Podcast Episode Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby Featuring Allegra Goodman Discussing "Isola: A Novel"

Episode Details:

• Title: Allegra Goodman, ISOLA: A Novel
• Release Date: February 5, 2025
• Host: Zibby Owens
• Guest: Allegra Goodman, Author of "Isola: A Novel"

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes back acclaimed author Allegra Goodman to discuss her latest work, Isola: A Novel. Goodman, known for her six novels and two short story collections, has previously graced the podcast with her presence when discussing her bestseller, Sam. Her work has been featured in esteemed publications such as The New Yorker and included in prestigious anthologies like the O. Henry Awards and Best American Short Stories (00:44).

Premise of "Isola"

Goodman introduces Isola as a historical novel inspired by the true story of Marguerite, a young French noblewoman who sails to the New World in 1544 and becomes marooned on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. She explains that while there are two conflicting contemporary accounts of Marguerite’s fate, much of her life on the island remains a mystery, providing ample creative space to explore and imagine her experiences (01:32).

Origin of the Idea

Goodman shares a personal anecdote about the inception of Isola. During a road trip from Massachusetts to Canada with her four children, she encountered a brief mention of Marguerite in a stack of children's books about Canadian history. Despite her children’s disinterest, Goodman, sleep-deprived from nursing her newborn, found the story captivating. She recounts, “I stumbled upon this passage about this young woman, Marguerite, who sailed to the New World and was marooned” (02:43). This fleeting mention ignited her imagination, leading her to envision a fuller narrative around Marguerite’s ordeal.

Writing Process and Discovering Marguerite’s Voice

Goodman delves into her writing process, highlighting the challenges of crafting a first-person narrative for a historical figure. Initially, she struggled to find the right voice, experimenting with numerous iterations of the opening sentence. Her breakthrough came when she penned, “I never knew my mother. She died the night that I was born. So we passed each other in the dark” (02:07), which resonated deeply as Marguerite’s authentic voice emerged. This moment was pivotal, granting Goodman the confidence to proceed with the novel as if she were transcribing Marguerite’s spoken story (02:07).

Themes of Isolation and Survival

A central theme in Isola is the exploration of isolation and survival. Goodman discusses how Marguerite’s experience of being stranded leads to profound emotional and psychological challenges. She reflects on universal human emotions such as love, loss, and the instinct to endure, stating, “These are things that transcend time. It’s not like people living back then didn’t feel love and loss and all the feelings” (07:28). Goodman emphasizes that despite the historical setting, the emotional landscape remains relatable, bridging centuries through shared human experiences.

Connecting Historical and Contemporary Fiction

Goodman explains how writing Isola has influenced her approach to both historical and contemporary fiction. Initially intimidated by the extensive research required for a historical novel, Goodman now feels more confident and enjoys the process of immersing herself in different eras. She muses, “I think I’ve gotten over that hump of just being completely intimidated” (16:41). Additionally, she highlights the interconnectedness of all novels, asserting, “All novels are historical novels… if it happened last week, that's history” (17:02), thereby blurring the lines between past and present storytelling.

Comparing "Sam" and "Isola"

Goodman draws parallels between her novels Sam and Isola, noting that both protagonists are survivors but in vastly different contexts. While Sam is set in a contemporary environment and focuses on modern-day challenges, Isola transports readers to the 16th century, highlighting survival in a harsh, isolated setting. This comparison underscores Goodman’s versatility in exploring human resilience across different time periods (14:02).

Upcoming Projects

Looking ahead, Goodman reveals her plans for an upcoming contemporary novel centered around a Jewish American family, slated for publication in 2026. This new work continues her exploration of Jewish life and family dynamics, presented through interlocked short stories spanning three generations. Although the title remains a work in progress, Goodman expresses excitement about delving into modern Jewish experiences and the complexities of contemporary family life (21:37).

Relationship with Her Children

Goodman shares heartwarming insights into how her writing intersects with her family life. Her children, ranging from an economist fascinated by publishing to a daughter working in London, engage with her work in various ways. “My oldest son has read the book and loved it,” she notes, highlighting the personal connections fostered through her storytelling. Her daughter, poised to become her press agent in London, adds a delightful layer of familial collaboration (19:54).

Engaging with Readers Through Q&A Videos

Zibby praises Goodman’s initiative to create Q&A short videos on social media, which stemmed from her college visits where time constraints often limited direct interactions. Goodman explains that these videos allow her to answer readers’ and students’ questions about literature and the writing craft, providing a valuable resource for her audience. She enjoys this form of engagement, describing it as a way to demystify the writing process (20:09).

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Zibby Owens expresses her enthusiasm for Isola and Goodman’s future projects. Goodman reciprocates the excitement, thanking Zibby for the opportunity to discuss her work. The conversation underscores the deep connection between authors and their characters, as well as the enduring nature of human emotions across time.*

Notable Quotes

• Allegra Goodman: “I just had the confidence to keep going as if she was telling me the story and I was transcribing it” (02:07).
• Allegra Goodman: “These are things that transcend time. It’s not like people living back then didn’t feel love and loss and all the feelings” (07:28).
• Allegra Goodman: “All novels are historical novels… if it happened last week, that's history” (17:02).

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Allegra Goodman’s creative process, her exploration of historical and contemporary themes, and the personal experiences that shape her storytelling. Listeners gain valuable insights into the meticulous research and emotional depth that underpin Isola, as well as Goodman’s continued commitment to crafting meaningful narratives that resonate across generations.

For more information about Allegra Goodman's work and upcoming projects, visit her official website and follow Totally Booked with Zibby on Instagram at @zibbyowens.