A life in letters

Much like Allen Levi’s Theo of Golden, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (Crown, 304 pp.) has become a surprise word-of-mouth hit, and I can see why it’s a book club favorite. Although it contains some objectionable content, The Correspondent is a moving depiction of aging, grief, and repentance that will leave readers reaching for the tissue box.

From the comfort of her Maryland cottage with its coveside view, elderly Sybil Van Antwerp writes letters to just about anyone: next door neighbors, fellow garden club members, her children, and even famous authors like Joan Didion and Ann Patchett. And almost everyone writes back, celebrities included. Sybil sends emails too, but she prefers to express herself through written correspondence. She writes most frequently to an unnamed recipient. Those letters always go unposted.

In epistolary fashion, readers learn about Sybil’s past: She was adopted, formerly served as the clerk to a reputable judge, lost a child as the result of a terrible accident, divorced her husband years ago, and has an irrational fear of travel.

Sharp as a tack even in her old age, Sybil has never been afraid to speak her mind, a characteristic which doesn’t go over well with fellow members of the garden club or the dean of the college of English where she would like to audit classes.

Like many senior citizens, Sybil thought the excitement in her life would wind down by now. She couldn’t have been more wrong. Even in her sunset years, Sybil finds love and discovers a family member she never knew, thanks to a gifted subscription to an ancestry tracing kit. Until now, she never realized that she was lonely. In less exciting news, Sybil is going blind. But she hasn’t told her children. Not just yet.

Despite some un-Christian elements, including a gay character and some acerbic language, many of the themes in the book are profoundly biblical. Once oblivious to her failings as a wife, mother, and legal professional, Sybil’s inner vision becomes clearer as her physical eyesight slowly deteriorates.

Even though she can be downright stubborn, Sybil comes to terms with the sorrow she has caused others. But she doesn’t wallow in guilt or self-flagellation. After considerable self-reflection, she learns to apologize and tries to rebuild broken bridges where she can. I can only pray that the Lord would give me similar grace as I age.