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

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.

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!

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.

I was first introduced to Nick Bantock's work when I was fifteen. I was given a copy of Griffen and Sabine by a Japanese foriegn exchange teacher. It was brilliant and I read it as soon as I opened it. My sister and I were fans and collected the next two books over the next couple of years. Since then, I have bought a number of copies for friends and was delighted when I learned that Bantock was continuing the story with The Gryphon. The Gryphon picks up exactly where the third book leaves off explaining who the mysterious M is and the connection of Griffen and Sabine to the person in the final post card. Bantock effortlessly slips back into the characters of Griffen and Sabine and introduces us to two new, equally as intriguing, characters. The artwork, as always, is stunning. This book is a treat to read. If you've read the trilogy leading up to this, you must also read The Gryphon. If you haven't you should pick up all four books and devour them slowly!

Griffin and Sabine fans: set aside an evening and your favorite chair, and get ready for the adventure to continue. From acclaimed artist and storyteller Nick Bantock, comes the fourth installment of his famed series, "In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Is Rediscovered." Matthew Sedon is an archaeologist working in Egypt, writing postcards and letters to his girlfriend in Paris, Isabella de Reims. One day, Matthew receives a letter from Sabine Strohem, soon followed by copies of her entire correspondence with Griffin Moss. Join Isabella and Matthew as they try and unravel the mystery: is this a real conversation between two people, or an elaborate fiction? And why does it all seem to parallel their own relationship? As always, Bantock's artistry is impeccable, and the postcards and pull-out letters are as beautiful and fun as they have been over the entire series of books. The story is so complex and rich it makes sense to those new to the series, and does not disappoint for die-hard fans.