Today's post is on Griffin & Sabine by Nick Bantock. It is 46 pages long and is published by Chronicle Books. It is the first in the Griffin & Sabine trilogy. The cover is a beautiful post card with a parrot on it. There is no language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who loves art, magical fiction, and where the two meet. The story is told from the first person perspective of the main characters are letters to each other. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- 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 suddenly turned upside down by a strangely exotic woman living on a tropical island thousands of miles away. Who is Sabine? How can she "see" what Griffin is painting when they have never met? Is she a long-lost twin? A clairvoyant? Or a malevolent angel? Are we witnessing the flowering of a magical relationship or a descent into madness?
This stunning visual novel unfolds in a series of postcards and letters, all brilliantly illustrated with whimsical designs, bizarre creatures, and darkly imagined landscapes. Inside the book, Griffin and Sabine's letters are to be found nestling in their envelopes, permitting the reader to examine the intimate correspondence of these inexplicably linked strangers. This truly innovative novel combines a strangely fascinating story with lush artwork in an altogether original format.
Review- I love this book. The way that art brings so much to the story, the way Griffin and Sabine interact with art and words together, the story itself, everything. Magical realism is very hard to do but Bantock does it wonderfully. I love epistolary novels and this one takes the cake. With all the art that makes up who Griffin and Sabine are, I just love it. The plot is great magical realism. The ending makes you question what you just read and what you really think is going on here. Is it real or has Griffin gone over the edge? Bantock sweeps you away with the art and the moving love story about two people who need each other. Just a wonderful book.
I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this book with my own money.
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