The Correspondent: The Story Behind the Unexpected Bestseller Everyone is Reading

The Oprah Podcast

Harpo

August 20, 2026

Show Notes

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The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

https://amzn.to/4xasavH

Oprah sits down with Virginia Evans, author of the story readers can’t stop talking about: The Correspondent. Selling over two million copies and translated into over 35 languages it’s the book that has captured readers. Although it's her first published novel, it's the eighth book Virginia's written and one she never intended anyone else to read. When The Correspondent debuted it sold fewer than 8,000 copies. However, readers who discovered it fell in love and began recommending the novel to others, turning this book into a word-of-mouth phenomenon and a New York Times bestseller. Virginia shares the remarkable story behind the book she never expected to publish. Listeners will discover why Sybil Van Antwerp—a complex, prolific letter writer in her seventies—has resonated so deeply with readers of all ages. Oprah also speaks with readers around the country who have questions for Virginia.

- Welcome Virginia Evans, author of ‘The Correspondent’

- Her 20 year journey to getting published

- Questioning if she would ever publish

- How she wrote the book

- How the main character came to Virginia

- Oprah's favorite passage

- What letter writing allows us to say

- What we learn from other letters

- Does a letter need a reply?

- Loneliness

- Writing what you’re afraid of

- What she wants listeners to do