Reviews with content warning for Child death - The Correspondent

Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

71 reviews

kkeisling's review against another edition

4.5

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I’ve read very few epistolary novels and really enjoyed it. The author developed each character’s unique voice so well. (TBF-I listened to it and the cast of narrators probably made a big difference.) Sybil’s story, unfolded in letters from and to her, reminds us to keep living a full life even when it feels like things are slipping away. And to face the hard truths while you still have time.

Content Warnings

josie_adair's review against another edition

4.5

Beautifully written epistolary following about a decade of correspondence between an older woman and multiple people in her life. Heartbreaking and funny, this was a great read, and even nicer as an audio with multiple narrators.

Content Warnings

rhoetger's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The Correspondent is written entirely through letters and was an absolute joy to read—especially all the letters to real authors woven throughout. It felt like such a treat for any book lover.

But don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a lighthearted correspondence. Along with the literal laugh out loud moments are some really moving themes - grief after losing a child, the devastation of war, the challenges of growing older, infertility, and enduring friendships.

If you loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you’ll definitely enjoy this one; The Correspondent has that same heart, humor, and depth. The full cast audiobook is fantastic, bringing every character to life perfectly.

I already miss Sybil, Rosalie, Theo, Harry - everyone! I felt right at home in this story and am a little heartbroken to say goodbye. Obviously, this was a Top 10 (Top 5?! Yes.) of 2025 for me.

Content Warnings

dawnp's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I love epistolary novels, and this is one of the best I've read. I so enjoyed getting to know Sybil and to see the world through her (sadly failing) eyes. It starts out as just a sweet and light story, and turns out to be so much more!

(And now I find myself wanting to rediscover the lost art of letter-writing!)

Content Warnings

kdtoverbooked's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I blew through this book so it is very digestible. I liked how the story was partially advanced in the form of letters to different people. I got a little teary eyed at the end. Not a light book by any means. Major trigger: Death of a Child

Content Warnings

jenniepalluzzi's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

mandas_bookcorner's review against another edition

2.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This story follows Sybil Van Antwerp, a woman in her seventies, who primarily communicates through letters. When letters from her past force her to confront painful memories, Sybil realizes that in order to move forward, she must read and offer forgiveness.

While the premise held promise, I struggled to stay engaged with the overwhelming number of characters. The abundance of them made the plot feel blurred and confusing, like trying to solve a cryptic puzzle rather than enjoying a story. I love books with deeper character development, but this one didn’t quite deliver on that front for me.

Content Warnings

angelabeth995's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

jessica_d_e_nelson's review against another edition

4.5

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

maureenwk's review against another edition

4.5

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

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