Praying for Survival

Isola by Allegra Goodman is historical fiction set in France during the 1500s.

Marguerite lost both parents at a young age, and was left with a chateau and land. She stays there long enough to build a friendship with her teacher and her daughter. However, when her guardian/uncle Roberval sells her property, she is forced to live at his residence. The only familiar she has is her nursemaid/caregiver who vows to stay with her no matter what.

Roberval is a cruel guardian. He gives lessons as a way to seem caring, but is also prone to violence as a means of control. His desire for money and favor with the king prompts him to voyage to new land in Canada. Marguerite is forced to go with him.

During the journey, Marguerite falls in love with Roberval’s secretary. Their punishment is to be banished to a remote island. The three of them must learn to survive the harsh elements, lack of food and wild animals. Not all will survive. During this time, Marguerite must get through her darkest days to figure out her place in the world.

Spoiler – After two years, Marguerite is able to return home to share her story. She is forever changed and hopes to use her experience as a means of educating females of all classes.

While this story started a bit slowly for me, I became intensely interested in the fate of Marguerite and her companions. I didn’t realize the story was based on an actual person until reading the author’s note at the end. This really made it so much more impactful. It’s a story of survival, grit, love/loss, nature’s power, religion and learning about oneself.