What a beautifully written, emotionally absorbing surprise of a novel! I loved it and did not want to put it down, totally immersed in Sybil’s world, as told through correspondence with friends, strangers, and relatives. Sybil is in her ‘70’s, and has been a wife, mother, lawyer, clerk for a judge; the letters reveal her innermost thoughts and secrets, with warmth, intelligence, and many references to authors and books. Sybil knows she is losing her sight, and is worried because she has always written letters at all stages of her life, finding it the easiest way to express herself. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thanks to NetGalley for this wonderful ARC.

Perfection.

An epistolary novel where we read the mostly letters (and a few emails) between Sybil and those in her life. These people are her children, her ex-husband, her best friend, her friendly neighbor down the road, the tech company employee, etc. We learn all about her life, past, current, and future as Sybil pens her desires, concerns, hopes, and dreams on letters to different people. You see the goodness in Sybil and also the pain that Sybil carries, in an intimate way.

This was just so beautifully done. An easy recommendation for all my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the gifted e-arc of this book.

I love epistolary novels and this was a triumph. I would compare this to France’s and Bernard for its portrayal of complex characters and relationships both romantic and platonic. Sybil was a joyful main character and her letters to authors and celebrities were a delight

The Correspondent was a good enough book maybe just not for me. I had a difficult time staying engaged with this. Overall, I am not sure how it got 5 stars, but I believe they came from much more discerning readers than myself.

Epistolary novels have never been my favorite, and I was hesitant to read this. However, I saw a ton of people proclaim it as the best book they read that month, and I decided to give it a chance. I am so glad I did!

Sybil loves to write letters and communicates with a variety of people. In the form of these letters, the reader discovers a lot about Sybil's life, and these discoveries help the reader gain a deep understanding of her trauma, grief, and joys.

It is impossible to fully describe this novel because the joy of it is unravelling a life, one letter at a time. I laughed, I cried, I reflected on my own life and my impact on others. I highly recommend this to others and think it would be an amazing book club selection that would lead to deep discussions.

Thank you to Crown Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The Correspondent is such a dear little book. I love well-done epistolary novels, as they slowly bring us into the writer's world. At first glance, Sybil Van Antwerp seems a bit of a prickly character, and maybe a little self righteous. But as we get to know her through her letters, this image softens and I begin to feel admiration and liking for this interesting character. Sybil is 71 when the book starts, and she is becoming introspective over some of the incidents in her past. She is estranged from her daughter and this pains her.

The beginning was a little slow, because at first you have no concept of who this person is. But as the story blossoms and grows, I became invested in Sybil's life and in her wonderful letters.

Letter writing is such a lost art. In the late 1980s my husband and I lived in India and the only good way I could communicate with my family wa letters, as we had no phone. When my mother's letters would appear at my door after a three-week journey across the ocean, it was indeed a happy day! Letters bring a certain formality and importance to what is said. Sybil felt most comfortable talking to both family, friends, and total strangers in the form of letters.

I found this novel to be utterly charming and a breath of fresh air. Let's bring back letter writing! To hell with email!

I listened to an audiobook version of this novel, and it was excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley, Virginia Evans, and Crown Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Seemed like something my mom would have read in 1988 . Couldn't get past the fact that it felt like a shoehorn of a 20th century story into a 21st century world. And the kid wasn't believable.

I think this is likely a decent book, but I was really struggling to feel invested. The format is interesting and well done, but I prefer books to be in a traditional format. But mostly I didn’t like the main character. She seemed a bit abrasive, and that made it difficult to want to keep reading, so I’m quitting at 20%.

Virginia Evans' debut novel, The Correspondent, offers a poignant exploration of a woman's life through the intimate lens of her letters. Told entirely through correspondence—letters, emails, and notes—the narrative unveils the complexities of Sybil Van Antwerp, a seventy-three-year-old retired lawyer, mother, grandmother, and avid gardener. Her life, rich in experiences and relationships, is chronicled through her written words, revealing a tapestry of emotions, regrets, and revelations.

Sybil's daily routine involves writing letters to various recipients: her brother, her best friend, authors Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry, and even the president of a university she wishes to audit. These letters serve as a window into her thoughts and feelings, reflecting her wit, intelligence, and sometimes, her loneliness. As the story unfolds, Sybil begins receiving letters from someone in her past, prompting her to confront long-buried memories and unresolved issues. This catalyst forces her to examine her life, her relationships, and the secrets she has kept hidden.

Evans masterfully uses the epistolary format to delve into themes of isolation, aging, and the human need for connection. Sybil's letters are not just a means of communication but a way for her to process her emotions and make sense of her world. The novel touches on universal experiences—grief, love, regret, and the passage of time—through the lens of Sybil's introspective and candid writing.
The character of Sybil is both endearing and complex. Her sharp observations and dry humor make her a compelling protagonist, while her vulnerabilities and struggles add depth to her character. As she navigates the challenges of aging and the changing dynamics of her relationships, readers are invited to reflect on their own lives and the connections that shape them.

Virginia Evans' The Correspondent is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the nuances of a woman's life through the art of letter writing. It is a testament to the power of words and the connections they forge, offering readers a touching and introspective look at the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time.

This book was like a warm hug. I loved every bit of it. I love a spunky older character. She is whip smart and cares deeply about her family and friends. This book has heart and humor and I think it would please every reader!

It's quite a feat to make a reader cry over an epistolary novel where the characters and their relationships are conveyed solely through letters while sprinkling in humor. Virginia Evans' engaging writing style draws you in and captivates you from the first letter to the last.

