Literary Fiction · Free kit
The Correspondent
An epistolary novel of a life told in letters. From 2012 to 2022, retired lawyer Sybil Van Antwerp writes from her Annapolis desk — to her brother Felix, her best friend Rosalie, her adult children Bruce and Fiona, authors she admires, and one person who never receives what she writes. As her eyesight fails and old grief over her son Gilbert resurfaces, correspondence becomes the only map she trusts of who she has been.
“Imagine, the letters one has sent out into the world, the letters received back in turn, are like the pieces of a magnificent puzzle. . . . Isn’t there something wonderful in that, to think that a story of one’s life is preserved in some way, that this very letter may one day mean something, even if it is a very small thing, to someone?”
Complete free book club kit
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Plan your meeting
BookClubee take
Vibe check
Our editorial snapshot of how this book tends to land at club night — not a crowd average.
Craft
- Overall5
- Plot4
- Characters5
- World building4
- Ending4
How it feels
- Spice—
- Tears4
- Surprises3
- Humor3
- Comfort4
What’s in this kit
Everything below is free — open a section, use it at your meeting, or print what you need. No account required.
- Discussion Questions20 book-specific questions labeled warm-up, debate, and deep dive.
- Icebreakers15 fast warm-ups about the reader — not the plot.
- CharactersProfiles, dynamics map, and superlative awards.
- Trivia20 interactive questions from easy to hard.
- Would You Rather25 impossible choices inspired by the book.
- BingoPrintable book-club bingo for reading and live discussion.
- This or That40 rapid-fire choices plus a 60-second speed round.
- Speed DebatesPick a side and defend it against the clock.
- Hosting GuideShopping list, timeline, surprise touch, and wrap-up.
- PrintablesStickers, quote cards, invites, and review sheets.
How to run your meeting
1. Warm up
Start with icebreakers or a quick trivia round.
2. Discuss
Use the labeled discussion questions — warm-up to deep dive.
3. Play & wrap
Would You Rather, bingo, or a speed debate — then rate the book.
Frequently asked questions
Is this The Correspondent book club kit free?+
Yes. Everything on this page is free — discussion questions, games, trivia, and hosting tips. No account required.
Does this kit spoil The Correspondent?+
Discussion questions, trivia, and character material include spoilers (Gilbert’s death, the DNA test and adoption revelations, unsent letters, late-life reckonings). Finish the novel first. Icebreakers and most This or That prompts work as warm-ups.
What's in the Premium Kit?+
The Premium Kit on Etsy is the full printable pack: discussion guide, character cards, trivia, bingo, games, hosting checklist, and review sheets — ready to print for your meeting.
How long should our The Correspondent meeting run?+
Plan about 70–80 minutes: 10 minutes of icebreakers, 30–35 minutes of discussion (this book rewards quiet digressions), 15 minutes of a game, then wrap-up. Use the Hosting Guide for a minute-by-minute outline.
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