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A Novel
by Virginia Evans
Book Reviewed by:Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as "a cause for celebration"—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.
"Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle... . Isn't there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one's life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?"
Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.
Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.
Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.
Sybil Van Antwerp's life of letters might be "a very small thing," but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.
Excerpt
The Correspondent
Felix Stone
7 Rue de la Papillon
84211 Gordes
FRANCE
June 2, 2012
Felix, my dear brother,
Thank you for the birthday card, the fountain pen, and the book, which I started the day it arrived (Thursday) and finished today. It was exactly as you described. Unlikely and electric, inventive, and right up my alley. Seventy-three feels the same as seventy-two for what it's worth, arthritis, constipation, and trouble sleeping, and I've decided to stop dyeing my hair. I don't care much for my birthday, as you know, though it's always nice of you to acknowledge it. Trudy and Millie of course came for appetizers and cards. The children both contacted me—Bruce had a strawberry tart delivered from a bakery (he'll be up next weekend to clean out my gutters anyway), and it was awful, so I threw it out. Probably cost him a fortune. Fiona called from London. She said she won't come home again until Christmas because work is keeping her jumping and now she is designing something ...
Women Prize for Fiction longlist 2026
Congratulations to the sweetheart debut novel The Correspondent ** by Virginia Evans** now crowned winner of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026 Shortlist: The Correspondent ** by Virginia Evans (Winner)**: A moving and uplifting debut about a 73-year-old woman named Sybil who reflects on her life...
-Anne_Glasgow
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (6/4/2026)
Kim, I just finished reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. This book has been on my reserve list at the library for months. This is the story of a woman in her later years continuing to write letters to frie...
-Kassapa
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (5/14/2026)
...listening to Lolita (for an online book group), narrated by Jeremy Irons. He's perfect for the role of creepy HH. The third book I have on the go is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. It's a delightful read, and when Anna K. and Lolita feel too heavy, it's fun to escape to this wonderful epistolary delight.
-Jennie_Reece
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (4/16/2026)
I am reading the Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I was intrigued as I am a letter writer and enjoy doing so. Never thought it told more about me than the people I write to! Very enjoyable.
-Lin_Z
2026 first quarter besties
...Dray MAD HONEY by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Boylan MORE OR LESS MADDY by Lisa Genova THE FAITH CLUB by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, & Priscilla Warner THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS by Annie Hartnett THE LION WOMEN OF TEHRAN by Marjan Kamali MOTHER MARY COMES TO ME by Arundhati Roy HALF OF A YELLOW SUN b...
-Marie_Webb
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (2/26/2026)
I finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, it was just for my own enjoyment. For one of my bookclubs I read Artifice by Sharon Cameron. Both books were good. I received my copy of Happy Land...
-Paula_Walters
Jane’s publicist tells her, “Books don’t have to be good to sell. They just need a catchy hook, a good cover, and the most important part – visibility. Once you and your book cover are everywhere, people will buy it.” Do you think this is true?
...do try to look at reviews from the sources I trust before purchasing a book. I do love that sometimes the public pushes a book through. For example, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and now Theo of Golden by Allen Levi became successful because of word of mouth not the publisher or book influencers.
-Dee_Driscole
If you learn in advance that a book you're thinking of reading will likely make you cry, do you still pick it up or do you avoid it?
...up at a good book. However, I have been avoiding books that are known to be really sad or depressing. Last book that made me cry (but not "ugly cry")…The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.
-Gabi_J
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (1/15/2026)
I am reading "New and Selected Poems" by Marie Howe. It won the Pulitzer, and I read the winner every year, even though I struggle with poetry. It is a little uneven, but some of them are very deep. I was very pleased with "The Correspondent" last week and cannot wait to see what else Virginia Ev...
-Anthony_Conty
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (1/1/2026)
I finished The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans, which I really enjoyed. What I liked most about the book was that there was a lot of space for me to get a little frustrated with the main character and her choices at times. It didn't make me want to give up on the book, but pulled me through the ...
-Jessica_V
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (12/25/2025)
I'm a brand new member and looking forward to interacting with the community. I just picked up The Correspondent by Virginia Evans based on member reviews.
