THE CORRESPONDENT by Virginia Evans
A wonderful novel that lends itself to audiobook consumption
Note: I listened to this book in January 2026.
The Correspondent was written by Virginia Evans and published in 2025. The story is told through a series of letters sent to and from Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired lawyer and divorced mother of three children, two who lived to adulthood. Sybil has a lifelong letter-writing practice, both to people she knows and authors she admires, including Joan Didion and Ann Patchett.
The story unfolds over a decade (Sybil is 73 when we meet her), and as Sybil’s eyesight begins to fail, the letters to and from her take on a more self-reflectory tone, as she explores the truimphs and tragedies of her life and the impact it has had on her and others.
I listened to this as an audiobook while on a long drive, and the characters are all voiced by different artists, which made for excellent listening and engagement. It is, indeed, Sybil’s voice that takes centre stage, but the contributions and information garnered through her correspondence creates a rich, multilayered story that is both funny and warm, as well as genuinely devastating. For me, what struck me most was the likelihood that there are absolutely people like Sybil in the world. She felt very realistic and flawed, as we humans always are. Her relationships with others reminded me of some of my own, and her responses to the various events being written about felt like reactions people of her age and lived experience often have. I liked this - Sybil and her correspondents are just like so many of us.
I regularly saw this novel come up on lists and had read the synopsis, believing it wouldn’t be one I’d enjoy. Epistolary stories (those told through letters without direct dialogue) are ones I have previously found confusing. However, listening to it made a huge difference, as I was easily able to distinguish who the author of the letter was and recall their part of their story with Sybil. That said, I cannot recommend The Correspondent enough, whether you choose to read it or listen to it. The story itself is fantastic, and it was great to listen to a story where the central character was a woman, over 65 and still engaged with life in a way that felt authentic.
This was a debut novel for Virginia Evans and she has set a high standard, should she continue to publish. The Correspondent is well worth your time.