Big Books of 2026

Ask the Author: Allegra Goodman

“Hello Good Readers! I'd be happy to answer your questions about writing, about my books, and about my new novel, ISOLA.” Allegra Goodman

Answered Questions (9)

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Hi Allegra, I really enjoyed your writing, especially the concept of ( Sam ) . Have you ever thought about visually representing your characters or scenes? I am an Illustrator and thought I'd ask if that's something you'd ever consider.
Allegra Goodman I'm so happy you enjoyed "Sam!" It would be so interesting to do an illustrated book. I'd have to get my publisher to agree, though. :) I do wish there were more illustrated books for grownups. My favorite edition of "Moby Dick" is designed with woodcuts by Barry Moser . . . Thanks for writing! As an artist you might find my new novel, "Isola" interesting.
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The ending of Isola leaves the possibility of a sequel. Any thoughts on that?
Allegra Goodman I love that you might be interested in hearing about Marguerite's future life. I usually don't write sequels, and I think in this case I've said what I have to say about Marguerite--but I like to imagine her teaching happily and telling amazing stories to her wide-eyed students, some rich and some on scholarship at the school she founds with Claire and Madame D'Artois. Thank you so much for reading and for your question.
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REGARDING "ISOLA", WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE ACTUAL WOMAN THAT YOU BASED THE NOVEL ON? IS THERE ANYPLACE ONLINE WHERE I CAN READ ABOUT HER AND WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN HER LIFE?
Allegra Goodman Hi Jeffrey! Yes, the name of the woman is Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval. You can read a bit more about her in my Author's Note and online she has her own Wikipedia entry. Another good source online is the Dictionary of Canadian Biography.
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If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Allegra Goodman 7 year old me: The Land of Oz
10 year old me: Neverland
12 year old me: Earthsea
16 year old me: Middlemarch
20 year old me: Mansfield Park
30 year old me: The Land of Oz where I returned to travel with my children
40 year old me: Lilliput, Brobdingnag, Laputa, Luggnagg, Glubbdubdrib, and the Land of the Houyhnhnms, where I returned to travel with my children
50 year old me: Meryton, where I returned to travel with my daughter
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What books are on your summer reading list this year?
Allegra Goodman Books I want to finish this summer:

Mozart: the Reign of Love" --Jan Swafford
"The Blessing and the Curse: The Jewish People and Their Books in the Twentieth Century"--Adam Kirsch
"Rescuing Socrates"--Roosevelt Mantos
"Hubbub: Filth, Noise, & Stench in Early Modern England"--Emily Cockayne

Novels I want to read:

"The Candy House" --Jennifer Egan
"Beautiful World, Where Are You?" --Sally Rooney
"Free Love" --Tessa Hadley

Book I want to reread!
"John Keats: the Making of a Poet" --Aileen Ward
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What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Allegra Goodman The best thing about being a writer is that you get to create new worlds--and live new lives. A novelist performs every part, sets the scene, controls the lights, mixes the sound, and conjures all the costumes too. It's quite amazing to create theater out of thin air. But I don't do it alone. I create along with the reader. You.
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Hello Mrs. Goodman. My question is about The Other Side of the Island. (I know, you published it 15 years ago, but it's still relevant today. By the way, great book!) Here's the question: is there anyone who has been/is interested in adapting the novel into a film? Just wondering because as an amateur screenwriter, I'd love to try to adapt it! Thank you so much.
Allegra Goodman Hello there! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! There is no one currently adapting the book. If you are interested, the best course would be to contact my agent Julie Barer at The Book Group to find out about rights.
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Allegra Goodman Writer's block means difficulty writing. Some people think (despairingly) that they can't write because they have nothing to say, or because they aren't "good enough." I prefer to think of writer's block as growing pains. I've definitely experienced times when I just didn't have it in me to write another sentence--and looking back, I see that those times came when I was confused or uncertain. I had to figure out what to do next. In other words, I had to grow--to stop writing and learn something new. You remember the aches and pains you had when you were shooting up as a kid. Writer's block is like that too. Don't think of it as a malady. Think of it as sign of a growth spurt. Don't force yourself to write through it. Stop writing for a day or a week or even a month and read and think instead. Then try again after this respite, and see what happens.
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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
Allegra Goodman My best advice is to watch, listen, and read. Watch the people around you, observe the weather, be that person, on whom nothing is lost. Listen to the way people talk; really listen to their voices so that you can write dialog that sounds real. Read widely--not just in your own genre but in others. Fall in love with your public library. Read poetry, read history, read published diaries and letters. Read books old and new.
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