I was missing a lot of context when I was reading this. I was reading the archive version, and noticed this was categorized as "toys and moving books," which probably means this was a pop-up book. That could explain the missing...things. I didn't believe any emotional journey these characters were trying to have, let alone their love story. This seemed more like stalking with elements of time travel, and it was unnerving. Writing a book solely in letter/postcard format is extraordinary challenging. It is so ambitious, and so easy to fail at. This book has found success, and lends itself naturally to merchandise: there's real-life stationary and envelopes based on this book for cheap online. The envelopes and stationary are well-designed, clever and fun to read and write on. But the book's story just doesn't work. I'm not even sure this could be--I just--this book wasn't for me. ( )

Griffin & Sabine; an Extraordinary Correspondence. 1991. And Sabine’s Notebook; in which the Corrrespondence of Griffin & Sabine Continues. 1992. Nick Bantock. Reading The Boy, the Mole... made me think of Griffin & Sabine. I had forgotten how charming it was. When I re-read it, I ordered Sabine’s Notebook, and found it equally charming. These whimsical books are more like art. This love story it told in illustrated letters and post cards. The illustrations are what make the book. It is fun to open the envelopes and read the letters and see how the romance is progressing. Not for everyone as I image a lot of people would think they’re silly and a waste of time and money, but I do love them! ( )

Griffin and Sabine is about the correspondence of two people who share a magical connection through art. Sabine can see what Griffin draws and paints as he creates and eventually finds a way to contact him and share her power.

Despite the low page count, there is quite a story within these beautifully designed pages. Each page is either a postcard, or has an actual envelope attached to the page that you can open and pull out the letter inside. Details like this always excite me and I wish more books had special elements like this. As this is the anniversary edition, it comes with a postcard and some stickers as well.

I know I've read this before, but too many years ago to remember, so the story was fresh for me. I loved every page and my only complaint is that it's too short and leaves off on a huge cliffhanger. I, of course, will need to buy the rest of the books. ( )

Wow, this was terrific! This is a fascinating and beautifully designed book. The story is admittedly a little bit thin - but it's intriguing, and I like thin better than over-explained. (So many epistolary stories seem to include more information than I can believe someone would put into a letter.) I understand there are sequels, and I'm torn - I'd love to read more of these, but I liked that ambiguous ending so much I don't really want more. ( )

A fabulist story, building slowly with each new postcard or letter, the ending pleasingly ambivalent. It's satisfying that the pace is slowed with the pauses needed to pull the occasional letter from an envelope, the attention paid to handwriting as well as imagery (stamps, pictures, cancellation marks). Still leaves an impression to interact with the book beyond the standard turning of leaves, and gently ironic given the narrative is rooted in a voyeuristic experience.

The twist is satisfying in that I didn't expect it, exactly, and yet it is fitting. (Julian Jaynes came to mind.) I wonder if the following two books in the initial trilogy, and/or the books of the second, spoil the effect by making too clear a statement about what is going on. ( )