well this was superb.
I am a big fan of epistolary novels and really should seek out more as I think they give such a human insight into a character. This is the story of Sybil, a woman in her 70s who is a big, big letterwriter. Through her letters to her best friend, her neighbours, a potential romantic interest, her brother, a long lost relative and more we learn about the life she led, her loves, her regrets, her career, her passions, her loss.
Truly a joy from start to finish

I'm a sucker for something written in diary or letter form, so The Correspondent immediately appealed. The book follows the life of spiky septuagenarian Sybil as told in a series of letters to friends, family and other correspondents. You piece together the parts of her life through these missives. She comes across as opinionated, driven, cantankerous yet ultimately understanding and loving and caring in her own way. There's some moments of real tenderness too: the letter from Daan made me tear up. Evans created some great characters here; you almost think they are real. It is also refreshing to have an older protagonist that is still able to learn things about herself. A warm, witty celebration of later life. Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

Book Review: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Virginia Evans' The Correspondent is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant novel that explores the complexities of aging, relationships, and personal growth, all through the lens of letters written by an extraordinary woman, Sybil Van Antwerp. Fans of A Man Called Ove and 84 Charing Cross Road will find themselves equally charmed by this heartfelt and witty exploration of life, love, and the wisdom that comes with age.

The story is centered on Sybil, a seventy-three-year-old woman who begins her day with a ritual of writing letters—letters to her brother, to her best friend, and even to the president of a university she hopes to attend. Through these letters, Sybil’s sharp humor and hard-earned wisdom paint a portrait of a woman who has spent the majority of her life keeping people at arm’s length, all while trying to make sense of the world around her.

The heart of the novel lies in Sybil's reawakening when letters from someone from her past begin arriving, forcing her to confront mistakes and emotional distance that she had long ago buried. These letters—full of unanswered questions and old wounds—compel Sybil to reconsider the life she’s lived and the relationships she has pushed away. As she begins to reflect on her choices and the impact they've had on those she loves, readers are taken on a profound journey of self-discovery.

Evans’ writing is exquisite—each letter Sybil writes feels genuine and full of personality. It’s easy to feel connected to her, thanks to Evans’ ability to capture Sybil’s voice in a way that is both relatable and deeply moving. Sybil is a character who, despite her somewhat prickly exterior, is lovable and deeply human. Her wit, sharp observations, and underlying vulnerability make her a fascinating character to follow.

The Correspondent is also a quiet meditation on the passage of time. It explores the ways we change as we grow older, the lessons we learn, and the moments when we realize that it’s never too late to make amends or seek the love and connection we once thought impossible. Sybil’s journey is a reminder that, even in the autumn of life, there is always room for growth and transformation.

The novel is also full of beautiful moments of joy and heartbreak. Evans masterfully balances the humor of Sybil’s letters with the more poignant reflections on the choices she’s made, creating a reading experience that is as emotionally satisfying as it is thought-provoking. The depth of emotion in this novel will resonate with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.

If you’re a fan of literary fiction that offers both depth and warmth, The Correspondent is a must-read. Evans has created a deeply affecting story that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately feel grateful for the connections that shape our lives.

Rating: 5/5
This novel is a rare gem—a deeply touching, beautifully written story about second chances, growth, and the power of reflection. Fans of character-driven stories with a mix of humor and heart will find themselves swept away by The Correspondent.

Written mostly through letters or emails, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans unfurls slowly. Bit by bit we learn about Sybil, once-feisty lawyer, now retired but who remains active through her writing. She likes to maintain her relationships, make new ones. I liked how the story addresses different aspects of ageing and shows the trajectory of a woman who was once professionally well-known.

The format is unusual but at times it felt a bit confusing and I found it difficult to keep track of who's who.

Overall, an interesting read.

Sybil, a septuagenarian with a past career in law, and excellent letter writing habits, is the main character of The Correspondent.
Evans’ craft is exquisite - a book with letters can easily become boresome, clunky and unoriginal. The case we have here is the opposite of that. Sybil is a complex character with several good and negative traits and experiences. Plus, all the other correspondents have a distinct voice in this book. I was keen to get to know Rosalie, Theodore, Henrietta, Fiona, Harry, Bassam, Martinelli - if I keep counting, it will amount to all characters in this book!
The plot is very well structured and executed as well, Who would think a book with correspondence could have so much soul and substance?
Some smart narrative structure choices there and all letters have just the right words for the respective plot point/topic.
I am so glad to have read this book and cannot wait to see what Evans next comes up with.

The story of a woman who experiences great change in the winter of her years. You learn about Sybil solely through her correspondence with others. It is beautifully written. She is a memorable character who learns to forgive herself and others, admits to past failures and builds new relationships. It’s really a lovely book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher to read an advance copy.

There are very few novels about older people. The processes of ageing, an understanding of how that might play out, the joys and difficulties it can bring, the opportunities it offers, that you are still very much alive, are not in the consciousness of society. It's refreshing to read a novel which has this at its heart. I wish there were more. Age will come to us all, if we're lucky. Better that we have an idea of what that might look like. The Correspondent weaves together the poignancy, absurdity, difficulties, realisations and paradoxes of ageing in an engaging way. It is intelligent, humorous and sensitive. I enjoyed that it came in letter and email form. As someone who has loved communication in a written form for a lifetime it read well for me. That Sybil continued to learn and grow, while putting her life in order, making peace with her past and present was meaningful. I particularly enjoyed that she had been a powerful, insightful woman who made errors and did foolish things, or failed to understand how certain things worked. People of all ages are often more complex and nuanced than we give them credit for.

This is a really unusual format which does a great job of telling you about the protagonists life through her correspondence with a combination of mostly letter but also some emails both sent and received. Sybil has led an interesting life but it has been shadowed by grief and it was fascinating to see the impact this had not only on Sybil but others too. There’s quite a number of correspondents so I did occasionally lose track of who was who but overall I found it easy to follow, due to the format each section is relatively short so I found it very easy to pick up and put down. Sybil is quite an unusual character, not the easiest of people, sometimes she seemed quite prickly but once you got to the heart of her she really cared. I loved the character of Harry and how she seemed to understand him as there were similar personality traits there. There’s some great character development in this and some great background which all ties together well during the course of the book which manages to be both heartbreaking and uplifting as it tells the story of a life.

What a refreshing, emotional read. I love a book written in a different media format. The story is told in letters that will capture your heart. It’s funny at times and heartbreaking at others, and will certainly keep you thinking long afterwards.