Virginia Evans, the American author who recently secured the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction, has voiced a desire for a return to letter writing, lamenting a perceived decline in its prevalence. Speaking after her victory at a London ceremony on Thursday, 11th June, Evans suggested that the quantity of personal correspondence circulating globally might be at its lowest point ever.
Her acclaimed debut novel, 'The Correspondent', an epistolary work, delves into the life of Sybil Van Antwerp, a septuagenarian whose existence is intricately woven through the letters she exchanges with family, friends, and even notable authors. This compelling narrative resonated deeply with the judging panel, with chair Julia Gillard, former Australian prime minister, describing it as 'exemplary' and praising Evans's ability to 'elevate an ordinary life in the most heartfelt of ways' through this unique format.
Evans acknowledged that letter writing is largely sustained by an older demographic, originating from a period when it was a necessity, a role now largely superseded by modern technology. However, she posited that there might be a growing recognition of what could be lost, prompting individuals to reconsider this traditional form of communication. She expressed hope that while technology has fundamentally altered social and cultural interactions, the inherent value of handwritten messages, particularly for historical record-keeping, remains undeniable.
The author highlighted the historical significance of letters, noting that they provide an invaluable window into the lived experiences and prevailing sentiments of past eras. She described this aspect as 'irreplaceable', suggesting that to truly grasp historical moments, one often turns to unearthed personal correspondence. This sentiment appears to be shared by her readership, as 'The Correspondent', a word-of-mouth success since its publication last April, has reportedly motivated many to reignite their own practice of letter writing.
Evans recounted an encounter with a reader at a Women's Prize event who, inspired by the novel, resumed exchanging letters with a childhood friend after a long hiatus. This anecdotal evidence fuels Evans's optimism that her book is encouraging a renewed appreciation for the personal touch of a handwritten letter, a feeling she describes as unparalleled when discovered in one's post box.
In addition to Evans's win, the ceremony also celebrated Lyse Doucet, the BBC foreign correspondent, who was awarded the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction. Doucet's book, 'The Finest Hotel in Kabul', offers a comprehensive social history of the InterContinental hotel in Kabul, detailing its staff's experiences amidst significant geopolitical events, including the Soviet evacuation, civil war, the US invasion, and the rise of the Taliban.