The Correspondent Audiobook By Virginia Evans cover art

The Correspondent

A Novel

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The Correspondent

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 • 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.

“The Correspondent is this year’s breakout novel no one saw coming.”—The Wall Street Journal

“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 starring Jane Fonda
LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE, THE ANDREW CARNEGIE MEDAL, AND THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION • 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.

Accolades & Awards

Best of 2025
Most Popular
Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2025
Best of 2025 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Family Life Tearjerking Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Epistolary
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Unique Epistolary Format • Emotional Depth • Exceptional Narration • Complex Protagonist • Beautiful Writing

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By far my favorite Audiobook I’ve ever listened to. This author and the narrators made this a completely captivating immersive experience. I felt every emotion from a laugh, crying, love, pain, and frustration. Words cannot even describe how impactful this beautiful book was for me. I’m sad it’s over. It was a refreshing change of style. Thank you Virginia Evans and the amazing narrators.

Captivating Immersive Experience

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This book is written in letter format. You learn about each character through the letters that they write back and forth to one another. That may sound a bit off putting, but it worked so well in this novel! I was incredibly impressed with the author. Her ability to link the stories of each character together through letters was incredible. I felt as if I knew and understood each character and began to anticipate their responses to one another.

I found this book to be quite charming, witty, thought provoking and soul touching. I laughed, I cried and I was sad when it was over as I wanted to continue reading! My favorite part of this novel was the authors ability to express something that really matters but that we don’t always consider…. And that is that communication is hard. This book reminds us that our words matter and are powerful tools. It reminds us that there are many ways to communicate, some we are better at than others. Learning from these characters I found myself considering how I communicate, and if I could communicate more powerfully and effectively in a different way. Watching the characters struggle through this was thought provoking. I was profoundly struck with how powerful letter writing can be. It left a lasting impression on my heart. Thank you for this incredible new book!

Loved this book

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what a beautiful reading with a full cast of narrators. i grew to miss Sybil when she wasn’t with me, and thinking in her prose in my head. a lovely story with the full range of character development and emotions. i miss you already, Syb.

wonderful cast!

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Loved it all but especially loved the narration and perspectives. Beautiful story that reminds us how important relationships are.

Beautiful story and I LOVED Sybil

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I loved it. The writing was beautiful, the characters all so human. A very fitting and touching end. This one will stay with me.

It was just beautiful

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