A web page dedicated to a trilogy of books by author/artist Nick Bantock
If you're here, you're probably as big a fan of Nick Bantock's books as I am. If you have never heard of these books, well, you've come to the right place.
I'm coming up on the 10th (!) anniversary of this site in just a few months, and while this is not a major overhaul, I think the CSS layout is easier to read and navigate. I hope to pull together something soon for the second trilogy and Urgent 2nd Class.
Why does this page exist?
Mainly, because when I first looked for a site about these books, there wasn't one. So I made one.
I can't say that I remember the first time I saw Griffin and Sabine in the bookstore; I remember I was still in art school and all of my friends (who were all illustration and design students) discovered the first two books (Griffin and Sabine and Sabine's Notebook) practically simultaneously. I remember sitting in my friend Dave's living room as we took turns reading, waiting to get through the first two books. We were absolutely mad for them. When we realized there was a third book out (The Golden Mean), we went to the bookstore as fast as our little feet and empty wallets could take us. And still we wanted more.
This web site is dedicated to the author of those books, Nick Bantock, for his wonderfully creative mind, his talent, and his overall fabulousness. The whole thing, lock, stock and barrel, belongs to him, and in no way do I intend any copyright infringement, just utter respect and admiration.
Griffin what? Sabine who?
This trilogy of books is unique not only for a creative idea done well, but also cleverly presented. In reading the correspondence between lonely London artist Griffin Moss and South Seas free spirit Sabine Strohem, you become the ultimate voyeur. As you turn each postcard over, unfold each letter, roll your eyes over Griffin's modest printing/typewriting or Sabine's florid script, you cannot help but feel that this is more than just a pretty book or interesting story. In a very real sense, Griffin and Sabine exist.
So what actually happens?
That's a very good question, actually. The whole tale begins with a postcard, a simple note from one to the other. It spirals from there to a tale of . . . what? Love? Madness? Something else? I have read the books many, many times, and listened to the audio cassettes over and over. And still I'm not exactly sure what happens.
I know that's not a very good answer, but the whole trilogy really could be interpreted many ways. This is far from being a flaw; it forces one to think about it, and think about it some more. This is in fact A Very Good Thing, as Winnie the Pooh might say. (If you think I'm going to reveal what the plot/s is/are in synopsis form, think again. :) )
That said . . .
If you wish to read about my feelings on what did happen in the final book, and thoughts on various aspects of the book, this page is here for your perusal. If you have yet to read the books, I do not recommend reading this page. It may give away more than you care to know about them.