A delightful and easy read with heart.

Sybil has spent a lifetime writing letters to people. Some of the letters are to friends, family, authors of books she’s read, indeed anyone she feels deserves written correspondence.

Evans has crafted a story about Sybil and through those letters we glimpse into her life, loves and losses both past and present. The letters reveal a complex character which is compelling as it is enticing. Sybil built a life as a lawyer, divorced and raised three children. In her late seventies, we glimpse who she is and who she interacts with through her correspondence even down to thank you notes with her neighbour.

I love the story revealed in letters and have used them in my own writing. Sybil laments that with the internet, messaging and email, letter writing has all but died but she clings onto hers as it is part of her history, one which may be read by others in the future.

In my own case I hold precious letters between both sets of grandparents more than one hundred years ago and what a story those snippets tell. But they don’t give me a picture of my grandparents inner most feelings nor are they particularly reflective like Sybil’s letters.

There were only a couple of points when my attention waned with letters to people, I wasn’t that interested in eg the University Dean. There are a lot of characters and because I read this book quickly I kept up, but if you’re the sort of person who reads a chapter a week then you might get a little lost. The good news is that are no real chapters, just letters, some long and some just a few lines.

Nevertheless, this one is completely engaging and immersive.