The Correspondent

Gilbert is a secondary character in the novel. Though he does not figure as an active character, his death and memory haunt Sybil and push her to write him confessionary letters to keep the memory of him with her. Sybil remembers him as a kind child, rambunctious, full of life, and with a generous spirit. He is Fiona and Bruce’s brother, and by the end of the novel, he would have been 57 years old.

Fiona is a secondary character in the novel and Sybil and Daan’s only daughter. She is Gilbert and Bruce’s sister and mother to Charles and Frances. An architect, Fiona often travels for work and lives in London. She and Sybil have a strained relationship, as Sybil deliberately kept the truth of her feelings after Gilbert’s death and her divorce from Daan from Fiona. From childhood, therefore, Fiona has learned not to rely on Sybil and went so far as to keep her fertility issues secret from her. Though the two women clearly love each other, both are highly sensitive to the other’s criticisms and often misunderstand each other. Fiona thus avoids visiting Sybil more than necessary, while Sybil refuses to travel at all. By the end of the narrative, however, she and Sybil reconcile.

Harry Landy is a secondary character and one of Sybil’s main correspondents. A teenager, Harry is the son of James Landy, Sybil’s former associate when she worked with Guy Donnelly. Harry’s neurodivergent-coded behavior often leaves him feeling socially ostracized, so he began writing to Sybil and sees her as his confidante. When the bullying he endured became too much, he ran away to Sybil’s house and felt betrayed when she contacted his father to pick him up. Harry would later attempt death by suicide and come to stay with Sybil to recuperate. During his time there, they bond and become something akin to grandmother and grandson, and Sybil encourages his interest in writing science fiction. He attends MIT and credits her for finishing his first manuscript.

Theodore is a secondary character in the novel and Sybil’s love interest. Originally from Germany, he and his mother escaped the Nazi regime but tragically had to leave his father and older brother behind—both of whom were confirmed victims in the Dachau concentration camp. A widower and father of one daughter, Theodore has been Sybil’s neighbor for years, and over the course of the narrative, they entertain a gentle courtship. By the end of the novel, he and Sybil live and travel together. When Sybil dies, he transmits her attempted letter to Daan before his death to Fiona and offers to tell her the true story of Gilbert’s death and why Sybil had always been so laden with guilt.

Dezi is a secondary character in the narrative and, for a significant portion, its main antagonist. The son of Enzo Martinelli, Dezi was a small child when he first encountered Sybil. At the time, she was working as Guy Donnelly’s clerk, and Dezi’s mother had tried to beg Sybil to convince Guy to treat Enzo with mercy. Sybil, who had only just lost Gilbert, refused out of twisted jealousy and grief. His father was thus sent to prison, and he, his mother, and his brother returned to Italy. When his father was freed, he attempted to return to his family. His mother, however, was too ashamed to take him back, and on his way out from a bar, his father died in a car accident. Dezi has blamed Sybil and Guy for his family’s misfortunes ever since. When he saw Guy’s obituary in the newspaper, he began to stalk Sybil, leave threatening messages, and destroy her garden. She eventually sends him a letter, and over their correspondence, he finds common ground with her, as his daughter also died and his son had an overdose. He eventually forgives her, and when she dies, she leaves him the inheritance she received from Daan.

Rosalie is a secondary character in the narrative and Sybil’s best friend. She is married to Lars Van Antwerp, Daan’s brother, and they share a son, Paul. Rosalie has known Sybil since their early childhood and was the person with whom Sybil first corresponded by letter. A steadfast confidante, Rosalie was named Fiona’s godmother, a role she deeply cherishes. Often Sybil’s voice of reason and calm, Rosalie struggles with her own life as Lars is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and Paul is bound to a wheelchair. Both need constant care, which has taken a mental and physical toll on her. She and Sybil have a big fight over Fiona, as the latter went to Rosalie for support after Daan’s death instead of Sybil. Rosalie is of the opinion that Sybil only needs to be honest with her daughter to clear things up. By the end of the narrative, they have reconciled, and Rosalie is the last person to send Sybil a letter before she dies.

Felix is a secondary character in the narrative and Sybil’s adoptive brother. He is in a committed relationship with a man named Stewart and lives with him in France. He, like Sybil, was adopted by the Stone family but encouraged her to take part in the Kindred Project to find her relatives. When he believes Stewart has cheated on him, he comes to stay with Sybil for some time before establishing himself elsewhere. It is implied that he reconciles with his partner through Sybil’s interference.

Daan is a secondary character in the narrative. He is Sybil’s ex-husband and father to Bruce, Gilbert, and Fiona. He is also Lars’s brother and brother-in-law to Rosalie. Originally from Belgium, Daan had a career in teaching. During their marriage, Daan ardently loved Sybil and her intelligence and proved to be a good father figure to his children. When Gilbert died, however, his grief was all-consuming, and while he and Sybil struggled to salvage their family, Daan could only attend to Fiona and Bruce. For years, they attempted to remain together, but Daan eventually asked for a divorce and returned to Belgium, where he met his new wife, Lina. He is diagnosed with cancer in 2015, and though he tries to reconnect with Sybil, he ultimately dies on September 11 without receiving a reply from her. In his will, he leaves her with a hefty sum of money.

Mick is a secondary character in the narrative and one of Sybil’s love interests. A former lawyer and adversary to Guy Donnelly, Mick had always heard of Sybil but only met her when they were retired and attending Guy’s funeral service. From there, he attempts to court Sybil, invites her to stay with him in Texas, and even proposes to her. Ultimately, however, he is turned down as Sybil commits to Theodore.

Henrietta is a secondary character in the narrative and Sybil’s biological sister. She is also the half-sister to Declan, John, and Douglas. While looking for more details on her father, Charles Thorne, she takes part in the Kindred Project and matches with Sybil. Though hesitant at first, she and Sybil kindle a relationship after the initial shock of finding a new sibling wears off. Like Sybil, Hattie also suffers from an eye condition. She lives in Fort William, Scotland, with her brothers.

Basam is a secondary character in the narrative. A Syrian refugee, Basam works as a customer service representative at the Kindred Project to support his family and give them a war-less life in California. He meets Sybil through the Kindred Project, and with her help, it is implied he secured an engineering job with one of her acquaintances.