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11th out of 225 books
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245 voters
Sabine's Notebook (Griffin & Sabine Trilogy #2)
by
Nick Bantock
Griffin
Foolish man. You cannot turn me into a phantom because you are frightened. You do not dismiss a muse at a whim. If you will not join me--then I will come to you.
Sabine
Sabine was supposed to be imaginary, a friend and lover that Griffin had created to soothe his loneliness. But she threatens to become embodied--to appear on his doorstep, in fact. So he runs.
Faced...more
Foolish man. You cannot turn me into a phantom because you are frightened. You do not dismiss a muse at a whim. If you will not join me--then I will come to you.
Sabine
Sabine was supposed to be imaginary, a friend and lover that Griffin had created to soothe his loneliness. But she threatens to become embodied--to appear on his doorstep, in fact. So he runs.
Faced...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
September 1st 1992
by Chronicle Books
(first published 1992)
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I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I read this book and I was really not all that impressed. Since I was working selling books at the time, I realize that there are some people who are passionate about the entire Griffin & Sabine series. That's fine - you are welcome to your opinion but honestly, I did not find this book engaging enough to even attempt any of the other books in the series. It was a mildly entertaining read but not something that I would repeat or something that I...more
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There was no shortage of beautiful artwork (especially when Griffin had run out off his manicured, printed cards and began creating new ones, which I thought masterfully underscored his steady descent into madness), but I felt there was a disappointing lack of story development.
Despite the letters detailing Griffin's journey around the world, the letters kept us in a bubble with just Griffin and Sabine. Self-pitying, self-absorbed, half-mad Griffin and pining, but purposeful Sabine. Don't get me...more
Despite the letters detailing Griffin's journey around the world, the letters kept us in a bubble with just Griffin and Sabine. Self-pitying, self-absorbed, half-mad Griffin and pining, but purposeful Sabine. Don't get me...more
The second book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy (that eventually spawned a second trilogy) sees Sabine come to London, only to find that Griffin has fled. The letters between them continue, Sabine being the supportive friend and love as Griffin tries to figure himself out. Of all of the books in this series, this is the one that explores change and acceptance more than any of the others.
As with the first book, Sabine's Notebook has beautiful, sometimes disturbing artwork that only adds to the...more
As with the first book, Sabine's Notebook has beautiful, sometimes disturbing artwork that only adds to the...more
I received a sparkling surprise the other day. A package from Discoverylover! Inside, two books. Right. I need more books. My bookshelves groan under the double-banked load and Mount Toberead towers over my bedside table.
Two very odd books, actually. Fairly slender, they purported to be reproductions of an ongoing correspondence between Griffin, a London artist, and Sabine, a stamp designer on a remote Pacific island nation.
Griffin and Sabine are linked in a very strange and intriguing fashion a...more
Two very odd books, actually. Fairly slender, they purported to be reproductions of an ongoing correspondence between Griffin, a London artist, and Sabine, a stamp designer on a remote Pacific island nation.
Griffin and Sabine are linked in a very strange and intriguing fashion a...more
London artist Griffin Moss and islander Sabine Strohem, who have never met face-to-face or spoken via phone, exchange hand-illustrated, handwritten letters and postcards --ostensibly reproduced here, tucked into envelopes and removable for reading.
As this installment opens, Griffin, frightened by his psychic connection to his otherworldly correspondent, flees England on a night sea journey from Italy to Japan and Australia. He leaves a letter for Sabine, urging her to stay in his abandoned stud...more
As this installment opens, Griffin, frightened by his psychic connection to his otherworldly correspondent, flees England on a night sea journey from Italy to Japan and Australia. He leaves a letter for Sabine, urging her to stay in his abandoned stud...more
This continues the saga of Griffin & Sabine....
So Sabine decides to take a trip to London to try and meet Griffin while running some prints past her publisher. Griffin freaks out and gets all nervous that she is coming and jumps ship, deciding to travel around the world on a journey of self discovery. Sabine, being the understanding, patient chick that she is, stays at Griffin's places, paints, and continues to correspond with him as he travels. Finally, he writes to her and says he's coming...more
So Sabine decides to take a trip to London to try and meet Griffin while running some prints past her publisher. Griffin freaks out and gets all nervous that she is coming and jumps ship, deciding to travel around the world on a journey of self discovery. Sabine, being the understanding, patient chick that she is, stays at Griffin's places, paints, and continues to correspond with him as he travels. Finally, he writes to her and says he's coming...more
Oct 27, 2012
Graceann
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who enjoyed Griffin and Sabine
Shelves:
epistolary-novels
(Warning, if you haven't yet read Griffin and Sabine, this review will give away a bit of that story).
At the beginning of this, the second book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, Sabine is in London waiting for Griffin, and he is making discoveries of his own.
Once again I am treated to real letters in real envelopes, and gorgeous artwork which becomes a part of the plot. Once again I am surprised that relatively few pages can deliver such a full, engaging story (especially since a recent review...more
At the beginning of this, the second book in the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, Sabine is in London waiting for Griffin, and he is making discoveries of his own.
