Sybil Van Antwerp is 73 years old, retired, divorced and lives in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. She writes and receives letters. The Correspondent is an epistolary novel, written in the form of letters.
We soon learn that Sybil is feisty, flawed and far from lovable. She’s intelligent, obsessive and, before retirement, highly regarded as a lawyer. Unfortunately, her work came first and her family life suffered.
The letters included in this collection are well written and interesting. Surprisingly, she does have friends, but her children rarely visit and her ex-husband lives in Belgium.
There are a few situations that are puzzling. One character, a youngster, says in letters: don’t pass on my stones to anyone. It took me a while to realise that ‘stone’ was his name for ‘secret’. The word ‘Colt’ appears now and again. I didn’t find out what that meant until much later in the book.
Over the 10 years covered by the novel, there’s one letter that Sybil writes that she never sends but keeps adding to and putting it back into a drawer. All is revealed close to the end.
Avid readers will recognise some of the correspondents. Sybil writes to Ann Patchett to discuss her novels, State of Wonder and Bel Canto. Film fans will know the name of Joan Didion. She wrote the screenplay for A Star Is Born that had Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in the cast.
Sybil Van Antwerp is a selfish and complicated character. Book Club members will have a ball; some will be sympathetic while others will be angry and critical.
Reviewed by Clive Hodges
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHORVirginia Evans is from the northeastern United States.
She attended James Madison University for her bachelor’s in English literature, as well as Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, for her master’s of philosophy in creative writing. She lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and her Red Labrador, Brigid.
(5/5)
I loved the very unique style the novel is written in, totally by communications of hand written letters or emails spanning 2012 until 2022. Sybil is the author and main character and what an endearing, eccentric and wonderful woman she is.
It was so enjoyable gradually piecing her life together as further letters were written. I’m a letter write myself so very much related to the style of correspondence. Topics covered include family life, careers, literature, divorce, disability, bullying, immigration and death and dying. They are all presented in such a way that is lovely, not over the top, just gently and with out judgement.
There are many characters, but they do all fall into place, each has their own part in Sybil’s life and are important. Despite such ‘heavy’ topics there is a lot of humour through out and I found myself smiling frequently at the way Sybil responds to scenarios.
A really enjoyable book, thoughtful, funny and sad.
(4/5)
A charming book told through correspondence letters took me on a journey of Sybil’s life.
From her letters, we can learn who each recipient (character) is, their stories, and how they fit into Sybil’s life.
We are dealt with many heartbreaks along the way but also learn to forgive.
There is nothing better than a handwritten letter being received via postal mail. Letter writing is an art form and holds special memories and moments in time.
(3/5)
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Its saving grace was that it was a quick read, and was at times engaging, but on the whole left me feeling rather frustrated. I just wanted to finish it rather than enjoy the journey. I understand that it was a series of letters that slowly built a picture of the main character, Sybil Van Antwerp’s life, but it was far too slow. I was confused about who was who because I wasn’t really invested in the characters and found the entire process of Sybil’s waffling annoying.
I did like the friendship she eventually struck up with Melissa Genet, the Dean of the College of English, after a fair few complaining letters, but that was a fraction of the many letters endured.
Having said this, it was beautifully written, and the issues touched upon were addressed well, so if you like a meandering read you may very well love it!
(4/5)
What an amazingly cute and original book idea. Virginia Evans puts you in the shoes of Sybil Van Antwerp as she communicates, both positively and negatively, through the form of letters. Virginia masterfully makes the reader feel the urge to pick up a pen and write a letter. Such a wonderful journey as Sybil makes connections with all aspects of her life; family, friends, and authors she admires.
The book cover is adorable and draws you in. A wonderfully enjoyable read and a uniquely written format.
(5/5)
As a life-long letter writer to pen pals around the world, I am always the first in the queue when a book written through letters pops up. In The Correspondent, we grow to know more and more about Sylvia, a retired lawyer in her 70s, through the letters that she writes to her friends, family, and acquaintances. It is not an easy task for an author to do this in a way that has a cohesive plot and still feels like a novel. Virginia Evans has done an excellent job of introducing her characters through their letters and emails with Sylvia and exploring the relationships that she has with each of them. Despite all characters being introduced through letters or emails, each has their own distinctive voice and style. The book is a blend of wry humour, honesty, and a reflection on the things in life that make us vulnerable. At its core, it is a book about connection and how our lives intersect with each other’s.
(5/5)
I loved this book! It was a joy to read and I found that I could not put it down until I had reached the end.
Over 10 years we get to discover the complicated person, Sybil Van Antwerp, through her correspondence. There is so much more to Sybil than we first perceive and gradually we learn, as she does herself, that she still has a lot to learn about herself and to give to others.
