The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

I read The Correspondent (2025) by Virginia Evans about a month ago and I was sure at the time that I would be posting my thoughts. But the energy wasn’t there to write a review. The words just wouldn’t come. And I am not sure the words are here now but when I learned today that The Correspondent has won the 2026 Women’s Prize for fiction I was pleased and I wanted to write something.

​The Correspondent is a novel told in the form of letters and when the book begins we are introduced to Sybil Van Antwerp. She is a 73 year old retired lawyer, mother, friend and letter writer. Sybil has been writing letters to the people in her life since childhood and at first she can be a hard person to warm up to. Sybil will tell you what’s on her mind and needless to say her relationship with her grown children is strained.

​And Sybil as we learn at the beginning of the book has been living with tragedy. The death of her middle son Gilbert who drowned decades ago when he was 8 during a family vacation. She does not write much about her son’s death in her letters to family and friends but it is clear in her unsent letters that she has never gotten over Gilbert’s death. The tragic drowning has profoundly shaped her life. And its only at the end of the novel that we understand why.

​The Correspondent has touched so many readers. And in addition to the excellent writing I think other factors have made this novel a hit with the public. Sybil’s letter writing for example is such a neat idea, writing a letter a day at 10:00 am to family, friends, favorite authors etc. Sybil doesn’t expect a reply. She just likes to engage with the world through stationery.

​And then I think the main reason The Correspondent has struck a chord is the tragedy at the center of the novel. We think we know what happened with Gilbert but it becomes clear at the end of the book that we don’t know the specifics and why Sybil cannot forgive herself. And by the end we feel a connection with Sybil because to live is to have regrets. Things we wish we could do over but can’t and The Correspondent addresses that very human experience.

​Congratulations to Virginia Evans, winner of the 2026 Women’s Prize for fiction.

kathyvullis1's avatar

Posted by:

kathyvullis1

8 responses to “The Correspondent by Virginia Evans”

  1. Cath Avatar
    Cath

    This book is everywhere at the moment, and as you say, it’s won the Women’s prize for fiction. I will definitely get to it at some stage, your review has made sure of that, it sounds superb.

    Like

    Reply
    1. kathyvullis1 Avatar
      kathyvullis1

      Hi Cath, its an excellent novel. But the best way to approach it is to ignore the hype. When I read it it took awhile to kick in. But by the time I got to the end I realized The Correspondent is a journey that you take with Sybil. One of those quietly powerful novels.

      Like

      Reply
  2. Lark@LarkWrites Avatar
    Lark@LarkWrites

    I love epistolary novels, so I really want to read this one. But there are so many holds on this book at my library, even with all the copies they have it’ll take me months to get it. And I totally understand about not having the energy to write a review! Happens to me all the time. ;D

    Like

    Reply
    1. kathyvullis1 Avatar
      kathyvullis1

      Hi Lark, I like epistolary novels too and novels written in diary form. Agree, writing a review is very hard. and if too much time elapses you forget what you were planning to say. I envy some of the yes, no maybe book tok reviews. Hope the line at the library goes fast

      Like

      Reply
  3. janegs1 Avatar
    janegs1

    So glad to hear that this marvelous book won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, and that you enjoyed and appreciated it.

    “She just likes to engage with the world through stationery.” I really liked your way of summing up Sybil. I also agree that “to live is to have regrets.”

    This is a very rich, thought-provoking and satisfying book.

    I know the feeling of wanting write but not knowing what I want to say–usually it comes to me in the process of actually writing!

    Like

    Reply
    1. kathyvullis1 Avatar
      kathyvullis1

      Hi Jane, I’m glad I finally got it together to post a review of The Correspondent. And it was the Women’s Prize that inspired me. It was a great choice a wonderfully written novel and also a book that is hugely popular with readers.

      Like

      Reply
  4. Susan Wright Avatar
    Susan Wright

    Good review Kathy. I too wonder what has made the novel such a hit and I think it’s the letter writing … and how Sybil grows as it goes along. How she’s quirky and at a certain age. She actually has a lot riding on her shoulders which surprised me. (She needs a break!).

    Like

    Reply
    1. kathyvullis1 Avatar
      kathyvullis1

      Thanks Susan and its difficult to know why certain novels become such a hit with the public. But it’s true with The Correspondent and also Yesteryear. But there is always a book of the moment

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment