|
|
Title:
|
Correspondent, The |
|
Authors:
|
Evans, Virginia |
|
Genre:
|
Fiction |
|
Pages:
|
267 |
|
Year:
|
2025 |
|
Publisher:
|
Penguin Random House |
|
Language:
|
English |
|
Description:
|
Can you remember when you last wrote a ‘proper’ letter? Septuagenarian Sybil Van Antwerp would have no hesitation in replying “earlier today”, with letter writing part of her daily routine and her process for understanding the world. After a lifetime of putting pen to paper, Sybil knows that there is no end to the relationships and connections she can attend to via her correspondence. Revealed wholly through these letters, this is the engaging, poignant story of a letter-writer extraordinaire reflecting on what has been, what is to come and realising it is never too late to start a fresh page.
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.
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 read. PenguinRandomHouse. Taken from the book blurb.
Comments from BDS Reviewers:"This is, without doubt, the best book I have read for a long time".
"I feel that Sybil would be a friend if I met her. Reading is important to her; she is a kind and empathetic character as well as being blunt and strong in her opinions".
"The book is light and very easy to read. Each letter is barely a page on the whole, which could suit those who like to read a little at a time".
"The night after finishing the book, I chose to re-read it as I knew there was more I could get out of a second reading".
"It's a book that made me cry and laugh and reflect on my own life - a true gem".
"This book will have wide appeal. I can imagine not only the book group I belong to, but also the book group I convene at the prison, would find lots to talk about".
|
|
Categories:
|
Fiction, Grief/loss, Inspirational, Letters/Diaries, Personal Interests, Relationships, Uplifting, USA, Popular Fiction, Staff Pick, Just Added, 2027 Titles |
|
