Whitcoulls Recommends: Isola and The Monster of Harrods

The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Isola by Allegra Goodman. In the 16th century, Marguerite is born into great wealth but after being orphaned at the age of three a guardian, Roberval, is appointed, who over several years steals her entire fortune. Destitute, her only option is to rely on him for everything and when he takes her on an expedition to sea she falls in love with his servant. Incandescent with rage, Roberval abandons them on a remote, inhospitable island where they’re left to fight for survival. Based on actual historical events, this is extraordinary.

The Monster of Harrods by Alison Kervin. Turns out that Mohamed al Fayed was a monster and presided over a reign of terror during his ownership of Harrods. Scores of women were offended against and this offending was known by the Metropolitan Police, who colluded with him, and by parliamentarians and the Royal family - but no one ever acted and he went to his grave without justice being done. This is a very dark history of an amazing department store that many of us have loved for a long time.

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