The Correspondent is a debut novel by Virginia Evans. The story of Sybil Van Antwerp’s life is slowly revealed through letters and email correspondence written to friends and family, predominantly in the late years of her life.

This was a very unique format for a book. I enjoyed the story and found it to be a relatable story of family dynamics, coming to terms with regret and acceptance. It also made me want to start writing more letters!

People who enjoy short stories, strong female characters, and general fiction would enjoy this book.

Thank you to Crown Publishing for the complimentary copy through NetGallery in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is told in epistolary form. The correspondent at the center of the novel is an older woman Sybil Van Antwerp. Sybil is a very intelligent woman who had worked closely in her esteemed career as the assistant to a judge. But she was more than an assistant, she was a voice that he trusted in his decision making. Her job had been a priority to her, sometimes at the expense of her family.

This is very much Sybil’s story and it is through her and the letters and emails to family, friends, authors and others that we get to know her and the ones who correspond with her. I wouldn’t call this a cozy book. There is a lot of growth in her character and others along the way. But this is a book about life and in a life there is regret alongside joy. There is sadness in Sybil’s past and we learn about it throughout the book. Long hand writing is Sybil’s preferred method of communication and communicate she does. Letter writing has become almost a lost art in our culture. But there’s really nothing like it in terms of revealing yourself to others and understanding someone. Relationships develop and we come to see Sybil for who she is and that is not a lonely old woman. There’s a richness to her life and she discovers more about herself and others through these letters and her interactions.
There’s much more to the story, but it’s best to find out for yourself. And there are things that we learn along the way, that are life changing. The author did a great job in fleshing out the different characters and their voices.
#TheCorrespondent #netgalley #CrownPublishing

A lovely book about aging and the choices we make that determine the type of life we have. A true celebration of what it means to grow old. I really loved this book. Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown for this advance reader copy, in exchange for an honest review. The Correspondent is a novel told in the form of letters and emails, both from and to our main character, Sybil van Antwerp. She is a woman in the “winter season” of her life and has always believed in the magic and power of letter writing. You don’t need to know a lot going into this book and you can be contented to just jump right into Sybil’s life and relationships, via her letters.

This was such a cozy, heartwarming book- I absolutely loved it. It took me a minute to get oriented to all of the characters and individuals referenced in her letters but, once I did, I was swept away. The author did an excellent job at giving each character their own unique voice so, it became easy after a time to detect who each new letter was from. In particular, Sybil’s personality can be characterized as a delightful, unapologetic, spitfire; she is a woman who has seen and experienced life and is not afraid to live life the way she wants going forward. I think the author just nailed this one. She also did a good job at inhabiting the voice of younger teenage characters, both men and women, and Sybil’s adult children— again, these voices were all unique and developed. I was able to get a solid sense of who each of these people were through just the method and characteristics of their correspondence and also, through what the author shows us in these letters.

I also think the author did a great job at just fleshing out the plot through this correspondence; none of it was overly long or drawn out and they all genuinely felt like letters or emails. However, I was still able to piece together what was happening and what past events were still impacting these characters and their lives currently. There were a number of sensitive topics brought up throughout the book and it felt very real to life. The author handled these topics sensitively and respectfully but, the characters were still messy and flawed as they tried to figure it all out— again, very realistic and lifelike.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the character of Sybil! She is a fantastic character to follow and this was a very enjoyable world to be in for a few hours. I would definitely recommend it and would look forward to any future works by this author.

The cover is what drew me to this book and after reading it, I loved it. I think all woman can relate and will enjoy this book. the concept isn't like any story I've read before and it was a lot of fun to escape into.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans will be in one of my top reads this year. The book is in the format of letters, notes, emails to and from Sybil. I got lost in her stories, hurts, past regrets, and I didn’t want it to end!

Thank you @netgalley for an eARC copy. Add to your list, this one releases April 29, 2025 ✏️

The story started strong and I like novels written in letters, but it soon became confusing who all the characters were that she was corresponding with. Consequently, I did not finish.

The first 30-40 pages were had for me. I do not like books that use formats like letters or interviews (looking at you, Daisy Jones). But at some point Sybil became important to me. Was she always likeable? No. But she had an endearing quality to her. I believed she could be if given the opportunity better. I remember thinking the book felt like a coming-of-age novel and deeming that thought silly. But upon further reflection I realized we’re all constantly coming-of-some-age at all times. Sybil didn’t know how to be a 73 year old, she had to stumble her way thru it like we do all phases of our lives.

Evans's epistolary narrative is a delightful read that reaffirms our ability as humans to evolve and learn from our mistakes. Sybil's journey is moving and heartwarming, a perfectly cozy read.

What a delight! The letter/email format is unique in this day and age to think that we could get the perspective of the main character through her letters. I love that it takes place over time and we learn of where her friends live and places she's been. I'm going to recommend this to my older friends who still have "pen pals" and love the art of letter writing. A charming read that takes you away from screens and gives some nostaligia to the days when we had to wait to hear back from someone.

This was such a u pique way to tell a story. The entire book is letters that Syib writes to family members and friends. The writing was beautiful but I did find the story a bit slow at times. I’ll definitely check out more of this authors work

I don’t think I read anything other than the word “epistolary” before I smashed the request button on NetGalley. While I was reading The Correspondent, I thought a lot about why epistolary novels appeal to me so much. It feels like you’re really inside a character’s head, although in this case you can see that Sybil isn’t tell everyone—even herself—the truth. I read another review that called this a coming of age novel with a 73 year old protagonist and I couldn’t agree more. I loved seeing Sybil’s journey to herself through her letters and emails. The ultimate take away message was that it’s never too late to either forgive yourself or to grow.

My personal connections to this novel was that Sybil worked for a judge in the county I live in and she writes to Larry McMurtry about Lonesome Dove, which I read this year. Her reflections on Lonesome Dove are chef’s kiss.

4.5 stars because I think some of the side storylines could have been tightened or cut.

This was an interesting and enjoyable take on fiction. I loved how the author used correspondence as her to bring the reader through her characters lives.. I love the art of writing, pen paling and I think anytime a writer can being light to the dying art is wonderful.

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.