Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent is a story told through a series of emails and letters that the protagonist sends and receives from different individuals. As an avid letter and postcard writer, I really appreciated that this book is in an unconventional format. However, because of the way the letters are written and the protagonist doesn’t answer them in order received (or sometimes just outright ignores them!), it can be a little difficult to follow. With the way the letters are organized, it was also difficult to understand what was happening in the story.

Sybil, the main character, is also a little old lady with somewhat outdated views, so she also wasn’t the most likeable character. All in all, an okay read but it is too long to hold my attention.

The letter writing part of the story was fine and engaging enough to read by themselves.

Thank you, NetGalley and Crown Publishing for providing a complimentary eARC for review.

This was a wonderful delightful moving read. A unique novel told through letters and occasional emails. Sybil was an extraordinary character in her 70s full of thoughts and opinions.Adding to the joy of this book she is an avid reader who writes well known authors letters.I will be recommending this excellent novel to all my reader friends.#netgalley #crown

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was a moving tale told in a unique format.

I tore through this book in a single day, staying up way past my bedtime to finish it. I can't tell you the last time that happened to me, but it's been years. I think the fact that this was a story told solely by a compilation of letters made it move faster than a typical novel. Each letter was so short, that I ended up reading *just one more* until I found myself at the end.

I felt the main character, Sybil, was relatable and very human, complete with both admirable and flawed characteristics. Her motivations are understandable. Sometimes in life, there are tragedies that you just don't ever get over or make peace with. Sybil does eventually find that peace, but it takes her decades to get there, and she does ultimately find a mostly happy-ever-after.

4.5/5 stars. I really enjoyed this format, as it was something different from the usual. The story was poignant and touching, without absolutely devastating you emotionally.

Thank you to NetGalley, Virginia Evans, and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC. All opinions reflected are my own.

Thank you to #netgalley and to #Crown for the opportunity to read and review this gorgeous debut epistolary novel by Virginia Evans. She has woven an amazing cast of characters and interconnecting storylines -- with her main character, 70-something Sybil Van Antwerp, as its centerpiece. Sybil is a somewhat stoic and orderly woman with a complicated and unresolved past (and present for that matter) who lives much of her retired and somewhat solitary life writing letters. The entirety of the book is informed via these letters and emails that criss-cross back and forth between family members, former coworkers/work associations, respected RL writers, and strangers who become friends.

This is a tough genre to pull off for many writers, but Virginia Evans nails it beautifully. With letters spanning around a decade (but referencing decades earlier), the reader develops a deeper understanding of (and empathy) for Sybil and what her life has entailed. The book is very much about choices (including regrets) and one universal grief that we can all relate to--there are NO do-overs. There are no "parallel lives" and some past situations feel nearly impossible to forgive. Evans' protagonist is presented as a very human being -- she is not inherently likable at times and we see, firsthand, that many of the decisions she has made throughout her life have been self-serving and lacking compassion and empathy. We get to witness her increasing self-awareness as she gets older and begins to make important connections (with other people and with herself). At the same time her eyesight (crucial to her reading and letter-writing lifestyle) is beginning to degenerate due to a hereditary ocular condition.

Without giving away any of the major plot points or characters, I can say that this is a wonderfully self-aware novel that feels truly human. The characters, presented via letters, feel very real and relatable. And, most importantly, we can see the consequences (for better and worse) of the choices we make. Loved it and BIG congrats to Virginia Evans. Such a great debut!

The Correspondent gives us a portrait of Sybil Van Antwerp, a 73-year-old woman who has long relied on letters to make sense of her world. Retired from a distinguished career in law, divorced, and now navigating the quiet solitude of her years, Sybil's life has settled into a reliable rhythm. Each morning, she writes letters to everyone from her brother and best friend to authors she admires, as well as an adoring neighbor, a troubled teen, and individuals who can never quite meet her demands. These letters are not just communication—they are Sybil's way of processing the past, connecting with the present, and sometimes, resisting the future. Through these letters we get a subtle and tender exploration of Sybil's life, her passions, her regrets, and her grief.

The format of this novel allows Evans to create a narrative that feels intimate, like reading someone’s private thoughts, while also providing a vehicle to explore universal themes of aging, loneliness, and the desire for connection.