-Jessica_V
Ask the Author mug winners
Here are the latest BookBrowse mug winners for the questions to our visiting authors: Eve J. Chung ( https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/4821/daughters-of-shandong Daughters of Shandong ): @Jorene_J Princess Joy L. Perry ( https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm...
-kim.kovacs
BookBrowsers Ask Virginia Evans, author of The Correspondent
Awesome, Virginia! We'll be looking out for it. Thank you so much for visiting with us, you've been a wonderful guest. Our best wishes for your future novel; may it be an even bigger hit than The Correspondent. Happy holidays to you and yours!
-kim.kovacs
Virginia Evans, author of The Correspondent, visiting next week!
Hi Cynthia - I'll open the conversation early Monday morning, at which point people are welcome to post questions any time for the next three days. Virginia will log in and answer the questions from our members as her time permits, although she's committed to checking in at least once a day. When...
-kim.kovacs
What’s your favorite epistolary novel?
What's your favorite epistolary novel*? (* I feel like I should add, "besides The Correspondent by Virginia Evans," since that one's gotten so much buzz lately, LOL.)
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (10/16/2025)
I just started reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and so far it's quite enjoyable and references many places in the Mid-Atlantic region that I'm very familiar with.
-Joyce_Montague
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (10/09/2025)
I finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein. I really liked both of them. I just started When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips because I'm craving s...
-Cheri_Mcelroy
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (10-02-2025)
I just started The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Lots of buzz about this one and think I will very much enjoy it! Also in the last quarter of Middlemarch for a buddy read, which made a new friend f...
-Linda_S2
The Correspondent
@Roberta_Winchester Sorry about that - it's Virginia Evans.
-kim.kovacs
Anyone read WhaleFall by Daniel Kraus (2023)?
OK, just bought Whalefall by Daniel Kraus. If I have time, I'll read it after The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. I have a feeling that Angel Down is very different than Whalefall , so approach that one with caution. Angel Down is set in WWI, and if you've read...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? And what did you think of last week’s books? (09-11-2025)
...of y'all here at the Community Forum, I'm reading https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/23020/the-correspondent The Correspondent by Virginia Evans now. I've got a few days before I have to start my next review book (Mary Roach's newest, https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine...
-kim.kovacs
What are you reading this week? (7/10/2025)
I recently started reading The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. It's very smartly written and I'm enjoying it immensely! From the inside flap: "Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters re...
-Laurie_M
What are you reading this week? (6/5/2025)
Have you read The Correspondent by Virginia Evans yet? I think you'd love it!
-Evonne_Benedict
What are you reading this week? (5/15/2025)
I just finished The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and it is wonderful! This novel in letters follows the life of elderly Sybil Van Antwerp as she tries to make sense of her past, and navigate her fut...
-Evonne_Benedict
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BookBrowse Awards
2025
Women's Prize
2026
The plot of The Correspondent consists of many small narrative arcs that play out simultaneously... We gain an understanding of Sybil not only through her words but through the different tones she uses to address her correspondents. The Correspondent deal with aspects of life as wide-ranging and complex as aging, adoption, grief, and guilt. Sybil's letters address such topics obliquely rather than head on; readers pick up on clues scattered throughout the letters as a detective might, reading between the lines...continued
Full Review
(760 words)
(Reviewed by Kim Kovacs).
Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left
The circus of beautifully drawn characters, who receive and respond to Sybil's letters, is vibrant and rich. Sybil has survived trauma, grief, and lost love. She keeps her secrets close and edits her pain. The letters are so deliciously crafted, Sybil's life itself becomes a work of art. Florence Knapp, author of The Names
Both serious and uplifting, The Correspondent shows us what a glorious thing growing older can be.Virginia Evans' debut novel, The Correspondent, features ardent letter-writer Sybil Van Antwerp, who has just turned 73 when the novel opens. Through her correspondence, we learn about many aspects of Sybil's rich life, including a growing attachment to a man of her acquaintance, with whom she eventually finds late-life love and companionship.
Popular culture, especially in the United States, tends to be geared towards youth, so it might surprise readers to learn that there have been a number of well-regarded novels published in recent years that celebrate older adults—and the fact that it's never too late to fall in love.
Perhaps the most well-known books in this category are those by Elizabeth Strout, especially her ...
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If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins
Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!
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