"The Correspondent" | Reviewed by Chris Stuckenschneider

January marks a day set aside to honor handwriting—the 23^rd to be exact. It seems a fitting time to suggest “The Correspondent,” a heartfelt novel in letters by Virginia Evans.

This lovely story will make readers fall in in love with Sybil Van Antwerp, the narrator, a character of a woman, both bristly and soft, but altogether proper, plucky and intelligent. Each day Sybil puts great thought into the letters she writes, often drafting an original and spiffing it up before posting it, a lifelong hobby for a senior in her late 70s who reflects on her past but fully embraces the present.

The people she writes are as varied as wildflowers—relatives, friends, a high school student who interviews her for a school project and Basam Mansour, a Syrian man phone operator at Kindred, an organization she sends a sample of her DNA to when she’s given a kit to trace her family background, a gift she initially thought was poppycock. Sybil grows interested in learning more about her ancestors because she was adopted, as was her brother.

Sybil had a long, respected career in law. She has two adult children she doesn’t feel particularly close to, distanced relationships that don’t ruin her days but worry her at times. Sybil and her husband divorced years before in turmoil after their young son died in a freak accident.

In addition to letters, Sybil fills personal pages when she feels the need, thus offering readers an intimate foray into the soul of a strong, steady, but at times stubborn woman. Though she can be difficult at times Sybil has a good heart and lavishes care on those in need, a young boy with a mother who is mentally ill, her gay brother in pain because of partner difficulties, relatives afflicted with cancer.

With advancing age, Sybil’s macular degeneration is progressing and most assuredly she will go blind. Facing living by herself and losing her ability to read and write her beloved letters is a formidable challenge to consider, but far be it from Sybil to become a victim. Though she’s in the sunset of her life, this plucky woman is open to new relationships that suddenly develop as well as familial connections that spice up days Sybil never allows to sink into humdrum.

There’s beauty, hope and acceptance in “The Correspondent,” a honey of a read, that includes book suggestions that Sybil shares. Most letters she sends end with what book she’s into at moment and a question: “What are you reading now.”

I’d happily respond “The Correspondent.” Put it on the top of your reading list and get to know the dearest character ever.

Buy the Book.