If you like historical fiction novels that are based on a true story then Isola is the perfect choice for your book club. Isola is centered around Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval’s exile in New France during the 16th century. Exploring themes of resilience, identity, faith, and the struggle for female empowerment against societal constraints.
Your group will be immersed back in the 16th century as you follow along with these Isola book club questions. Along with the ten questions, the discussion guide also features a book synopsis, and some selected reviews from readers. Also, at the very end of the guide are some book suggestions with similar themes to Isola.
Isola Synopsis
(We always chose to provide the publisher synopsis because we feel that it’s worthwhile to discuss whether the official book description actually squared with your experience of the book.)
Isola, Allegra Goodman
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.
10 Book Club Questions for Isola
These questions have been tailored to this book’s specific reading experience, but if you want more ideas, we also have an article with 101 generic book club questions.
- How does the historical setting of 16th century Canada contribute to the themes and emotional impact of the story?
- “They were a pair and needed nothing but each other. As for me, I had fine slippers, silk gowns, and more land than I could see. Even my finch lived in a gilt cage, but when I looked at Claire and Madame D’Artois, I felt like a beggar at the door.”
Marguerite often dreams of becoming a bird; free, wild, and able to escape. Do you see her as truly trapped or partly responsible for her confinement?
- What aspects of Goodman’s writing style enhanced the emotional resonance of the story?
- The concept of home is challenged throughout the novel. What does home represent to the different characters? How do their definitions of home evolve throughout the story?
- “To admit Nicholas’ interest was to throw herself away. To refuse him was to risk offending. He might speak to his father, and he, in turn, could complain of us to Roberval. In anger, Nicholas might call Claire rude or loose—all that she was not. He might sully her good name—and how could she defend herself? Hearing ill reports, the Montforts might throw her from the house.”
How do behavioral expectations of gender and class influence or limit the characters’ actions?
- Marguerite, Auguste,and Damienne are allowed to bring whatever provisions and possessions they can with them into their exile. If you were in the same position, what items would you bring with you?
- Claire and Marguerite act as foil characters in the story. How do qualities of one woman amplify the presence or absence of this quality in the other? How do the two overcome their differences to forge a sisterly bond?
- When the characters struggle on the island, they witness the survival instincts of the birds and reflect on their own need to “kill to eat.” What ethical challenges do they face about their humanity versus survival needs?
- In what ways did Marguerite redefine herself when stripped of her societal status and material comforts?
- “I shook my head. ‘We won’t see each other ever.’ Even in my bitterness, I knew she had no choice but to work for the Montforts. Roberval had done this, denying me Claire. He had stolen our friendship, as he stole everything. But he won’t have my ruby, I thought, as I slipped my ring from my finger. ‘Remember me.’ I gave Claire my mother’s jewel.”
The exchanging and eventual loss of rings represent identity and personal bonds. When Marguerite loses Claire’s ring, she nearly loses herself. What approaches could she have used to hold onto her sense of self during this crisis?
Selected Reviews for Isola
(Use these selected Goodreads reviews to compare with your own experience of the book. Do you agree or disagree with the reviews?)
“3.5 stars. I stayed mostly engaged in this, which was kinda 4 or 5 books in one — not because of length, but because of new settings and arcs-within-an-arc. The story was creative with lots of tension, and I would have likely rated it half a star higher but I was left a little unsatisfied with the ending. Most readers should disregard that opinion though, because I’m ridiculous in my expectations for endings. The others in my book club all loved how it ended.”
“I don’t understand how this book has 4 stars. This was painful to get through because it was egregiously boring. It was so bad that I was getting pissed off trying to force myself to get through it. While it is based on the astonishing survival of Marguerite de la Roque, this book did not come close to doing this great tale justice. The plot was lacking and there is no depth to the characters.”
“My first favorite read of 2025! Isola is a sweeping historical fiction tale based on the real-life tale of Marguerite de La Rocque of 15th-century France. Allegra did a brilliant job breathing new life into Marguerite’s forgotten tale and I loved how historically accurate it is. I adored following Marguerite from a noble young lady to a strong and fierce survivor. Inspiring and emotionally charged, Isola is a story that I will not forget anytime soon!”
“A brooding, atmospheric survival story set in the sixteenth century, inspired by the true story of Marguerite de la Rocque. Her journey through isolation and resilience is told with a quiet intensity, drawing you deeper into the world. It’s a slow burn, but worth the wait. This would make such a great mini-series.”
What to Read Next
Isola was a Reese’s book club pick. If you like her choices, we have quite a few discussion guides for Reese’s books. A few of my favorites include Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, Our Missing Hearts and Yellowface. Each of those links goes to a discussion guide with a non-spoiler synopsis toward the top of the page.
The Great Alone, Kristin Hannah
The Great Alone tells the story of Leni Allbright and her desperate family trying to find a new beginning by moving to an almost isolated wilderness in Alaska. With key themes of deep mother daughter bonds, the rippling effects of trauma, and the nature of family and community.
Here’s our discussion guide for The Great Alone.
Disobedient, Elizabeth Fremantle
A story about a woman who discovers her husband’s secret life in the Caribbean following his unexpected death. The major themes of the story are heartbreak and loss, secrets and betrayal, and self-discovery and resilience.
Matrix, Lauren Groff
A story that fictionalizes the life of the 12th century poet, Marie de France. Once banished from the royal court, Marie becomes a prioress of an impoverished nunnery, and eventually turns it around. A novel that focuses on themes of feminist versus patriarchal values, politics and religion, female ambition and power, and the power of female creativity.
Here’s the discussion guide for Matrix.
Recent Guides for Historical Fiction
Isola Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide
Broken Country Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide
North Woods Book Club Questions and Discussion Guide