While slower paced and not particularly plot-heavy, The Correspondent is undeniably a thoughtful meditation on the passage of time and the ways in which we seek meaning and redemption. Sybil’s journey is one of gradual transformation that lingers with you—a bittersweet reflection on how we make sense of our lives and the connections we maintain through the written word.

ARC provided by NetGalley

The book was amazing. I loved the format and how the stories are told through letters written from various perspectives and different characters. By the end I was so invested in Sybil Van Antwerp life I couldn’t stop reading!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

The Correspondent is a beautifully subtle exploration of life, loss, and change told through the letters of Sybil Van Antwerp, a 73-year-old woman navigating her golden years. As a retired lawyer, mother, and grandmother, Sybil’s days are punctuated by writing letters to friends, to family, to authors she admires, and even to the president of her university. Her letters serve as both an anchor and a lens for making sense of her world.

What sets this novel apart is its unique structure, unfolding through these personal correspondences. It’s a slow burn, but one that captures the depth of Sybil’s internal life and the pain of long-buried memories. When letters from the past begin to resurface, Sybil is forced to confront an emotional chapter she thought she had long left behind.

The Correspondentis a gem, both heartfelt and introspective, with moments of humor and warmth. At times, the pacing felt slow, but the novel’s thoughtful prose and unique narrative style make it a compelling read. I found myself torn between a 3 and a 4 rating, landing somewhere in the middle with a solid 3.5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown for providing me with the opportunity to read this. The book will be available in May 2025. It’s a story for anyone who believes in the power of letters, the passage of time, and the possibility of unexpected change.

As someone who has always loved both writing letters and reading books, this novel struck a chord. The epistolary format was extremely well done. While at the start Sybil is full of regret and essentially ready to die, as her story progresses, she discovers reasons to live. A unique, gem of a book.

The Correspondent by Vivian Evans is a wonderful character-driven epistolary debut.

Sybil is in her 70’s, and for the most part she is alone and going blind slowly. She a bit of a curmudgeon, but young or old, that’s just her personality..The story of Sybil’s life is told through letters and emails she sends and receives. There are many subplots, but they are not hard to follow pr connect.

One facet I really enjoyed in this book is that Sybil is a reader and she often writes authors. There are many good authors and books mentioned throughout. I felt the book had depth, and it was the perfect length. This one will go on my recommendation shelf..

Content does contain grief, especially concerning child loss.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this amazing ARC.

I really liked that this book is told through letters. I came to love Sybil and I liked learning about her family.
I liked learning about her past and how it led to where she is now. I liked her family and the relationships she has with her neighbors.
We see her connect and gain forgiveness from a client who she had wronged.
A lovely read.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

As a lover of curmudgeon based books, as well as letter writing, I looked forward to this novel. Sybil was both charming and a bit horrific - reminded me of a difficult family member who sometimes has no boundaries in sharing their judgement/opinion, so that aspect was a bit tough to read, but overall I enjoyed the humor and heart of this book and will definitely pick up this author's work in the future.

From GoodReads:

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown for an E-ARC of this book set to publish in May.

This book touched my soul quite frankly. I am a physiotherapist and I have a PhD in geriatric rehab and so have spent my career growing close to older adults and this book so eloquently spoke to some of the trials and tribulations that are so real after living a long life.

This quote hit me:
“Oh that we could have the wisdom of age earlier!”

This book truly reflected on the complicated weight of grief and missed experiences. Sybil’s life was slowly unearthed through a series of letters that spoke right to her heart.

Another quote from the book I just loved and really speaks to the written word:
“It takes patience to say exactly what one means, to think of the right word”

Overall, this book was beautiful. I really enjoyed it and am so excited for others to be able to read this beautiful work

This character study is presented entirely through letters. Sent in 2012, Sybil's days seem filled with writing to not just friends, family and acquaintances, but authors as well. Sybil comes alive through her cheeky, opinionated letters. Unfortunately, the style and narrative did not hold my interest, and I put it down at 10% completed because I had trouble keeping the recipients and events untangled in my brain. I can see how the book holds appeal for fans of epistolary novels and literary fiction, because of all the allusions throughout.

I loved this epistolary style novel. We never meet the MC directly, but rather the reader gets to know her through the letters she writes and sometimes receives. The MC ponders her life, reflects on old wrongs/hurts, and tries to mend fences all the while contending with a degenerative eye condition. The format is charming, and engaging. I highly recommend this book!

