The Correspondent

By Virginia Evans

Virginia Evans has written one of those rare books I wished would never end. Nearly every page revealed memorable passages as Sybil Van Antwerp illuminates her life, both past and present, through letters to a variety of equally interesting people. The magic lies not only in the letters themselves, but in how Evans, through the exchange of letters alone, created a compelling narrative arc and for me, a feeling of closeness to Sybil and her correspondents.

Whatever Sybil’s tone, which ranged from sharp criticism or occasional humor to a rare glimpse into her heart, her words often caused me to pause and reflect on my own life in a new way.

Here are some of my favorite excerpts:

Travel

In explaining to her brother, Felix, why she will not go to France to visit him and his husband, Sybil articulated the ambivalence I’ve often felt about embarking on a trip – especially ones overseas. Even though I know travel inevitably leads to amazing discoveries, I still somewhat reluctantly pack my bags …