There are far too few novels written in the epistolary format, and “The Correspondent” reminded me why they’re my favorite to read—these stories unfold through the intimate act of letter-writing itself, revealing character through carefully chosen words meant for specific eyes.

In the midst of a slight reading slump—unable to find a book that captured my interest and attention—I began reading “The Correspondent.” With a gentle ease that felt like a warm welcome, I entered the world of Sybil Van Antwerp, a retired legal expert who worked for years as the right-hand of a prominent judge.

Sybil’s days now revolve around correspondence. She crafts thoughtful letters to her brother about their shared childhood memories, writes encouraging notes to the troubled young son of a former colleague who needs guidance, and maintains an unsent series of letters to an unnamed recipient that reveal her most private thoughts. Each letter unveils another layer of this complex woman who never felt at home in the world, and so turned to written words as her true medium of connection.

What makes this novel exceptional is how the author uses the epistolary format to show rather than tell. Through Sybil’s carefully chosen words and observations, we witness her remarkable intelligence, her prickly wit, and her unique capacity for caring—all conveyed through the letters she sends and those she chooses to keep private.

“The Correspondent” is a gentle giant of a book; deeply moving and memorable with a quiet strength personified in the formidable figure of Sybil Van Antwerp. For readers who appreciate character-driven stories and the beauty of carefully crafted prose, this novel offers a reading experience as intimate and revealing as receiving a handwritten letter from a dear friend.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for granting me an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.