The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

 

I'm always a bit wary of books that other readers rave about. I think that I'm more critical than many and am often disappointed by what others consider an outstanding read. That is not the case with The Correspondent. It captured my attention from the first page, and I read late into the night to find out what happened next.

Sybil Van Antwerp is now in her seventies. A lifelong letter writer, she believes in the written word, shuns email, and saves all of the letters she receives. Many of her letters are to fellow book enthusiasts, with some to authors whose books have moved her. A former lawyer and law clerk, Sybil, divorced mother of two, now faces a bleak future. Her eyesight is failing, and to the independent Sybil, this is tantamount to a death sentence. 

We follow Sybil through the years as she confronts her challenges, faces up to her mistakes, and reaches out to help others--all through her correspondence. We come to know her best friend, Rosalie, her brother, Felix, a product support person, and many others who touch her life. This is a charming story, while exploring the pain of the death of a child, and the challenges that face us all as we age. I highly recommend this book. 

5/5 stars.

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