The Correspondent

A Novel

De: Virginia Evans

Narrado por: Maggi-Meg Reed, Jane Oppenheimer, Carly Robins, Jeff Ebner, David Pittu, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Mark Bramhall, Petrea Burchard, Robert Petkoff, Kimberly Farr, Cerris Morgan-Moyer, Peter Ganim, Jade Wheeler, various

“Subtly told and finely made, The Correspondent is a portrait of a small life expanding. Virginia Evans shows how one woman changes at a point when change had seemed impossible. That change, like this novel, turns out to be a cause for celebration.”—Ann Patchett

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • LIBRARYREADS APRIL PICK • NAMED A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING (UK) MOST ANTICIPATED DEBUT

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle, or, a better metaphor, if dated, the links of a long chain, and even if those links are never put back together, which they will certainly never be, even if they remain for the rest of time dispersed across the earth like the fragile blown seeds of a dying dandelion, 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?”

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.

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

©2025 Virginia Evans (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Subtly told and finely made, The Correspondent is a portrait of a small life expanding. Virginia Evans shows how one woman changes at a point when change had seemed impossible. That change, like this novel, turns out to be a cause for celebration.”—Ann Patchett

“The charming debut from Evans takes the form of letters and emails exchanged by a divorced and retired woman with her friends, family, foes, and literary idols. . . . As the years go on, Sybil’s relationships brim with tension waiting to be released, and the detailed connections between each character are brilliantly mapped through the correspondence. It adds up to an appealing family drama.”—Publishers Weekly

“The circus of beautifully drawn characters, who receive and respond to Sybil’s letters, is vibrant and rich. Sybil has survived trauma, grief, and lost love. She keeps her secrets close and edits her pain. The letters are so deliciously crafted, Sybil’s life itself becomes a work of art.”—Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

Wonderful Listen

A complex story told solely thru correspondence. Well drawn characters, fully fleshed out who suffer the human condition with dignity, while suffering human frailties, like aging.
I especially enjoyed all the book references: What are you reading?", and the authors who responded to her correspondences.
Perfect narration as well.

Highly recommend.

You will fall in love with this book.

I haven’t been this connected to a book character in a long time. I cried when the last chapter ended. One of the most beautifully written books I have ever read.

Wow!

The narration was absolutely FABULOUS! Maggi-Meg Reed, the main narrator, is so, so incredibly talented! She and the other gifted narrators brought the book and each character to life in a way that I am not sure it would have if I had just read it. By the end, I was in tears. This book, the characters and the narration will stay with me for a very, very long time!

A Lost Art

Letter writing! What a way to tell a tale, express oneself and live. Thoroughly enjoyed all the action and character development achieved through correspondence. Audio was amazing!

Amazing

It was an extraordinary book. The premise was so unique; the narrators were the best I’ve heard and the story was something that will stay with me.

What a story!

It is such a surprise this worked but I absolutely fell into the story and the lives of the characters in this book.

Brilliant and beautiful.

This was such a beautiful novel with a unique method of telling the story. Excellent narration.
I loved this book. 🧡

Beautiful story read by perfectly cast narrators. Bravo!

By far the best book I have ever heard. There are 12 different narrators which gives each character a specific tone and cadence that I would have never imagined in my mind. The pause between each note and then the simple reading of each recipient and their address aloud was calming and it's something I would have skimmed over if I am honest.
Sybil upon first listen appears entitled, conceded and quote stubborn and wow what a beautiful way to discover her story thru this series of correspondence. I absolutely loved it. I think I will read the written word now just to see if I can hear the same voices.

the writing and narrators are superb

Virginia Evans.. wrote to as if speaking to us the readers through all the characters that we can all identify with. the narrators make ever character distinct and bring their personalities to life . endearing in some parts, funny in others, loving and honest. poignant when she writes with great difficulty about the son's death.

Brilliant

I listened to the audio version, which is perfection. This book turned out to be a favorite, so I purchased a hard copy. I look forward to backtracking so I can make a list of all the books mentioned throughout. I can’t wait to watch this author’s career unfold. What a debut! 👏