The Correspondent
The Correspondent ~ Virginia Evans
The Correspondent is made up of letters to and from Sybil Van Antwerp, a 70 something year old retired lawyer, mother, and divorcee living in Maryland. She writes to her best friend, her neighbor down the street, her brother who lives in France, and her children. She writes letters to authors and other famous people. She writes to the teenaged son of a friend of hers, and to an employee at a genetic research company (think 23 and Me) They generally write back.
The thought and depth that she puts into her letters, and how that consideration and depth is mirrored back in the letters that she receives, is what makes this book the wonder that it is. She doesn’t just write an author and say, ‘I loved your book, it moved me’. Rather, she describes how it moved her, what it meant to read it, and how it changed for her when she rereads it decades later.
I loved this book so much. I listened to it on Audible (still trying to use up those credits so I can cancel my subscription), and I’m glad to own this one rather than getting it from the library. I suspect I will listen to it again. Highly recommended.
24 Comments
nance
I just bought this book based upon Engie’s review and excerpts. Now, after reading your review, I know I’m going to be glad I did. It’ll be some time before I get to it, however; it’s third on my TBR pile/list, and I’m also in CBBC.
There are times when I think about the loss of letter writing in our electronic and abbreviated messaging society. Ours is a nearly blank and silent legacy now. Turn off the power and machines, and it’s as if we said nothing at all.
J
I read it thanks to Engie’s review too, so I’m really glad she read it and loved it. I think you will too.
I was thinking that I might write some letters to family, try to get back in that habit. Of course if it’s a one way street that doesn’t work so well. I don’t have all of my emails from my parents, but I do have all of them since about 2000, so that’s something. Of course, they’re on Yahoo, not printed, so lose the computer, and as you say, they are gone.
Suzanne
This book was so good! It did NOT sound like my kind of thing, but I begrudgingly downloaded the audiobook from my library and then fell in love. Such a great book! I am delighted every time someone else likes it too!
J
I’m with you, I was unconvinced it would be for me, but Engie loved it so much I decided to give it a try. I’m really glad I did!
Margaret
I’m thinking that I should recommend this one to Book Club. It sounds like it would be great for discussion.
J
I hope they go for it, it’s excellent!
Noemi
I also listened to this book and I also loved it. I loved the bother, his personality and his voice. I wished there were more of him. I just really liked the book. I finished it super quickly.
J
I loved the brother too! Is there another novel there, his story? Maybe!
Common Household Mom
Thanks for your review. I am not usually a fan of the epistolary novel, but this one looks really good. AND – bonus – is available both in audio and kindle from our library (a 23-week wait, though!). It might even work for book club which some people require audio and others require e-book.
J
It was really good! Getting a bunch of copies from the library at the same time might not work, but if people are willing to buy it, I think they would love it.
ernie
I read Engie’s post about this and I’m so hoping to convince my book club to choose it for next year’s list. It sounds amazing. I look forward to reading it.
There was a time when I used to write so many letters. I wrote to the families I babysat when I was away at college. One of the dads refered to me once as the most letter writing-est person he ever met. 😉
J
I used to be great at letter writing as well. Then I was really glad at long, chatty email letters. Then came blogging, social media, and texting, and it’s all gone to hell. Maybe we can bring it back. I’m going to try to write a couple of letters this week, I think.
Coco
I wrote many letters in my teens and 20s. I’m intrigued by your review. Will download a sample. Thanks
J
It’s so good…
Tierney
I loved this book! It really was a masterpiece of multiple plotlines beautifully paced. It amazed me how it was easy to follow, even though the epistalatory style is so constrained by a singular POV that is a one-sided conversation until the next letter comes. I also thought the main character was really, really well-developed and nuanced. 5/5 stars!
J
Agreed, I loved this book. It’s in the ‘would give as a gift’ category.
Tierney
Also, I would trust any book that Ann Patchett blurbed!
J
Me too!
NGS
We are all Sibyl.
J
Indeed! I feel like my notecard/postcard game is good, but a long, thought out letter? Not so much. I just mailed one to my BFF that started as a birthday card. Her birthday is in April, and it took me this long to finish it. I now want to buy stationary and send letters to my sisters, but I am not going to spend that money when I have 18,000 note cards around here.
Jenny
I loved this one too! And I didn’t think I was going to- how wrong I was.
J
I’m so glad for blog friend book reviews, otherwise I would have probably passed on this one, too. I loved it.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I have never heard of this book or author. But I added it to the TBR.
Would you say its fiction or non fiction?
I have goal on my major goal list that is write an author I admire and this might be helpful (or intimidating) to do it.
J
Definitely fiction, but amazing.