Book Review: The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans-Women's Fiction

Hello, dear Readers,

Below is my book review of The Correspondent: A Novel by Virginia Evans.

Title: The Correspondent: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Women's Fiction

Author: Virginia Evans

Publisher: Crown
Publication Date: April 29, 2025

Language: English

Hardcover: 304 Pages

Meet the Author: Virginia Evans

Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • #1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as “A cause for celebration”—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.

“The Correspondent is this year’s breakout novel no one saw coming.”—The Wall Street Journal

“I cried more than once as I witnessed this brilliant woman come to understand herself more deeply.”—Florence Knapp, author of The Names

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE AND THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, She Reads

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”

Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.

Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.

Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.

Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.

My Thoughts

Definitely, one of the best books I've read this year. LOVED IT.

I almost didn't read it. First, I usually don't read fiction, unless it's a thriller, and second, I tend to stay away from books that become very overhyped or popular on social media; however, the reviews I saw of these books were coming from very professional and trusted book reviewers, so I decided to give it a try, and I am glad I did. Very similar to last year, when I decided to give The Women by Kristin Hannah a chance. 

I loved The Correspondent. I loved Sybil Van Antwerp. I loved the writing and, of course, the letter format. It kept me hooked from beginning to end, and I really appreciated the honesty, the realness, and the transparency of each character in the story. 

I 100% recommend this book and will definitely be in my mind for a long time.

Wendy