We meet Sybil in 2014, a septuagenarian passionate about writing letters. Through her correspondence, Virginia Evans beautifully outlines Sybil's character, relationships, various interests, and story. You may not always agree with her, but as you continue to read her letters, the narrative unfolds into something beautiful, poignant, and sometimes sad, which can leave your heart aching.

This book evoked deep emotions in me. I admired Sybil as a character and empathized with her. She is flawed, but aren't we all?

**4.5 stars**

This book was amazing and so deserving of all the hype! It is one of those books that you could recommend to so many people and I think they would all love it. I loved how nuanced Sybil's character was and all the book references were so fun! A wonderful debut that I will 100% be purchasing for my "favorites shelf".

Though it took me way too long to read this book, I look forward to devouring it the next time I pick it up. This is the kind of book you keep on your shelf and revisit, like an old friend. Because that is who Sybil is, an old friend. Not just to her family and colleagues and actual friends, but to the reader as well. And that is just how wonderfully written this book by Virginia Evans is.

Reminiscent of 84 Charring Cross Road (which, to my delight, was mentioned in this book), I can suspect or at least begin to understand how difficult writing a story through letters can be. To piece together a person's life through correspondence cannot be simple or done with ease. But Evans has done just that, and it was done with lyrical prose, her characters bursting with personality and wit and ambition. She weaved through the last years of Sybil's life with choreographed eloquence, introducing new characters to the old. I felt I knew Sybil, I wanted to write her a letter! I want to write Virginia Evans a letter! I want to write letters.

This epistolary novel is one of my favorites of the year.

Sybil Van Antwerp, a spirited woman in her seventies, has spent a lifetime writing letters—to authors, friends, family, and more. Blunt, strong-willed, and fiercely loyal, she uses her correspondence to reflect on her past, her relationships with her children, and her experiences as an adopted child. As her eyesight begins to fail, her letters take on a new urgency and poignancy, making for a deeply emotional and humane read.

I’m always drawn to stories that explore the world through the seasoned eyes of someone who has lived fully, but not without regrets. This novel is a standout. I was completely entranced by Sybil’s vibrant personality, her unmistakable voice, and the rich, complex life she’s lived—and continues to live. Though told entirely through letters, the book delivers a fully realized character and a moving, absorbing narrative.

A must-read.

I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved The Correspondent. Initially, I was skeptical about the epistolary format—entirely composed of letters and emails—but it quickly drew me in.

The Correspondent is a beautifully crafted novel that celebrates the written word and the complexities of human connection. It's a story that lingers, prompting reflection long after the final page.

What stood out most was how Evans made me care deeply for Sybil and her world. The character development is rich, and the emotional depth is profound. It's a testament to the power of storytelling that a novel structured entirely through letters can evoke such a strong emotional response.

This is a novel about Sybil, an accomplished woman in her early seventies, a retired law clerk, mother, grandmother, divorcee, devoted friend, and writer of letters and emails. It's one of those books you want to keep reading, but don't want to end. The pace of the narrative is enhanced by the varieties of correspondence, the recipients of which are friends, relatives, colleagues, and ex-husband. There are unsent letters to someone unidentified for most of the book, and threatening letters received from an unknown sender, adding suspense to the story. Any reader would appreciate and identify with the endearing way Sybil would share what she was reading with her friends. This book reminded me favorably of Elizabeth Strout in tone and topic, and as someone in her seventies I feel that Sybil's voice was spot on. The epistolary format worked well, allowing for gaps for readers to fill in. It's all so darn relatable.

The purpose, I assume, is for the reader to relate to the author's notes to friends and family, But a connection to the main character is never made, and we are left reading random social notes. The writing is also, somewhat bland. Overall, a disappointing experience.

This book was amazing in every way! I especially love epistolary novels and this one will be a favorite for me in 2025. It was a nostalgic read for me because the main character Sybil, who I adored, reminded me so much of my grandmother who passed away 6 years ago. She was the last person who wrote me letters. My grandmother was a big fan of letter writing like SybiI. I laughed and cried throughout the story. It made me appreciate how important expressing yourself through writing is to some people. Thank you to author Virginia Evans for writing this story!

Delightful is not a word I often use to describe a book, but it is a perfect descriptor for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 by Virginia Evans. The story opens on a June day in 2012 as 73-year old Sybil Van Antwerp sits down at her desk (as she does most days) to write a letter or two. Over many years we come to know Sybil through the words she writes and through those written back to her. Sybil knows she’s a little old-fashioned in her means of communication, but the process holds meaning for her and that’s a comfort.⁣
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Yes, this is an entirely epistolary novel. The rare communication that isn’t a formal letter might instead be an email or a short note. Through these written words we get to know so much about Sybil, a character who at first felt quirky, but who over time I came to see as brave, honest, and heartbroken. She’d had a very successful career as a lawyer, but also paid a steep price for her dedication to the law. Throughout the story Sybil was trying to work through her younger missteps and circle the wagons around the people she loved. Some acts took weeks, others years.⁣
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Since every piece of writing in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 is either from or to Sybil, she is who the reader knows best. We see her as a parent, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor and much more. Evans also did a wonderful job developing other characters with relatively little space in this story. I so loved how Sybil built relationships through her missives, including letter exchanges with authors she admired. (A retrospective of books ran throughout this story.) Long before the end of this debut novel, Sybil had become a truly unique, very endearing character. I suspect she’s one who will live in the hearts of many for a long time to come. A true delight! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I just love a epistolary novel and this did not disappoint. Loved the premise, the main character and the secret that haunted her, the story, the side stories. Really well done!