There are some books that find their way into the hearts of readers, booksellers, and critics alike. The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is one of those rare books.
Overnight, Evans’ debut novel was awarded the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction, one of the world’s most prestigious literary awards. Even more exciting for readers on this side of the Tasman, the judging panel was chaired by Julia Gillard, Australia’s former Prime Minister.
Winner of the 2026 Women's prize for Fiction
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Every morning, Sybil Van Antwerp sits down to write letters – to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to attend a class she desperately wants to take, to her favourite authors to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.
Because at seventy-three, Sybil has used her correspondence – witty and wise – to make sense of the world. But beyond the page, she has spent the last thirty years keeping the people who love her at arms’ length… Until letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life.
Now, Sybil must send the letter she has been writing for all these years – and find forgiveness within herself in order to move on.
Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might not be an extraordinary one, but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.
Composed of letters to friends, family and real-life authors, The Correspondent is an uplifting and moving novel that confronts the hubris of youth with the wisdom of older age. Through her 73-year-old protagonist Sybil Van Antwerp’s connection with the written word, Evans considers the choices we make, those we regret and unexpected second chances.
Gillard described The Correspondent as:
“A remarkable novel, with an exemplary combination of originality, excellence and accessibility.”
She added that it:
“Captured our hearts, and should be read and savoured by all.”
We couldn’t agree more.
I absolutely adored this book. I don’t read a lot of fiction, but couldn’t put this down and finished it in less than 24 hours. The book is a collection of letters, written to and from Sybil - a wonderful character, who is well, a character! The books makes you laugh, it makes you think - and probably makes you cry (not me!). The letter format is excellent and inspires me to get back into letter (email!) writing myself - something I love to do, but have done less of since starting a business. AAA recommend.
You know how sometimes a book is so hyped that there's no way it can live up to the expectations? Well for The Correspondent that was 100% not the case.
This novel is about Sybil, a slightly blunt and at times unlikeable woman in her 70s, who maintains a lot of her relationships via letter writing and the odd email. Through this picture of her revealed by her writing, we see the way she is still coming to terms with her life and the moments she regrets and the relationships she wishes she could fix. The way she reveals more over time, not just to us but to herself, all through these incredible letters, is just pure magic.
By the end of the book I loved Sybil, I loved all of the people in her life all doing their best and mucking up just like her. I wept for the last portion of the book and I am not someone who cries when reading.
Please pick it up and give this book a go.
Sacha to Lizzy: "I finished the Correspondent last night - BEST BOOK I HAVE READ ALL YEAR! I laughed, I cried, I WEPT it was so beautifully done and deserves every bit of praise it has got..."
"I am sooo glad you recommended it! I absolutely LOVED it, just a beautiful book - I read it in a day I enjoyed it so much - what an amazing way to tell a story! I cried and cried, but even though it was so emotional it was so hopeful which I adored! 10 out of 5 stars. 🥰 "