Isola by Allegra Goodman

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Isola by Allegra Goodman – A Gripping Survival Story You Won’t Believe Is (Mostly) True

(Spoiler Warning – Full plot details below!)

Sometimes a book grabs you by the throat halfway through and doesn’t let go—and Isola by Allegra Goodman is absolutely that kind of book. I went into it curious, then cautious, then completely hooked. And by the end? I was literally shaking. Yes, this one’s that good.

Based on the jaw-dropping true story of Marguerite de la Roque, Isola is a historical fiction survival tale that goes places most novels wouldn’t dare. Honestly, I finished the last page and immediately Googled the real story—and couldn’t believe how closely the book sticks to the truth.

So, if you’re a fan of historical fiction based on real women’s stories, female friendship, gritty survival drama, or books that emotionally wreck you in the best way—add Isola to your TBR, stat.

What’s Isola About?

Isola tells the story of Marguerite de la Roque, a French noble girl whose life spirals after she’s orphaned as a child. Her father dies heroically in battle for the king, and her mother dies in childbirth, leaving Marguerite in the care of her nurse Damienne and under the guardianship of her shady, distant cousin Jean-François de Roberval.

Raised in the shadow of her family’s lost glory, Marguerite spends her childhood at the crumbling Périgord chateau. Roberval rarely visits, but when he does, it’s clear he sees Marguerite as more of a financial asset than a relative. Meanwhile, Damienne becomes her real family, and Madame Jacqueline d’Artois arrives to tutor her. Marguerite bonds deeply with the tutor’s daughter, Claire, and their friendship becomes a rare source of warmth and stability.

But things take a turn. Roberval blows through Marguerite’s inheritance thanks to gambling debts and mortgages the castle to the Montfort family. With no dowry left, marriage is no longer an option, and Marguerite and Damienne are shuffled off to a small tower on the estate.

From Château to Shipwreck

At sixteen, Marguerite is sent to live with Roberval in La Rochelle, a seaside town. There, she grows close to his secretary Auguste, and sparks start to fly. Despite their secret feelings, there’s danger in every moment—because Roberval has plans.

Soon, he announces they’re all setting sail to New France (Canada), whether they want to or not. On the ship, Auguste and Marguerite begin sneaking around and eventually fall in love. But when Roberval catches them, he’s furious. As punishment, he maroons Marguerite, Auguste, and Damienne on a desolate island, leaving them with minimal supplies and no way home.

A Brutal and Beautiful Survival Story

Life on the island is harsh. Food is scarce. Predators are everywhere. And yet, it’s also the first time Marguerite and Auguste can be truly free. They fall deeper in love, and Marguerite becomes pregnant.

Then, tragedy hits—again and again.

  • Auguste dies from a stomach illness.

  • A polar bear ravages his grave. (Yes, a polar bear.)

  • Marguerite, pregnant and starving, uses her own afterbirth as fish bait.

  • The baby, also named Auguste, dies within days due to malnourishment.

  • Damienne accidentally cuts herself, gets an infection, and dies too.

It’s just Marguerite now. Cold, alone, and completely broken. But she finds faith again—out of desperation and grief—and somehow, she survives.

The Return Home

Eventually, Basque fishermen rescue Marguerite and bring her back to France. But it’s not a storybook return—she’s so changed, no one recognizes her. People push her away like she’s just another beggar.

Until Claire sees her.

Their bond helps restore her identity, and Marguerite tells her full story to the Queen of France. Roberval, who told a very different version to the court, is never punished. But Marguerite gets what she always wanted—a school, built with Claire, to educate other young girls.

What Makes Isola So Powerful?

This book is wild. It starts quiet, then becomes a survival story filled with emotional devastation, female resilience, and the kind of writing that makes you pause and just feel. Knowing it’s all based on real history makes it even more haunting.

Marguerite de la Roque really was marooned on an island in the 1500s. She really lost everyone. And she really made it home. Her story is one of the most incredible survival tales you’ve probably never heard of—until now.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 out of 5)

  • 🏝️ Great for fans of: Historical fiction based on true stories, feminist survival narratives, gut-wrenching emotional journeys

  • 📚 If you liked: Circe by Madeline Miller, The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, or The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

  • ⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Death (including child and animal death), miscarriage, starvation, isolation, violence, grief, religious trauma

This is a must-read for anyone who loves untold women’s history and the kind of storytelling that sticks with you long after the last page. I couldn’t put it down—and honestly, I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

Have You Read Isola?

What did you think of Marguerite’s story? Did it shake you like it shook me? Drop a comment below or let me know if you're adding this one to your list! 🐻📖

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