But Sabine’s Notebook is also a sketchbook and a diary.

Once again, the story is told in strangely beautiful postcards and richly decorated letters that must actually be removed from their envelopes to read.

Initially anyway, the countries he visits take him backward in history-Rome, Greece, Egypt. The art reflects his travels and his new found determination that Sabine is real. In Sabine’s Notebook: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Continues, Sabine travels to London to Griffin’s studio but, faced with the terrifying prospect of meeting his own fictional character, Griffin flees and, as he travels the world, corresponds with Sabine at home in his house. The artwork (particularly Sabine’s) starts out with jewel like colors and items from nature: parrots, salamanders and goldfish.īut as the book progresses and Sabine tells Griffin more and more of the things she has seen so that he cannot deny the truth of what she is telling him, Griffin seems to lose his grip on sanity and paints increasingly darker subjects: sightless naked baby birds and apocalyptic landscapes. Sabine is also an artist, and the artwork of the two adorns the postcards and envelopes that they exchange.Īs the first book opens, Sabine contacts Griffin for the first time. I don’t think I really give anything away by telling you that Sabine somehow “shares (Griffin’s) sight” and can see his paintings as he creates them. And since each letter must be pulled from its own envelope, the reader has the delightful, forbidden sensation of reading someone else’s mail.”Īn illustrated novel, Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence is a beautiful book. How did she know him? How did she know his artwork? Who is she? Thus begins the strange and intriguing correspondence of Griffin and Sabine. Could I have one of your fish postcards? I think you were right - the wine glass has more impact than the cup.” –Sabineīut Griffin had never met a woman named Sabine. From : “Griffin: It’s good to get in touch with you at last.

The griffin and sabine trilogy