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Isola

A Novel

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Isola

Written by: Allegra Goodman
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Allegra Goodman
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About this listen

REESE’S BOOK CLUB PICK • “A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history.”—Jodi Picoult, author of By Any Other Name

“A new generation of survival story . . . an extraordinary book that reads like a thriller, written with the care of the most delicate psychological and historical fiction.”—Vogue (Best of 2025 Preview)

A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this “lushly painted” (People) historical epic of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam.

Heir to a fortune, Marguerite is destined for a life of prosperity and gentility. Then she is orphaned, and her guardian—an enigmatic and volatile man—spends her inheritance and insists she accompany him on an expedition to New France. That journey takes a unexpected turn when Marguerite, accused of betrayal, is brutally punished and abandoned on a small island.

Once a child of privilege who dressed in gowns and 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’d never before needed.

Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival.

*This audiobook contains a PDF with a map and recommendations for further reading from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Allegra Goodman (P)2025 Random House Audio
Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction France Island

What the critics say

“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”

“Allegra Goodman’s latest novel is a feminist castaway tale about love, faith, and self-actualization.”Time, “Most Anticipated Books of 2025”

“Blazing action on each page—Marguerite’s shrewd deploying of tactics for her own salvation—reminds readers to place our money on the power of human female ingenuity.”—The Washington Post

What listeners say about Isola

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Awesome story of one pilgrim’s journey

As a Canadian, I often wonder about the first settlers who came to this wild land in the 1500s. I wonder about the things they saw, how they lived, how they survived. This story tells one of those true stories, not about a man but a woman. Wow. At the time, a high borne female pilgrim from France crossing the ocean would have been a rarity indeed, but being taken to the new world against your will, would have been another thing entirely. This book grabbed me right from the start and wouldn’t let me go. It is a must read.

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Incredible story of resilience

I enjoyed listening to this incredible story of resilience of a noble woman, Marguerite abandoned in Canada. I was hooked listening to this story right from the start and what made it more fascinating was that it was based on a true story. I highly recommend it.

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