An Extraordinary Correspondence; Sabine’s Notebook and The Golden Mean
by Nick Bantock
ages: adult
First sentence (of the first one): “Griffin Moss, It’s good to get in touch with you at last.”
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A few weeks ago I was in a reading slump, and I sent out a plea for book ideas on Facebook (and Twitter, and here…). An old friend from high school responded, asking whether or not I’ve read the Griffin and Sabine letters. I hadn’t (hadn’t even heard of them), and so I stuck them on hold at the library.

And, wow! Oh, man, wow! Weird, wild and wonderful, these are books to peruse and savor even though reading one will take you less than an hour. They tell the story of a correspondence, via postcard and letter, between two artists: Griffin, living in London, and Sabine, living in the Solomon Islands. There’s a connection between the two: Sabine can “see” Griffin’s art (it’s a one way street; Grifiin has no idea who Sabine is), and sets about connecting with him. As the books go on, you learn more about Sabine and Griffin, and their relationship become ever more weird and complex. They are bound never to meet: is it because they’re in parallel universes? Is it because they are two sides of the same personality? Who is writing these letters? What is going on? It’s a mystery, and one that is never truly solved.

What really is wonderful about these books, though, is the format. The art — both on the cards and letters as well as the doodles in the margins — is amazing; detailed in some parts, simplistic, reflecting the text in the letters as well as the mood of the writers. But, beyond that, it’s the simple fact of reading the letters — letters! Not texts, not emails; who sends letters anymore? — of opening the envelopes, and removing the letters; of deciphering the handwriting, that gives these books a sense of intimacy, a peek into the lives of two characters in a way that a simple narrative wouldn’t. It’s quite amazing.

I’m just glad I discovered them now, and not back when I would have had to wait for the next book to come out!