Isola Reading Guide & Discussion Questions

Book Club Discussion Questions

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For supplemental discussion material see our Beyond the Book article, Queen Marguerite of Navarre and our BookBrowse Review of Isola.

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. Isola is inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine. If you could ask the real Marguerite one question, what would you ask?
2. "Everything we treasure has a price. And everything we have will slip away." Reflect on how this quote encapsulates the themes of loss and resilience in Marguerite's story. How does she cope with the continuous loss of her possessions and loved ones?
3. How does Marguerite's relationship with her guardian shape her journey and her perception of power and control? How does it affect her sense of identity and autonomy?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Dial Press Trade Paperbacks. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.