This is a book about learning to face past errors and embrace a future with a renewed sense of enjoyment. I gradually grew to love this intelligent, flawed, generous, kind, and honest character. I hope that you will too.
(5/5)
I was reluctant to start this book when I saw that it was just full of letters or email formats. But, I was so so wrong. I was glued from the beginning to past midnight, reading all the letters and correspondences (some emails) by Sybil Van Antwerp.
In this book, you’ll be reading Sybil’s letters spreading from year 2012 to 2019, starting when she was seventy-three years old. There are letters to some famous authors, to her brother, to her friend’s son, to a DNA test company, and many more. There’s one letter that Sybil received that disclosed hatred about her during her life working as chief clerk of Judge Donnelly. This hatred letter made me worry about Sybil.
It’s so amazing that the author can build a story through all these correspondences. The author is also very clever to put a tiny mystery of what’s happened in Sybil’s past, and this really makes the book unputdownable. Within all those correspondences, there’s a story of loneliness, vulnerability, and grieving.
This book will definitely stay with me forever, and I will be recommending it to all book lovers.
PS. There were a lot of book titles mentioned within this novel, that I’ve been adding to my infinity To-Be-Read List.
(2/5)
Sybil Van Antwerp graduated at the top of her class from the University of Virginia Law School in 1967. She went on to form a legal firm with Guy Donnelly and the firm was highly successful. However, when Guy was appointed as a Judge to the Circuit Court of Maryland, Sybil followed him to the courts as his Chief Clerk and their legal firm closed.
When Sybil retired, she didn’t take up lawn bowls or bingo to keep active. She became a prolific letter writer and routinely sat down at 10.30 am every day to write to family, friends, her favourite authors, and anyone else she felt she had to write to.
Sybil mainly put pen to paper but occasionally her correspondence would be an email.
Sybil is forced to reconcile with her past when a letter arrives from someone she had put out of her mind decades ago.
The Correspondent is an interesting read but it’s not the type of book I would have plucked off the shelf in a bookstore. The storyline was good, but I was distracted by the long, overly descriptive sentences scattered throughout the book.
My background is in print journalism and I was often ‘re-editing’ the long sentences into shorter sentences in my mind while reading the book.
(4/5)
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a charming book of letters between Sybil Van Antwerp and her closest confidants and sometimes unusual pen pals.
I loved this book from the start, with its bright pink cover. The letters quickly uncovered the lives of Sybil’s family and friends and their complicated relationships and unresolved histories. So much so, that I was sad to leave the characters when the book ended.
This book brought awareness to me of how communication has moved from the antiquated carefully considered letter writing to potentially quick, unconsidered SMS and email messages which sometimes lead to miscommunication and lack of connection.
This book inspired me to try and be more considerate with my communication.
(5/5)
5 heart full, smiling through my tears stars.
I do love a book told in letter form and I had to restrain myself from gobbling up this wonderful feast of a book in one or two bites, trying to go slowly as if I was waiting for the next letter to arrive.
Sybil lives a life of routine and rules. She is feisty and independent, tough outwardly with a tender heart. Her lifelong routine of regular correspondence is her anchor to cope with a life that has known joy but also sorrow and personal tragedy. She is clever and insightful and has had a demanding and successful career but sometimes doesn’t see. She writes to family, friends, and anyone else who takes her fancy. I really enjoyed seeing her letters to some of my favourite authors. She connects with a friend’s son and helps him through difficult times but struggles to connect with her own daughter.
The Correspondence takes place over an eventful and final 10 years of Sybil’s life. We see her struggle and grow. We see her admit mistakes, juggle two suitors, and forge new and stronger family bonds.
I loved this book. It is poignant and full of heart.
(4/5)
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is a testament to the nearly forgotten art of letter writing.
Seventy-three-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired law clerk, lives her senior years through her letter writing, and it is through her letters, written and received, that the reader gets to know Sybil and the people with whom she corresponds.
This format may not be to everyone’s liking as the letters are a mix of long and short, and are to and from numerous people including Sybil’s children, friends, neighbours, and authors, which can get a little confusing at times. However, it is through her letter writing that Sybil remains connected to her world whilst reflecting on her life choices.
I found the style of writing interesting and I like Sybil who is a deeply complex character, set in her ways and opinionated, but also witty and caring.
A wonderful story told with warmth and humour.
(5/5)
Sybil is a tour de force. A clever, curmudgeonly woman living with tragedy; a totally believable character. The whole tale albeit a comfortable hug…had complexity and heart. The other characters are equally relevant and engaging. Definitely a worthwhile time reading this book.
(4/5)
Sybil loves letter writing to friends and family but when she receives one letter, things change.
I found this a really engaging read that kept me involved in the storyline. I found this relatable and hard to put down, heartfelt, and a real page-turner.