Once again I am treated to real letters in real envelopes, and gorgeous artwork which becomes a part of the plot. Once again I am surprised that relatively few pages can deliver such a full, engaging story (especially since a recent review...more
I have decided to give this book four stars instead of the three that I gave the last book, not because it is much better than the first. The reason being that I have become more involved in trying to figure out the characters and the nature of their relationship.
The book continues to lead the reader into questioning the reality of this romance.
Sabine goes to meet Griffin in London only to find him dipatch on a world journey to find his sanity. Meanwhile, the two continue their correspondence...more
The book continues to lead the reader into questioning the reality of this romance.
Sabine goes to meet Griffin in London only to find him dipatch on a world journey to find his sanity. Meanwhile, the two continue their correspondence...more
love "opening" mails with fake-nation stamps on it - or "peeking" into other people's mail - it's feeding on this fantasy of having such fabulous painting as your country's postage - amidst streams of meaningless emails we get at work ;-( this suppressed mail-envy is feeding nick's fan into book hysteria.
I suppose the story is alright, it's a bit melodramatic for my taste, but the artwork is absolutely amazing - a mix of surreal and still life impossible to resist. Which is why I'll be checking out all the other books in this series too, certainly not for the overblown "love" story.
When these books were brand-new it seemed everyone was reading them. I got the first two right away, but the third was sold out for ages and by the time I was able to read it I'd mostly forgotten the first part of the story. It was an interesting idea, popular possibly because people do get excited about the idea of reading someone's mail, being a voyeur, peeking into somebody else's life as if uninvited, whereas most books tell a story to the reader, so they feel like they're not trespassing.
I...more
I...more
The adventure of Griffin & Sabine continues! And at this point, if there was any question before, I am totally hooked. It's almost enraging, though, how Bantock keeps us hanging at the end. (Until we can read the next installment.) I wonder if it would be equally effective in one entire volume...?
This second volumes continues to intrigue and beguile and inspire awe. I'm not exactly sure if this is a tale of great love or the great journey toward self-discovery. Is Sabine a beautiful woman bl...more
This second volumes continues to intrigue and beguile and inspire awe. I'm not exactly sure if this is a tale of great love or the great journey toward self-discovery. Is Sabine a beautiful woman bl...more
Now it's Sabines turn, it's like a treasure hunt, across the universe, to find the answer to the ultimate question, or maybe to even find the question it's self. But these artistically beautiful poetic declarations of love are worth reading over and over again. Each is a beautiful treasure all in its own. Collage, watercolor, print, script, you name it; any and every medium is used to its finest and fullest potential.
I can't really say much mor it's just pure EYECANDY!
Yeah I know I usually wri...more
I can't really say much mor it's just pure EYECANDY!
Yeah I know I usually wri...more
The correspondence continues. Sabine has traveled to London to meet Griffin, but he has left on his own quest. While she stays in his studio, he travels around the world. Will he get back to London before she has to return to her home in the Sicmon Islands?
As with the first book, this one is beautifully illustrated and produced as a series of cards and letters between the two. The “plot” seems forced, and once again Bantock ends the book without resolution. But unlike the first book, instead of...more
As with the first book, this one is beautifully illustrated and produced as a series of cards and letters between the two. The “plot” seems forced, and once again Bantock ends the book without resolution. But unlike the first book, instead of...more
Not sure that I really understood what was going on but the pictures were very special. I think what I liked the most about these books was sensation of reading personal letters, cards, and postcards.
This is the 2nd book in the first trilogy of the Griffin and Sabine series. Sabine is on her way to visit Griffin and in a panic, he leaves, telling her to stay in his place. Their correspondence continues, with Griffin traveling around the world, discovering more about each other through there letters. When he returns, he finds her not there and yet by her letters she was. Is she imagined or are things more complicated than they appear? The artwork continues to striking and I found myself zippi...more
The mystery continues in this, Bantock’s 2nd book. Griffin, confused by fears of his own sanity, leaves a note for Sabine, (just in case she’s real). Sabine agrees to wait for him in his studio while he tours the world, with some interesting coincidences in their experiences. For example when he writes from Egypt, she writes that she’s been painting in the Egyptian room of the National Art Gallery.
The reader still isn’t sure if she’s real or not, but it’s beginning to look more and more like she...more
The reader still isn’t sure if she’s real or not, but it’s beginning to look more and more like she...more
Aug 13, 2007
Libby
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Those who like books like The Missing Piece
Shelves:
booksilove
I would say this story is a love story. And I would say this is a book for adults, though children would like it for other reasons than adults would. It's magical.
I ADORE these books! The entire Trilogy is so inventive and imaginative and wonderful...especially for someone like me who lives to write letters.
