Griffin & Sabine - An Extraordinary Correspondence
by Nick Bantock
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Read in January, 1991
I actually read the 1991 original not the anniversary one. This is one of the first adult books for which the Library of Congress published an annotation on the record itself and not just a link. Since so many great reviews are already here I'll just paste it in --"It all started with a mysterious and seemingly innocent postcard, but from that point nothing was to remain the same in the life of Griffin Moss, a quiet, solitary artist living in London. His logical, methodical world was sudde...more
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Read in January, 1994
A visually stunning book for anyone who cares about the art of books or has a soft-spot for snail mail. I look back on this with nostalgia, not necessarily because the story was profound, but because I'm in awe that I was ever able to read it (literally, as my eyes would never let me do so today). I have to wonder, is there a large-print version available? An audio recording? What would a Braille version of this be like?
I'm reminded of the haunting Twilight Zone episode (mentioned in a...more
I'm reminded of the haunting Twilight Zone episode (mentioned in a...more
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Read in November, 2000
I've read this and all the other books for this series. It's a unique read. Have you ever accidentally received someone else's mail and wondered what it might contain? Or come across a diary and been tempted to read what secrets it held?
This book is a voyeuristic view of a relationship between two people - or is it?
Opening the book you realize soon enough that you have stumbled upon someone's mail - and you can't help but read it. Each consecutive page brings more and more interest, as ...more
This book is a voyeuristic view of a relationship between two people - or is it?
Opening the book you realize soon enough that you have stumbled upon someone's mail - and you can't help but read it. Each consecutive page brings more and more interest, as ...more
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Read in October, 2007
This is a very addictive book. Once I read one, I had to read all the sequels.
For anyone who likes artbooks or even literary work that integrates visuals, Nick Bantock's Griffin and Sabine is a must read. This brief epistolary novel consists of postcards and letters exchanged between the titular characters who create their own postcards. Griffin is a depressed artist living in London who one day receives a postcard from Sabine, who claims to have a special connection. As the story pro...more
For anyone who likes artbooks or even literary work that integrates visuals, Nick Bantock's Griffin and Sabine is a must read. This brief epistolary novel consists of postcards and letters exchanged between the titular characters who create their own postcards. Griffin is a depressed artist living in London who one day receives a postcard from Sabine, who claims to have a special connection. As the story pro...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Danielle by:
Timsrecommends it for: Winona
I just read this book in about a half hour. It's crazy. It's the first one in a trilogy and I'm about to go read the second one. If you've never read Bantock, his books are all about presentation and they are interactive- like a pop up book for grown ups. Winona, I think you would love these for some reason. This one is a series of letters between two people who you know almost nothing about. You actually get to pull the letters out of the envelopes, which are glued to the page. And it hel...more
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I love interactive books and this one is number one on my FABULOUS list. The entire series is brilliant, but this first book simply lifts you into a new realm of possibilities and ideas. Reading someone elses mail is a cultural taboo, and Bantock forces you to confront your fears about it - you have to actually open envelopes and decipher handwriting to read the book. I was uneasy at first (which made me laugh.. it's FICTION) then I was totally hooked. His artwork is mind boggling and the st...more
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WOW. I loan these books out as a set (six books) because there is no other way to read them. Jory is of the opinion that they are perfect for reading as a couple and I agree.
These books are written in epistolary style, with the letters actually folded up and put in envelopes. You take them out to read them. It gives me the best feeling of sneaking a look at someone else's correspondence and falling in love with two new people. These books are so. good. Passionate and sexy and funny and beau...more
These books are written in epistolary style, with the letters actually folded up and put in envelopes. You take them out to read them. It gives me the best feeling of sneaking a look at someone else's correspondence and falling in love with two new people. These books are so. good. Passionate and sexy and funny and beau...more
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Not so much for the substance of this book did I rate it five stars. Instead, the sheer visual beauty and unique presentation makes it worth every star.
Reading Griffin & Sabine reminded me of those days of spring cleaning and stumbling upon a long-forgotten treasure trove of old correspondences. (When letters were still hand written and delivered by post.)
As you go through each letter of this book you can't help but feel like a voyeur, entrenched in these characters' lives. And that'...more
Reading Griffin & Sabine reminded me of those days of spring cleaning and stumbling upon a long-forgotten treasure trove of old correspondences. (When letters were still hand written and delivered by post.)
