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The Correspondent

A Novel

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The Correspondent

Written by: Virginia Evans
Narrated by: 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
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • OVER TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD • Discover the word-of-mouth hit hailed by Ann Patchett as “A cause for celebration”—an intimate novel about the transformative power of the written word and the beauty of slowing down to reconnect with the people we love.

“This novel is a complete and utter joy.”—Ann Napolitano, author of Hello Beautiful
“Quietly dazzling.”—The New York Times
“I cried more than once as I witnessed this brilliant woman come to understand herself more deeply.”—Florence Knapp, author of The Names
In development as a major motion picture
WINNER OF THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION • LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE AND THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Elle, Christian Science Monitor, She Reads

“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . 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?”

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 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. Best of 2025 Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Women's Voices Heartfelt Tearjerking
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First half drags along, especially because every email header, email address, address is being read out and that is super annoying. second half I picked up a physical book and the story evolves and and ends wonderful

Slow start and a heartfelt end

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This is one of those rare books where you don’t just read about the characters, well you just become friends with them. While listening, I found myself laughing, pausing to ponder, and by the end, quietly crying. I genuinely didn’t want the book to end.

It captures the essence of a a regular life.

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This book caught me by surprise. I wasn’t sure at first if I would enjoy the letter style of this book, but was drawn in by each of these characters very quickly. This is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about life, in all its fullness and heartache.
I laughed, I cried, and I was inspired.
Would definitely recommend!

Excellent narration and beautiful story

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I could not put this audio book away. 5/5 stars is not enough. The best audio book I’ve ever heard. The story, the narrative, the writing. One of my favourites. Ever. I laughed ..I cried. I didn’t want the book to end.

The story stirred my heart.

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It is about how people respond to tragedy that affects their lives... and how they come to terms with it...I cried at heart touching moments....

The book touched my heart...

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