Books & Biscotti (Book Review) with Tina Urman
Thursday, January 15, 2026 • 26 Tevet 5786
1:00 PM - 2:30 PMOnline via Zoom
by Virginia Evans
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This review is only offered online via Zoom. The program will be recorded.
Free for Temple Members | $15 for guests
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The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
“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?”
Filled with knowledge that only comes from a life fully lived, The Correspondent is a gem of a novel about the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person. It is about the hubris of youth and the wisdom of old age, and the mistakes and acts of kindness that occur during a lifetime.
Sybil Van Antwerp has throughout her life used letters to make sense of the world and her place in it. Most mornings, around half past ten, Sybil sits down to write letters—to her brother, to her best friend, to the president of the university who will not allow her to audit a class she desperately wants to take, to Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry to tell them what she thinks of their latest books, and to one person to whom she writes often yet never sends the letter.
Sybil expects her world to go on as it always has—a mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, distinguished lawyer, she has lived a very full life. But when letters from someone in her past force her to examine one of the most painful periods of her life, she realizes that the letter she has been writing over the years needs to be read and that she cannot move forward until she finds it in her heart to offer forgiveness.
Sybil Van Antwerp’s life of letters might be “a very small thing,” but she also might be one of the most memorable characters you will ever read.
From Amazon.ca
For more information on the book and the author, please CLICK HERE to visit the publisher's website (Penguin Random House Canada).
Tina Urman brings a creative approach to learning by integrating her knowledge of art and literature with a teaching background. For many years she has been a volunteer gallery guide at the Art Gallery of Ontario and continues to teach courses at the University of Toronto, School of Continuing Studies. In addition she presents literary reviews to various private and public groups both within and outside of the city.
Tina further combines her skill and passion for art and literature with Novel Inspirations Tours to New York City at which time she leads groups and provides the opportunity to explore the various museums and galleries while making literary connections to the art.
The importance of charity work is always part of Tina’s focus from raising funds for Breast Cancer Research to supporting Save a Child’s Heart and One Family Fund in Israel. Her most recent incentive was to begin Shop to Share a way in which to help women and their children escaping abusive relationships as a result of Covid with much needed food and supplies.
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[For donations (not registrations) - "Type": Temple Emanu-El Fund / Dedication: "In honour of" Books & Biscotti]
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