The Correspondent: A Novel

Our Review:

I picked up The Correspondent expecting a quiet domestic story, and that's exactly what I got—but in the best possible way. This novel moves at the pace of handwritten correspondence itself, which means it asks you to slow down and really sit with its central character as she discovers who she's become through decades of letters. There's something almost meditative about following her journey through the written word, watching how connection unfolds across time and distance.

What struck me most was how Evans captures the small, genuine moments that make up a life. The relationships here feel lived-in and real, especially the complicated bonds between mothers and children. The writing is warm without being saccharine, and there's a quiet humor threaded throughout that kept me turning pages even during the more reflective passages. The structure itself—built around correspondence—becomes part of the story's beauty, like watching someone piece together a puzzle of their own existence.

That said, this book rewards patience. If you're looking for plot twists or high-stakes drama, this isn't your read. The transformation that happens is internal and gradual, which makes it all the more powerful but also means you need to be willing to sit with subtlety. It's the kind of novel that lingers with you after you finish, the kind you might find yourself thinking about weeks later. I'd especially recommend it to anyone who loves character-driven stories about self-discovery, or anyone who appreciates what it means to truly pay attention to the people we love.