Griffin Moss of Gryphon Cards is an artist. Not just any artist, but a postcard designer. He’s made quite a name for himself in the world of abstract art, but soon, he’s going to discover a fan he never knew existed – one that’s known him ever since he started painting all those years ago. In fact, she’s been able to see everything he’s ever painted – and she lives halfway around the world. Maybe even in another time....
So begins the tranquil, yet cryptic romance between Griffin and his mysterious lady admirer, Sabine, in Nick Bantok's Griffin & Sabine. Sabine herself can’t explain why she has visions of Griffin’s work; she just knows that she loves his art and has even followed in his footsteps, designing stamps for her town’s post office. As the two begin corresponding together, they share intimate moments of artistic passion, detail their own backgrounds and histories, and reveal their innermost heart to one another. Griffin, especially, finds himself quite suddenly in love. But is Sabine really a woman in a far distant land? Or is she something more sinister, a muse or an internal manifestation of Griffin’s need for companionship? In short, is Griffin going insane?
The question continues in the second episode, Sabine’s Notebook, a trip into the mind of the exotic beauty of the tale. Sabine fully believes in Griffin, in his art, in his purpose, in his realness as her true love. But can she convince Griffin - who has abandoned his studio and London for a soul-searching trip around the world - that he should believe in her too? Only a collision with death can shake Griffin’s confused soul into considering the possibility that Sabine really is there - that maybe they really were meant to be together forever. But, just when Griffin becomes convinced he wants to be with his love, they both come to the startling conclusion that neither of them can exist in the same space as the other, not just mentally, but even physically. Are they doomed to an existence of longing but no way of ever laying eyes on each other?
The answers begin to surface in the third part, The Golden Mean. Griffin now believes in Sabine, fully. He and Sabine are angry and confused that their physical presence can’t be felt or seen by the other - just the love, and the letters. But as they continue to search for the answers to this strange and terrifying mystery, a dark figure enters Sabine’s world, a man who seems to know exactly what these two estranged lovers are feeling. Is he the one who can lead them to the answer, or is he just the beginning of a fate far more deadly than they realize?
The beauty of this timeless, mystical story is the incredible originality and extraordinary talents of its author, the great Nick Bantok. Bantok doesn’t merely write a book of romantic prose: his trilogy literally unfolds the lovers’ letters and postcards in vibrant colors, complete addresses and stamps, and – best of all – actual envelopes with removable letters for the reader to peruse at length as if they were receiving the letters themselves. There is nothing quite so thrilling as receiving a letter from a personal friend; receiving them over and over again while watching a romance blossom is even better!
This is a thrilling work that has been and is sure to be treasured for years to come. Artists, poets, and literature lovers alike will enjoy this mystic, poetical piece of art (as well as its sequel, The Morning Star trilogy) that comes complete in boxed sets from many major booksellers.
Buy The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy Boxed Set from Amazon.com!
