Isola Audiobook By Allegra Goodman cover art

Isola

A Novel

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Isola

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 Renaissance Sagas Women's Fiction Inspiring France Island

Critic reviews

“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

Highly rated for:

Gripping Survival Tale Compelling Historical Fiction Captivating Narration Unwavering Female Resilience
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Magical and marooned

I loved this book so much I didn’t want it to end. It reminded me a little of my childhood favorite “island of the blue dolphins” and yet so different. Great read. Great narration, I couldn’t recommend it more

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    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story, incredible writing, and masterfully read

I didn’t want this story to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful writing and I am thankful I purchased the audiobook which was read aloud perfectly! Although there seems to be limited historical documentation about the characters the author created a wonderful story

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Long journey, great story

I didn’t think I’d enjoy this historical novel, set in a time so long ago. But I found myself not wanting to stop reading (listening!) each chapter.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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A Girl who dared to live

Historical Fiction that is so well written I yelled at the author several times, saying no, no way. The Story of a girl who grows into a women shaped by her harsh experiences yet still manages to love.

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Spellbinding!

Was captivated from the onset with this book and consider it one of my top ten favorite reads. Very much appreciate the narrator’s pleasing tone and expression. She had me mesmerized.

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This book was a great listen!

I loved the rich words that painted the island in my imagination. It reminded me of "Island of the Dolphins.

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Strong and Bold and Real

I love that this story is about a real person from the mid 1500s and that the author brought her to life so beautifully.

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Loved the story

Well researched, written, and narrated. Epic story with great characters. I highly recommend to all.

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Loved it!

Very well written! It starts slow but trust me you will get hooked and will not be able to put it down!

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Beautifully told

This is an amazing survival story of not only what it is to survive a devastatingly brutal experience of loss, but also what it was like to be a girl and then a woman with no rights or power. Margaret was not able to defend or provide for herself in the “civilized world” of France in the sixteenth century at the mercy of an uncaring, unmerciful, and selfish guardian. However, in the brutal unforgiving wilderness of the desolate isle of Isola she could find herself and her own power, steady heart, and will to live even among the harsh elements, wild animals, and sparse provisions on the island.
I enjoyed the performance of the reader. Her voice made the story come to life. I could not stop listening between her reading and the fascinating story.

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