Customer Reviews

The Gryphon: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine is Rediscovered

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

I knew there was more to be written by Bantock than just the third book of G&S trilogy and sure enough after all this time he does it again. However, I was wanting more about Griffin and Sabine and I had hoped the baby picture at the end of the third book was an indication of more about them. Instead, Bantock begins with a new trilogy, with new lovers. But thank God he kept with his unique stlye of writing with letters and intriguing pictures and art work that varies through out the book making him a writer in his own class. His work is excellent and I started reading him years ago when I saw how beautiful his trilogy looked on a book shelf. That has led me to buy all his books including his address book and notecards and now my friends collect his stuff also.
If your not sure you want to read this book or the Griffin and Sabine trilogy than at least pick up the "Venetians Wife" and I guarantee you will change your mind. All of Bantock's books have an unusual theme filled with mystery, some romance and intrigue enough to make me read the books in one sitting. Please give one of his works a try especially if you are bored with the standard form of mystery writing. Bantock's books are a delight not only to read but to look at, even if you don't like this type of reading. BEWARE OF ALL THE CLUES AND TWIST IN HIS BOOKS.

I am happy to add this to my Griffin and Sabine collection, although the storyline isn't as strong as the first trilogy. The ending was way too abrupt. I have to hand it to Bantock, though -He makes you eager to get your hands on the next book in the series! There's still nothing else like his books on the market, so I continue to enjoy the originality of these books.

This was a book that I literally fell into. I ended up plopping on the floor next to the shelf to read the whole thing in one sitting. I was enchanted by the intrigue, but frustrated in the same way I would be in real life, because nothing is really revealed in this book. It rather felt transitional. But I closed the book feeling honored to have read the secret correspondances that continue Sabine and Griffin's adventures.

If you are following the clues in this entire story, I don't recommend skipping this book. It is yet another step and that in itself is a revelation. We are reading someone else's private mail in this series and yet, we are trying to piece the legends together... but its going as slowly as life does. So, instead of looking for a payoff (like any kind of an ending), enjoy the process, the deliciously rich artwork will take you off to exotic lands and you will feel well-traveled and energized at the end of the book. That is, if you have parked your disbelief at the door before leafing through The Gryphon.

While browsing through the bookstore the other day, a delightfully illustrated book caught my eye. It reminded me of something I had seen before, perhaps a sequel, I thought. Glancing through the book, The Gryphon, I recalled the Griffin and Sabine trilogy, and promptly leaned against a wall to read. I became caught up as a new mystery unraveled and new characters emerged. My mind explored the new possibilites and stretched to new bounderies that left me confused and disappointed when the book ended. What will happen to Griffen and Sabine? What about Matt and Isabelle? Bantock weaves an amazing story that transcends the reading experience with actual postcards and letters. Hats off to Bantock, I can't wait to see what happens next.

Griffen & Sabine captured my imagination and kept me thinking and talking about it for weeks! Unfortunately, Bantock's latest installment in the series proves it's over --or in this case, should be over. There is nothing fresh or original here, simply an excuse to squeeze out three more books for Griffen & Sabine junkies (like me)to spend our book $$ on in the hopes that the magic is still there (it isn't). The mystery is frustrating because it relies on the next book in order to make any sense of the story and therefore cannot stand alone as a piece of literature like the books in the previous trilogy. I am a disappointed Griffen & Sabine fan.

I was hooked on the first series and continue to pull it off my book shelf and dive into the world of Griffin and Sabine. With this new book and am pulled even further into their world and lives. This is truly a fantastic new addition to the series and one that everyone who has ever had a relationship needs to read.

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.

I was delighted to see that Nick Bantock had published another one of his "interactive" books, and this one, the beginning of a new trilogy, is a delight. The art, as usual, is exquisitely detailed and lovingly rendered. Every time I look at a drawing or collage again, I see something new, something I had missed before.

I did not realize how much I had missed this kind of book from Bantock - has it really been 8 years? -- until I had "The Gryphon" in my hands. I read it quickly, then again, more slowly, after which I went back and re-read the Griffin and Sabine trilogy. I am as confused as ever, but that is all right with me!

I had just finished reading "The Artful Dodger" and that really added to my enjoyment of this newest book. I truly admire the way Bantock combines art and text in his books - it is a gift.

In "The Gryphon", Griffin Moss and Sabine Strohem draw two more people, Matthew and Isabella, into their lives and the story unfolds as the reader becomes privy to their correspondence. It is almost voyeuristic, the way we are able to enter their private world through these letters and postcards. Just the act of pulling a letter out of its envelope makes the reader more involved and vested in the story and its outcome.

I think I have most of the books this author has ever had published, even some of his pop-up books, and I never tire of re-reading them or giving them as gifts. The next two books in this trilogy cannot be written soon enough for me!