(4/5)
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is my first fully epistolary novel, and though I began a little unsure, I was quickly swept up in the life of the unforgettable Sybil Van Antwerp. At 73, Sybil prefers the written word to conversation, and in retirement, she finds connection through letter writing – to everyone from favourite authors to close family. Through her letters, a rich and layered portrait of Sybil emerges, along with a deeper understanding of how her past shaped her.
This is a beautiful coming-of-age story for an older generation. I loved following Sybil through her many roles – sister, wife, mother, lawyer, judge’s clerk. She’s sharp, witty, and doesn’t suffer fools, yet her vulnerability and authenticity make her incredibly compelling. Once I connected with her voice, I couldn’t put the book down.
The writing is elegant and full of heart, and the supporting characters are just as richly drawn. Sensitive topics are handled with grace, never feeling forced or heavy-handed.
I also listened to part of the audiobook, which features a fantastic full-cast narration – highly recommended if you enjoy audiobooks.
(5/5)
I have always loved books told in diary entries or letters and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is no exception. Sybil Van Antwerp is retired, and after living a fairly full life, she writes letters to various family members and others, including well-known authors (to let them know what she thinks of their books). Virginia Evans has done a wonderful job constructing a complex character the reader can come to know very well via the letters she both writes and receives. The story is funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. I could not put this book down.
(4/5)
At 73 Sybil Van Antwerp is a great letter writer, and as we read through her letters a wonderful story unfolds. She is stubborn, uncompromising, and opinionated which can lead to strained relationships with her family. But at the same time, she is capable of great kindness to others – to the son of an old work colleague or a customer service representative online.
There are letters to friends, family members, the garden club, and several to various writers (Sybil is a great reader and loves to offer opinions to authors – a part of the book that I found delightful). She certainly can express herself through writing and as we hear about her struggles with aging, or the mystery of her adoption, her humour and vibrant personality shine through.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Sybil. There is humour, mystery, romance, sadness, guilt, and a great zest for life. And most of all, a love of the written word – it made me long for the almost lost art of letter writing.
(5/5)
An absolutely delightful read! The story is told through the letters written by (and to) retired lawyer Sybil Van Antwerp to a wide range of friends, relatives, authors, and even a university professor. Sybil is outwardly feisty and forthright, masking her insecurities and grief, but ultimately kind and compassionate. As the correspondence zings back and forth, largely old school via the postal system rather than email (although there are a few of those), the reader follows Sybil on a journey of healing and making peace with the past while she navigates relationships of the present and confronts her future. The prose and pace of the book are highly engaging and will keep the reader turning the pages as the layers of the story unfold. Highly recommend.
(5/5)
Ever since my brother gifted me a copy of the Golden Mean I have loved epistolary books – and The Correspondent is excellent. Sybil Van Antwerp is a mother, and grandmother, divorced and retired with a distinguished law degree. She is prickly, feisty, and difficult and lives through her correspondence – people she plans to write to, unanswered letters to respond to, and a letter she has been writing for years that remains unsent. The letters she writes range from short missives to neighbours, to long letters to friends, to letters written to the authors of the books she reads to let them know what she thinks. Spanning a number of years and gradually revealing the growth of her relationships and the mystery of the unsent letter, this book had me riding the whole range of emotions from joy to grief. Ultimately it is a joyous celebration of a life well lived – even if a sizeable part of it is lived at arms length with the opportunity to edit herself. Strongly recommended.
(5/5)
This book was just like a warm hug. Told entirely as a series of letters to and from retired Sybil, The Correspondent shares stories and events of her life: interests, thoughts, family relationships, love, aging, grief, and what defines us as a person.
As a lover of mail since a small child, I have had many correspondents which has fizzled out since life got ‘busy.’ This story absolutely captured me and I felt like Sybil was an Aunt of mine. There was so much depth in the story without all the small talk.
So interesting how she would pen letters to people she didn’t even know in person – from authors to sons of work colleagues and even stalkers.
This book meant so much to me, I have been thinking of it ever since I finished. It was a pleasure to read and I’m strongly considering pulling out my old writing set and penning letters of my own.
P46, Sybil writes, “…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?”
(4/5)
The Correspondent is Sybil aged 73 in June 2012 who writes letters, a dying art as emails & texts are now normal at this time to communicate with family, friends, authors, and others. Sybil can unburden herself at times in her letters but underneath she is holding to herself her guilt and her grief.
Her letters are composed over 9 years until her death.
Towards the end of her life, she is able to find her biological family, she always knew she was adopted but finally after traveling to Scotland, her first time overseas from the USA, to meet her sister and half brothers she feels at peace with part of her life.
This is a story of a Mother’s Loss, a Mother’s Guilt, a Mother’s Love, also a Wife’s Guilt and Love.