The author of the books Griffin & Sabine, Sabine's Notebook, and The Golden Mean; Nick Bantock has created a grown-up version of pop-up books that follow two people, worlds apart, whose lives are combined by art and love. A three-part trilogy consisting of hand-illustrated notes between an artist and Muse (but who is which?)  

Every page is art. Each page is a postcard or a beautifully designed letter.   I am an advent reader and it started when I was young. Probably because I wanted free personal pan pizza coupons. For those of you that just said "what" Pizza Hut has been in cahoots with schools since the 1990's with a program called "Book It" mind you, not the most clever name for a pizza/reading bonanza but whatever, that is a whole new topic. The incentive was and still is I believe, that for every 10 books you read, signed off by your teacher, you received a coupon for a free personal pan pizza. Who knows, maybe with the current economy crisis, the ante has been upped to 20 books... Any who, my love for reading blossomed out of my love of free pizza. Hey I knew a good deal when I saw one, even as a little girl.   Back to topic, even as an adult, I'm still fascinated with picture books, especially pop-up books. I blame ADD (not that I was ever diagnosed, but I can get distracted pretty easily) There's something so pleasing about having a book "come to life" in a 3-D ish way that brings me back to my childhood.  

Griffin & Sabine (1991) The first book of the series is subtitled, "An Extraordinary Correspondence." Let me tell you Extraordinary doesn't even begin to describe the thought provoking postcards and letters that reveal the story of Griffin Moss, an English artist, and Sabine Strohem, the woman who can "see" his paintings even though she lives an ocean away from him. Griffin eventually becomes unable to handle the relationship, and questions if Sabine even exists. So he decides to disappear. From the formal-ness of their first postcards to the revealing intimacy of the final letters, Bantock's art gives the reader a delightfully tactile tour of their developing relationship. The art is simply amazing; his style ranges from looser "nature" prints for Sabine's postcards to precise, whimsical oil and acrylic paintings for Griffin's correspondence.   

Sabine's Notebook (1992) The second book of the series opens with the two lovers changing worlds. Sabine travels to London to meet Griffin, only to discover that he has left in search of her. Griffin's letters to her detail his travels, in search of an understanding of what has happened between the two of them. In addition to the bizarre animals and dark landscapes of the postcards and letters, there are also sketches from Sabine's notebook while she is staying in London. The mystery deepens as the lovers cross paths again, each unaware of the others presence.  

The Golden Mean (1993) The final book of the series details the increasing frustration Griffin and Sabine feel at not being able to physically meet. Despite the polarity of their relationship and the interest of Victor Frolatti, a sinister man interested in their telepathy. The two decide to meet on middle ground, so to speak, and nothing is heard from them for years ... until another mysterious postcard is sent.    Bantock's original format gives the reader the guilty pleasure of reading someone else's mail. As is the case with most illustrated books, the pictures are layered with symbolic meanings and textures, but what is symbolically different is all three books just kind of end, without the formal conclusion of a classic story. I feel this book envelops the readers indignation so fluidly, that the only way to end the books perfectly would be to allow the reader to form his own opinion of what may have happened.   

The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy is a unique and a beautifully visually pleasing read and the formula truly makes these stories personal and different to every person who has the pleasure of reading them. 


Enjoy this beautiful story and book   Please visit my blog at www.chaosbungalow.com   Cecilia Sturm