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Title: The Gryphon: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Is Rediscovered by Nick Bantock ISBN: 0-8118-3162-0 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: October, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.06 (16 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Missed hearing from Griffin and Sabine
Comment: Once again, as he did in his Griffin and Sabine trilogy, Nick Bantock combines, in a most clever manner, both mystical thoughts and ideas using letters and postcards in his newest book, The Gryphon. With wonderful illustrations of stamps from far away places and beauiful calligraphy on notes which fold out from actual envelopes, the author engages his readers with further tales about Griffin and Sabine. While this book is a bit darker than his others and also engages two more characters in the search for Griffin and Sabine, overall this title is a welcome addition to the first three books which were so very unique when they were first published.
Now, after almost a decade's absence from the literary scene, its nice to know that Griffin and Sabine are alive and well. But if we still don't know exactly where they are in the world, one wonders if Mr. Bantock is having too much fun writing these books to ever let us find out.
Rating: 3
Summary: Not as Good as the First Trilogy
Comment: Like many, I fell in love with Griffin and Sabine in the first series. The romance of their relationship was unmatched, even before they met. Their letters are amazing and I loved the voyeuristic quality of reading their letters and postcards.
However, in the Gryphon, I felt cheated somehow, as though Bantock were simply trying to find a way to capitolize on the success of the first series by continuing the story. As for the link between the two, I found it to be less than beleivable. While I enjoyed the intense passion between Isabella and Matthew, I never felt the link between them and Griffin and Sabine. I thought it lacked any feeling of the bond that was conveyed betweem Griffin and Sabine in the first series.
Again, the letters, postcards and artwork are beautiful and I loved the format of the story, however, I had some issues with the content.
Rating: 4
Summary: More than just a book
Comment: There's a lot to like here. This book opens a series that is sequel to Griffin and Sabine, one of the most imaginative sets I've ever seen.
Like G&S, we see our characters only through their correspondence. This gives a delicious sense of voyeurism, of peeking in on unguarded moments between intimates. The book presents the postcards at standard size, usually with images on one side and text on the other. The letters are separate sheets, in envelopes that are built into the book. This creates a distinctive reading experience - the physical interaction between book and reader is very different from normal turn-the-page, and evokes a sense of personal involvement.
The imagery is rich and layered, in Bantock's signature style. The best of these pictures contain many elements, where each retains a distinct identity within the whole. Sometimes, though, the different components seem overworked and run together, an effect I find murky.
The plot is cryptic and eerie as in G&S, partly because this extends G&S. As in real life, the story moves forward in uneven increments, a step forward by this character, then a step by that one. It holds my attention, but doesn't seem to carry the drama of the original series.
This is a wonderful book and an uncommon experience in reading. Bantock struck sparks in the original Griffin and Sabine series that he tries to recapture here. 'Gryphon' continues the story capably, but lacks the freshness of G&S. Still, I'm looking forward to the next books in this set.
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Title: The Morning Star by Nick Bantock ISBN: 081183199X Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: September, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy Boxed Set: Griffin & Sabine/Sabine's Notebook/The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock ISBN: 0811806960 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: November, 1994 List Price(USD): $49.95 |
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Title: The Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes by Nick Bantock ISBN: 0811802981 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: September, 1993 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Sabine's Notebook: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Continues by Nick Bantock ISBN: 0811801802 Publisher: Chronicle Books Pub. Date: September, 1992 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Museum at Purgatory by Nick Bantock ISBN: 006095793X Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 09 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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