Based on a piece of history, orphaned Marguerite de la Rocque, in 1531 France, is betrayed by her guardian, Jean Francois de la Rocque de Roberval, who sells her inheritance and takes her on an expedition to New France. Aboard the ship, Marguerite falls in love with the secretary, and their secret romance is discovered by Roberval, who punishes them including Marguerite's maid by marooning them on a remote island. As the harsh winter sets in, they struggle to survive. Soon, Marguerite is the only survivor, forced to confront her despair and uncover a strength she never knew she had.
I love stories that take a piece of history and imagine what it could have been like, and Isola by Allegra Goodman does just that in an incredible way. This novel reimagines a real historical event, and I was in awe of how Goodman brought it to life. It's a story of survival, and the details she weaves into the narrative are both thoughtful and moving. The adventure is gripping, and her lyrical writing pulls you in from the first page. The emotional depth of the characters made me connect with their journey on a deeper level, and it was easy to see why it’s a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. Isola is a heart-filled, unforgettable read that I couldn't put down.
If you liked Isola, you might also like:
A servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement in the wilderness. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her.
In 1938, a dead whale washes ashore on a remote Welsh
island, sparking both dread and curiosity in Manod, a young woman trapped in a
life of duty to her family. Yearning to escape the island's harsh existence,
Manod sees hope in the arrival of two English ethnographers studying the island
culture. As she becomes drawn to them, she experiences a sensual awakening, yet
grapples with her community being misrepresented. Whale Fall explores how
personal ambitions clash with community bonds and the consequences of
confronting an outside world encroaching on their way of life.
BWW
No comments:
Post a Comment