I remember stumbling upon this book and the next in a used book store we happened to enter when we were visiting Bozeman Montana. I did not know until then that there had been more of these books, so I excitedly bought them. We were working in Virginia City, and upon our return to the hotel I set about reacquainting myself with these wonderful characters.
I was further amazed by what Mr. Bantock creates, how full the world is, even though it is just two characters and their occasional corresponde...more
I was further amazed by what Mr. Bantock creates, how full the world is, even though it is just two characters and their occasional corresponde...more
In my opinion, this second part it's a little slower and less mysterious than the first one; it doesn't exist intrigue, if not until the end (the same as the first part)... I could see a more romantic side of Sabine, and I really like that.
The end wasn't disappointed for me, it leaves me with the same curiosity to know how the story continuous and also to meet the "real" Griffin and Sabine... I also like how the author change who is the protagonist in the sequel. I don't know, but for me, in the...more
The end wasn't disappointed for me, it leaves me with the same curiosity to know how the story continuous and also to meet the "real" Griffin and Sabine... I also like how the author change who is the protagonist in the sequel. I don't know, but for me, in the...more
A pale imitation of its predecessor. The collage, painting, and script are all still interesting; honestly, the visuals are what saves this from being a one-star book. The story, though, lacks the originality of Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence. Here the character of Griffin strikes me (and himself!) as petulant, self-indulgent, melodramatic, and just plain uninteresting. And the story doesn't end with him growing up. Or with resolution. It ends with another formulaic "myste...more
A gift from my friend Jenny. Griffin & Sabine, Sabine’s Notebook, and The Golden Mean, by Nick Bantock. Part art, part romance, part mystery, these are short, almost “picture” books with correspondence between a woman in the South Pacific and a man in London she has never met, but “knows” through his art. They were haunting and touching and definitely intriguing. I really enjoyed them up until the last page of the last of the three, which I felt didn’t give me any real answers or closure. St...more
Well, we have all the ingredients of the first book: cool images, an intriguing (if, again, insubstantial, acted out by types more than characters) story, and the jolly good fun of opening other people's mail.
It was a little annoying that after pulling that malevolent angel stunt at the end of Book the First Sabine chose to wax innocuous throughout this installment. Yeah right, Sabine. That said, I'm sure there's a good explanation for all of this. Which is why I'll sign off by saying,
See you a...more
It was a little annoying that after pulling that malevolent angel stunt at the end of Book the First Sabine chose to wax innocuous throughout this installment. Yeah right, Sabine. That said, I'm sure there's a good explanation for all of this. Which is why I'll sign off by saying,
See you a...more
A gorgeous and confusing tale. How much of our love affairs do we invent in our heads? How much of the people we love is really true, and how much is just stuff we make up to make ourselves happier with our lot in life? These are the questions we all have to ask ourselves--but in this series of books, the stakes are higher, as Griffin and Sabine have to ask--is one of us making the other one up?
These are magical, fun and interactive books. The letters (inserted in the book inside fabulous envelopes), make you feel as though you're reading actual correspondence between the characters. Fabulously creative book and story. Well worth a read. I'd also recommend the other two books in the series, but after those the author seems to have run out of steam and just published to publish.
I had read the first one of these books ages ago and had no idea there were sequels until I was logging the book into goodreads. So I thought I'd get the sequels.
So right off I find out that the happy ending implied by the last book didn't come to pass. I was kinda torqued at Griffin for being kind of a jerk about the whole thing, and then it ends and that's not the ending I wanted either.
So right off I find out that the happy ending implied by the last book didn't come to pass. I was kinda torqued at Griffin for being kind of a jerk about the whole thing, and then it ends and that's not the ending I wanted either.
This is a beautiful and haunting little series...a book composed entirely of letters and postcards between two folks who have never met, who live worlds apart, yet who somehow know each other. And with each page you get to read the postcards, pull letters from envelopes, unfold each gorgeously illustrated correspondence. Unforgettabl
In the 2nd book of the trilogy, Griffin & Sabine trade places, i.e. Sabine is in Griffin's apartment in London & Griffin goes on the road. So the correspondence between the pair continues. Griffin travels across Europe, Asia and the South Pacific on something of a spiritual quest. Sabine patiently waits for Griffin to come back so they can finally meet. The format of the book is the same as the first: letters and postcards. It is a charming and quick read.
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“I have loved you in every manner that my imagination could contrive. I have wanted you so deeply that my body sang with pain and pleasure. You have been my obsession, my passion, my philosophers' stone of fantasy. You are my desire, my longing, my spirit. I love you unconditionally. - Sabine Strohem”
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6 people liked it
“Do you see that I cherish you beyond question, that you have nothing to prove to me? You are making your journey to secure yourself. I am already tethered to your side. if you can love yourself as I love you there will be no dislocation --- you will be whole. Bring yourself home to me and I will immerse you in very ounce of tenderness I possess. - Sabine Strohem”
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2 people liked it
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I read this many years ago and remember enjoying it. Maybe it's time that I read it again.
Jim
Sep 18, 2010 04:20pm