The Correspondent is written in letter and email form. Virginia Evans’ newest book is based on the correspondence of Sybil Van Antwerp. The correspondence is between Sybil and her friends and family mostly. Although, there are letters to others including famous authors. Often there are replies to her letters as well.
To start with Sybil is an older woman who lives outside of Annapolis, Maryland. She finds writing letters easier to share her thoughts. She is obviously highly intelligent as well as being a black and white thinker (think high functioning autism). She has had trauma in her life and knows that she struggled because of that.
As Sybil struggles with aging and eye issues. Her family struggles with the death of her ex husband. A brother’s relationship falls apart and her daughter struggles with pregnancies. All the struggles that happen in life are covered in letters.
I found the Correspondent a poignant, well written novel that tugs at the heart strings. As a reader, I felt I was brought on a journey that brought the past to life allowing Sybil to move forward. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was a really good read.
