THE CORRESPONDENT BY VIRGINIA EVANS
It is not often you stumble into a book that stays with you well after you finish it. “The Correspondent” tells the story of Sybil Van Antwerp, a fictional retired lawyer in her 70’s living in Annapolis, as she faces the challenges of aging and the weight of regrets. Sybil is cranky, witty, stubborn, righteous, flawed and likeable all at once, and you almost wish you could just converse with her, although she probably would rather write you a letter.
The book is noted for its epistolary style, where the narrative is conveyed through letters and e-mails, allowing readers to intimately experience Sybil’s thoughts and feelings, as she corresponds with friends, family, celebrities and even strangers. The recipients of her letters were diverse: her best friend, brother living in France, estranged daughter, newfound sister, her mentee to mention a few, but I found it interesting that Sybil often finished her letters by asking the recipient about what book they were currently reading or with a reference to a book she was reading. The collection also includes a series of “unsent” letters, which highlight Sybil’s regrets in life and her efforts to right her wrongs. Her thoughts and observations brilliantly capture the nuances of human relationships, the emotional burden of regret, the impact of our actions on others and the healing power of forgiveness. Sybil personifies the wisdom of age and the challenges of aging, including her failing health and deteriorating vision. Yet, she will inspire you to believe that it is never too late to change, to make amends and to seek new experiences. Without revealing the plot or list of characters, I bet you will find quotes in this book that will inspire you, comfort you or at the very least, challenge your perspective.
First published in the spring of 2025, the book gained momentum through the summer, was recommended by the Wall Street Journal and ended up as a NY Times best-seller in December and one of the top picks by most Book Clubs everywhere. If you prefer audiobooks, this is a good one as it is narrated by a wide cast, which makes it very easy to identify the different characters.
