite with her servant, Damienne. The trip is brutal, but she finds herself falling for Roberval's secretary, and they're caug...