As you go through each letter of this book you can't help but feel like a voyeur, entrenched in these characters' lives. And that'...more
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Read in January, 1993
recommends it for:
everyone
In some ways, this is more of a scrapbook than a graphic novel. It is fun to read, and the art is lovely. It reminded me of a scrapbook kept by Janet Flanner, who wrote the "Letter from Paris" column for the New Yorker for many years, and her partner Solita Solano, that I had the pleasure of perusing in the Library of Congress. Their scrapbook contained many items which were as personal and surprising as the correspondence between Griffin and Sabine. Getting unexpected glimpses in...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
artists, artists who love writing, writers who love art, art and design students
This book is truly wonderful!!! I'm going to get the whole series. The artwork is awesome, and I really love the concept, it's brilliant! I love that you get to actually pull the letters from the envelopes, and I love that both Griffin and Sabine are artists and their epistolary conversations often gravitate around art. I'm almost jealous. This guy is really lucky to get to write *and* illustrate his own books *and* make a living out of it! Totally an inspiration for me. One day, I want to do th...more
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Read in January, 1992
This first book in the trilogy was a gift from my dad when I was in high school. After reading it, I became enthralled and have collected as many as I can. The story is exactly like the title says, a correspondence tale. But the really awesome part is the wonderful artistically designed layout, with postcards and letters that are removable! However, I only rate all the subsequent books as 4 because it's been so long since I read them that I can't honestly remember if they are quite 5.
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Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
anybody who wants something different
I went through a Bantock phase as well--I loved him through high school and a little bit beyond. He is great at times, and this is by far his best---playing with the idea of "Book" he makes the medium more the story than the story itself--georgeous art---letters that look hand written---here he was doing something new. Later it would eventually devolve into schtick, but if there's anything that defines multimedia experience, without demanding a computer--this would be it!
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Read in May, 2007
The drawings in this book were amazing. The format of it was very interesting and inventive. One side of the page would be the postcard face (or the front of an envelope). You flip the page and it is the writing on the postcard. The postcards/letters are being sent between Griffin, a London postcard artist, and Sabine, a stamp designer in the South Pacific. The ending of the story leaves you hanging so I can't wait till the next book comes from the library!
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These books were such a different experience. It was almost like rifling through someone's mail. I kept looking over my shoulder to see if I was going to get caught.
The story of the mysterious correspondence between Griffin and Sabine is fascinating and punctuated with the amazing artwork of Nick Bantock.
A must read for story lovers and art lovers alike.
The story of the mysterious correspondence between Griffin and Sabine is fascinating and punctuated with the amazing artwork of Nick Bantock.
A must read for story lovers and art lovers alike.
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Read in January, 1996
Although it's been many years, I remember being very moved by this book. The interesting way it's put together helps, of course. An epistolary book that contains the actual letters is fun to read. Who isn't tempted to read other people's mail? And the characters are interesting and sweet. A great book to leave out in your living room and share with friends.
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I got this set of books as a gift from hath and I absolutely adore them.
They are stunningly beautiful, and the storyline, as told through correspondence, is mysterious and intriguing. There's a combined feeling of excitement, tinged with voyeuristic pleasure that I get, when I (literally) open Griffin and Sabine's mail.
I pick the books up often .. sometimes to re-read, and sometimes just to look at the pictures, and daydream.
They are stunningly beautiful, and the storyline, as told through correspondence, is mysterious and intriguing. There's a combined feeling of excitement, tinged with voyeuristic pleasure that I get, when I (literally) open Griffin and Sabine's mail.
I pick the books up often .. sometimes to re-read, and sometimes just to look at the pictures, and daydream.
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Read in January, 1995
recommends it for:
adults
This is a remarkable book (the whole trilogy is fascinating) that gives you the feeling you are spying on somthing private as you read mail back and forth from Griffin & Sabine. Most of the pages are laid out like postcards with some of the most entertaining and bizarre artwork done by the author. Some of the pages hold envelopes when you pull out actual letters and hold them. It's a remarkable concept and a gripping story.
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Read in January, 1991
recommends it for:
voyeurs
I first read this book when it was new. It is told through beautifully illustrated letters and postcards between Griffin and Sabine, both artists. This format brought out the voyeur in me and made me feel a little bit naughty, as though I was reading someone elses mail. *chuckle* Now in 2007, I'm re-reading this fascinating story. This book is also available on tape - but listeners will miss the wonderful illustrations. :)
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This is the first in a series, and it's just precious. It's quite a short read. And, I doubt I would check it out from a library because part of the beauty of the series is the format of the book. It is a printing of correspondence and, as such, contains some actual letters you can pull out and read. It's rare to find a publication that challenges what you think a "book" is. I think that's why it charmed me so.
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
Melisa
It all started with a postcard. Griffin Moss was an artist living in London. His world was turned upside down when he received a post card from a woman living on a tropicl island thousands of miles away. Sabine, says she can see what Giffin is painting. They develope and friendship and then deeper relationship through their correspondence. Inside this book are letters nesting in their envelopes. Very Insteresting.
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