While this story did have some great points, what I mostly felt was sad. This is the story of a woman who mostly seems to think about herself, and while she does change over the course of the years she is writing these letters, it felt to me like Sybil was one of those older people who are too set in their ways, and refuse to change with the world around them. The ones who say what they want even if it's rude, who are racist but possibly slightly apologetic about it, and who will help friends but also want to criticize them for their problems. The book was a fast read and it wasn't all bad, but I've spent too much time around people just like Sybil to want to hang around with her.

Virginia Evans' The Correspondent is a beautiful and heartfelt novel, told through a series of letters, that explores the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, a woman with a strong will and a lifetime of stories to share. Sybil isn't always the easiest person to like, but watching her grow and find redemption through her reflections makes her feel so real and relatable. The relationships in this book, especially between Sybil and her dear friend, are written with such honesty that it truly touched me. Evans' writing captures the heart and mind, and the letter format brings a special, intimate feeling to the story. I would certainly recommend it to anyone who appreciates thoughtful, character-driven novels.

What a warm, unexpected, and delightful book. I just finished, and wish I could go back and discover it all over again. It’s a collection of letters that tells the story of one woman’s significant career, family, heartbreaks, and losses, along with the surprising ways she finds to keep moving forward in her life. So thought provoking, all the ways we look fine and pulled together on the inside, easy to categorize, and yet inside we are so complex. It’s a wonder. I’m at a loss for how to describe this book without giving too much away, so I’ll let it be enough to say that I am so very glad to have read it, and I look forward to more from this author. Highly, highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for me to review.

What a delightful book! Told through a series of sometimes serious and sometimes quirky letter and email correspondence, the reader, is completely drawn into septuagenarian Sybil Van Antwerp's world. I must confess that while I didn't find Sybil likable at first, I found the book remarkable. There other cast of characters are realistic, interesting, wonderful, and fallible. By the end of the story, I could say the same about the sometimes rude, often eccentric Sybil. The redemptive arc is unexpected and well crafted. I found this story stayed with me long after I set the book down. I highly recommend The Correspondent by author Virginia Evans to women readers, aged 40 plus who enjoy a quick yet thoughtful read with realistic characters and a surprise twist.

I very rarely give a book 5 stars.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was a solid 5 star read for me.

I will admit, when I realized the format of the entire book was letters (with a few emails thrown in),
I was dubious. A lifetime of a story coming together through letter writing to various people?
I was sure this was going to be a very quick DNF for me.

I could not have been more wrong!

Sybil. Our Correspondent.
Sybil is a strong, opinionated, stubborn, headstrong, independent woman.
She is also in the "Winter" of her life, looking back at life-changing events.
Here and there, we get a hint of one event that occurred when she was a young wife/mother that molded her personality and some of her relationships for the rest of her life.

I loved Sybil.
Brazen. Bold. Opinionated. Strong.
I spent most of the book wishing I could be more like Sybil.

Other times I thought, "I'm glad I'm not like Sybil!"

Through reading the letters that Sybil is currently writing, we get a sense of her life as an older woman, facing new challenges of aging.

She writes to anyone and everyone she feels the need to communicate with. For whatever reason.
I absolutely adored the correspondence with authors and famous Hollywood personalities.
Sybil knew no limits to her expectation of not only having her letter received and read, but also fully expected a response. And I'll be darned if she didn't receive them.

Through her letter writing, we also see Sybil's turmoil.
We see this stubborn, headstrong woman soften.
We see her dig deep into herself for reflection.
We get to experience a remarkable change in her heart, after a lifetime of a self-confessed "hardness".

I think my favorite letter exchange was with her best friend.
Those letters were the epitome of what a real friendship should be.
Two women able to tell it like it is; "tell each other off", and come out stronger than ever.

I loved this feisty woman.
I am thrilled to have been privy to a lifetime of her correspondence.
The side stories of family, and romance at an advanced age, were just heart warming.

This one is in my top 5 lifetime favorite stories; and I've read a lot of books in my 61 years.

I recommend this book at anyone who just wants to settle in with a fabulous story, told in a very unique way.
The depth of the characters and overall story were just so enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This one was a winner!
I can't wait to see more of what this author can weave!

I would never have expected to be so blown away by a novel told in letters! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and could not put it down! You will laugh, you will cry, you will commiserate, and there are also moments that are so sweet and heartwarming you will want to start writing letters at once!