The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
One book, one group chat, one month, one table. That's our Monthly read.
About the club
For one month, we read The Correspondent together, with our WhatsApp group as our shared notes app. We shared thoughts along the way and answered questions whether we were on chapter two or already finished.
Now we close the month offline with The Book Review: one hour, one table, one question. Is this book worth a finish?
This page is for one thing only: claiming your seat, so we know you're coming. Finishing is not required. Showing up is.
The Book Review is on Sunday 25 October, 15:00–16:00.
The book
What would you say if you could only say it on paper?
In this novel told entirely in letters by Virginia Evans, Sybil Van Antwerp writes to friends, family, strangers and the authors she admires. Letter by letter, a whole life unfolds: what she dares to say, what she keeps to herself, and the people she never hears back from.
Quiet, clever and more moving than you expect. A book that makes you want to pick up a pen.
This review, it's all about the letters
A book made of letters deserves a letter, so this month we're writing to each other. You've been matched with someone in the group; check the chat to see who you're writing to.
Keep it short, 50 words is plenty. How you found the book, how you read it, what you appreciate about your match. You don't need to have finished the book. Handwritten is perfect, or send it to me upfront and I'll print it for you.
Your RSVP and your letter go together: someone is writing one for you, so make sure they get one back.
How the review goes
We walk in and get ourselves a drink
Then we start together with the central theme of the book and what it meant to us
After this, you're paired with the person who wrote a letter for you, and the two of you talk through the letter and book
After that we come back together for a short recap
And finish by filling in the review as a group, ending with the verdict: is this book worth a finish?
Good to know
The summary goes out the day before, so you'll know what's up even if your bookmark doesn't.
All drinks are on your own tab and paid before you leave.
Every format counts. Paperback, ebook, audiobook, library copy.
Read it in English or Dutch. The talk is usually in English.
Come alone. Almost all of us do, and after a month in the group you're really not new anymore.
See you on the 25th, lovely!