Description

Book Synopsis

A heartwarming, witty story about the life of an extraordinary woman, told through her letters

For fans of A Man Called Ove and 84 Charing Cross Road

BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick

A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING TOP 10 DEBUT NOVELS TO PRE-ORDER

''Subtly told and finely made'' ANN PATCHETT

''I can''t praise it enough . . . An absolute triumph'' CLARE CHAMBERS

''A unique and charming read'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

''I''ll be recommending it to anyone who will listen'' LUCY ATKINS

''Moving, funny, exquisite, a masterpiece'' ANNE GRIFFIN

--
Every morning at around half past ten, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books.

Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence full of sharp humour and hard-earned wisdom to make sense of the world.

But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms' length. Until letters from someone she had put out of her mind land on her doorstep, forcing her to reckon with her past mistakes.

For as Sybil is about to learn, it's never too late to write a few post-scripts.

--

PRAISE FOR THE CORRESPONDENT

''I can''t imagine anyone with a soul not loving it'' LAUREN BRAVO

''Shows us what a glorious thing growing older can be'' FLORENCE KNAPP

''Wonderful. Read it, read it, read it!'' FRAN LITTLEWOOD

''Virginia Evans is superbly talented'' ADRIANA TRIGIANI

''My new favourite book'' ELINOR LIPMAN

''I fell in love with Sybil, such a wonderful character'' MARGOT LIVESEY

Readers love THE CORRESPONDENT


This book touched my soul quite frankly.' ***** Reader Review

''Makes me hopeful that there''s still plenty of good left in the world and my life. '' ***** Reader Review

''An amazing book; an examination and celebration of an extraordinary woman''s life. Full of joy. Full of heartbreak. Perfect.'' ***** Reader Review

''Left a profound impact on me . . . explores the reflections that come with the choices we make and a life well lived, and it does so with such grace and depth that it's impossible not to be moved'' ***** Reader Review
''I would highly recommend to anyone who is also a fan of A Man Called Ove or Olive Kitteridge'' ***** Reader review

The Correspondent

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Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 9 May 2026.

A Hardback by Virginia Evans

15 in stock


    View other formats and editions of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

    Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
    Publication Date: 5/15/2025
    ISBN13: 9780241721254, 978-0241721254
    ISBN10: 0241721253

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    A heartwarming, witty story about the life of an extraordinary woman, told through her letters

    For fans of A Man Called Ove and 84 Charing Cross Road

    BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick

    A GOOD HOUSEKEEPING TOP 10 DEBUT NOVELS TO PRE-ORDER

    ''Subtly told and finely made'' ANN PATCHETT

    ''I can''t praise it enough . . . An absolute triumph'' CLARE CHAMBERS

    ''A unique and charming read'' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

    ''I''ll be recommending it to anyone who will listen'' LUCY ATKINS

    ''Moving, funny, exquisite, a masterpiece'' ANNE GRIFFIN

    --
    Every morning at around half past ten, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books.

    Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence full of sharp humour and hard-earned wisdom to make sense of the world.

    But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms' length. Until letters from someone she had put out of her mind land on her doorstep, forcing her to reckon with her past mistakes.

    For as Sybil is about to learn, it's never too late to write a few post-scripts.

    --

    PRAISE FOR THE CORRESPONDENT

    ''I can''t imagine anyone with a soul not loving it'' LAUREN BRAVO

    ''Shows us what a glorious thing growing older can be'' FLORENCE KNAPP

    ''Wonderful. Read it, read it, read it!'' FRAN LITTLEWOOD

    ''Virginia Evans is superbly talented'' ADRIANA TRIGIANI

    ''My new favourite book'' ELINOR LIPMAN

    ''I fell in love with Sybil, such a wonderful character'' MARGOT LIVESEY

    Readers love THE CORRESPONDENT


    This book touched my soul quite frankly.' ***** Reader Review

    ''Makes me hopeful that there''s still plenty of good left in the world and my life. '' ***** Reader Review

    ''An amazing book; an examination and celebration of an extraordinary woman''s life. Full of joy. Full of heartbreak. Perfect.'' ***** Reader Review

    ''Left a profound impact on me . . . explores the reflections that come with the choices we make and a life well lived, and it does so with such grace and depth that it's impossible not to be moved'' ***** Reader Review
    ''I would highly recommend to anyone who is also a fan of A Man Called Ove or Olive Kitteridge'' ***** Reader review

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