A REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK
The New York Times ‘Best Books of the Year (So Far)'
A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in a deeply moving novel of love, faith and survival, for readers of Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist and Anthony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See
‘This made me cry on an airplane but it was worth it! A luscious, rich and moving novel, a beautiful, careful and profound book about survival and hope’ Alice Winn, bestselling author of In Memoriam
‘An extraordinary book that reads like a thriller, written with the care of the most delicate psychological and historical fiction’ Vogue ‘Best Books of 2025’
‘A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history’ Jodi Picoult, author of My Sister's Keeper
In sixteenth-century France, as the heiress to an aristocratic fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of privilege. Then she is orphaned, and her enigmatic and volatile guardian squanders her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to the new French colonies of North America. Isolated and afraid, Marguerite befriends her guardian’s servant and the two develop an intense attraction. But when their relationship is discovered, they are brutally punished, abandoned on a small island with no hope for rescue.
From a childhood dressed in gowns with laced pearls in her hair, Marguerite finds herself at the mercy of nature. As the weather turns, blanketing the island in ice, she discovers a faith she had never before needed…
Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola tells the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.
About the Author
Allegra Goodman is the author of six novels, including Intuition, which was longlisted for the Orange Prize in 2009. Her short fiction has appeared in the New Yorker and the Sunday Times, and her essays and reviews have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New Republic, Washington Post and Boston Globe. She is the recipient of a Whiting Award and a fellowship from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Industry Reviews
‘A beautiful and profound book about survival and hope’ Alice Winn, author of In Memoriam
‘Fascinating… Delicious… Powerful… I was enthralled, first to last’ Washington Post
‘Based on a true story, Isola by Allegra Goodman has it all: love, resilience, defiance... I mean, she even fights a bear! This is easily one of my favorite historical fiction reads yet.’ Reese Witherspoon
‘A work of tremendous imagination that draws on harrowing historical records to spin a story of self-determination, courage and faith’ New York Times
‘An extraordinary book that reads like a thriller, written with the care of the most delicate psychological and historical fiction’ Vogue ‘Best Books of 2025’
'Allegra Goodman’s latest novel is a feminist castaway tale about love, faith, and self-actualization.' Time, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2025'
'Lushly painted . . . a perfect read for cozying up by a roaring fire—and feeling thankful you’re not the sixteenth-century heroine the story is based on.' People, 'Most Anticipated Books of 2025'
‘What a gift this novel is: vast, lush, feminist, and brilliantly crafted… Exhilarating’ Ann Napolitano, author of Hello Beautiful
‘A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it’s true.’ Jodi Picoult, author of My Sister’s Keeper
‘Makes the past strange and real and maddening - and is all the more memorable for that.’ Joanna Quinn, author of The Whalebone Theatre
‘Isola is a tale of struggle, strength, and survival that’s both timely and timeless’ Paste
‘An exciting, imagined narrative . . . As a novel of adventure and redemption and as a story of a woman coming into her own, [Isola] is a rewarding read.’ Bookpage
‘Resilience! Surviving the elements! Polar bears! But one of the best parts of Goodman’s writing is her insistence that all young girls have stories and lives worth sharing, even if this one is particularly exceptional.’ Literary Hub, “Most Anticipated Books of 2025”
‘Goodman writes with fluid beauty, deep empathy, and an emotional undertow that pulls you in and holds you from the first page to the last.’ Kirkus Reviews
‘Engrossing . . . Goodman brilliantly depicts Marguerite’s courage as she fights to survive the bitter Canadian winter. It’s a rousing portrait of an undaunted woman.’ Publishers Weekly
‘Goodman’s lush and enthralling castaway tale of betrayal and love, suffering and strength is magnificent in its beauty, mystery, fury, and redemption.’ Booklist
