The Pharos Gate: Griffin & Sabine's Lost Correspondence

by Nick Bantock

Hardcover, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

823.914

Publication

Chronicle Books (2016), 60 pages

Description

Shares the fate of lovers Griffin and Sabine, in a volume published simultaneously with the twenty-fifth-anniversary edition of "Griffin & Sabine."

User reviews

LibraryThing member mabith

This new volume in the Griffin and Sabine series fits right in between the two original trilogies, filling in their journey to Alexandria.

I have perhaps lost most of the romantic idealism that I ever had, but I think it falls short of the original books and the emotion felt a little forced. I

question whether the volume was really necessary, and I'm not convinced it adds to the series.

Unrelated to romanticism, while Griffin and Sabine are trying to elude Frolatti and his mystical agents, perhaps postcards are not the best form of correspondence... Likewise, how on earth is there enough time for the letters to reach them as they're both traveling towards each other. This world has a much more efficient system of mail delivery, apparently. Some of the details were less well-considered than in the originals as well, such as the type written letters. In the original books they're full of typos, adding to the realism (which is necessary in a fantastical series), but in this one they're perfect and in a less real-feeling typewriter font.

As usual, the art is absolutely beautiful, and the enchantment of opening the envelopes and pulling out the pages is lovely. For new readers maybe the extra volume is nice, and perhaps appreciated, though I rather assume the difficulty of receiving mail while on the go is part of why it wasn't done originally.

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LibraryThing member Bookmarque

A much-needed book in the series and one that continues the magical journey of Griffin & Sabine. Having re-read the first six books in anticipation of receiving this one, I found the gap between the final in the first trilogy and the second trilogy to be a bit too much. At the time of their

publication it didn’t stick out, though now it does and I’ve comfortably shelved this book after The Golden Mean. For me it fills in the gap, but still leaves enough to my imagination; something that is so much a part of what makes these books so charming and romantic.

In addition to the main character’s correspondence we get to hear from Griffin’s aunt Maud and her friend in Alexandria. And of course there are a few menacing notes from Frolatti, too. The artwork is of the same quality as in the first three books and it’s still a treat to read them even 25 years since first discovering them.

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LibraryThing member LauraBrook

What a wonderful return to Griffin and Sabine! This was the book that felt like it was missing the last time we saw these two crazy kids. As ever, the artwork and letters are as beautifully haunting and evocative of another time as they always are. The rising tension was palpable, so much so that

by the time I got to the end of the last letter I had to read it three times before I actually processed the words. While providing an ending of sorts, by no means is the door to this story closed. Beautiful and refreshing, I think I'm going to go read it again right now.

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LibraryThing member bluesalamanders

The Pharos Gate is as beautiful as the rest of the Griffin & Sabine series. It is fun to read letters to and from Maud and Maud’s friend Francesa alongside the desperate, lovesick messages by Griffin and Sabine, and the chilling notes from Froletti. Not my favorite book in the series, but a solid

addition.

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LibraryThing member catarina1

I've always enjoyed his illustrations. And the idea of the books. The story however has holes.

LibraryThing member auntmarge64

Seemingly the conclusion to the Griffin and Sabine series, this "sort of" wraps things up, but the ending is pretty nebulous so don't expect a definitive finish. As always the art and correspondence are a treat, but the only question we get answered is whether the two will ever meet. The series as

a whole is satisfying artistically but, to me, disappointing dramatically.

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LibraryThing member kbuxton

I'd strongly encourage reading the previous books in the series before this one. They're all a treat. Stories told in letters and postcards and pictures. This is a fitting end to the series.

LibraryThing member jessibud2

I was thrilled to find this newest book in the Griffin and Sabine sage. Always fun, beautiful and intriguing to read, I was left with much the same feeling as I had with the others: ??? Now what? Nothing has really been resolved and so... can we anticipate another volume soon? Much as I love this

series, I am really curious and eager for some conclusion. Psychologically complex, visually lovely, and in spite of the open-endedness of this story with no end, I find myself somehow addicted...

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LibraryThing member smallwonder56

Nick Bantock's books are deeply satisfying on multiple levels. The Pharos Gate is no exception--it is a beautiful, creative book, well-written and the perfect end to a story that I didn't want to end. Do read the other books before reading this one, and let yourself be drawn into the magical story

of Griffin and Sabine. There is so much fun and intrigue in opening the envelopes to read the cards and letters, to looking at the art in the postcards. This book is amazing and wonderful. I keep a glimmer of hope alive that they'll "resurface" and give us more adventure.

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LibraryThing member MyriadBooks

I've been a fan of Bantock's art since first shown a Griffin and Sabine book fifteen years ago, and it's fantastic to see Bantock find new things to show us. But I am a fan primary of the art and not quite as much the story, which is as beautiful and coherent as as a fevered dream -- and as other

reviewers have said, it would be nice to see a conclusion.

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LibraryThing member Storeetllr

I was so excited to find this book in my mailbox that I tore open the envelope while sitting in my car in the driveway and started reading right away. When I finished, I was still sitting in the car in the driveway, uncaring that my neighbors were giving me looks. Such a fun series - lovely art,

weird but compelling story, interesting but weird characters, great concept of opening envelopes and reading other people's mail. I now have four of these books on my shelf and think it's time to get the rest of the series so I can reread from start to finish in one fever-dream-like binge.

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LibraryThing member fundevogel

I was somewhere between 11 and 14 the first time I read the Griffin & Sabine Trilogy. Between the art and the epistolary format my young mind was blown. At 32 I am a different reader.

I still think the first book, Griffin & Sabine, is a beautiful mystery, told with a deft touch. However, the sequels

were less satisfying. The first book stands on its own and benefits from the limited view presented through letters and letters alone. The followups, unfortunately, extend the story using plot convenience to restrict the character interactions within the post, while telling us too much to maintain the mystery.

As far as the sequels go, The Pharos Gate is among the better ones. The art, as always, is beautiful. Butthe real improvement over The Golden Mean and Sabine's Notebook is that it is no longer tethers to the lovers' perspectives. Correspondence relating to the story between other characters offer a fresh voice and angle to a story that had become bogged down with the increasingly unbearable lovers and their cosmic fantasies.

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LibraryThing member theresearcher

Having read the previous 6 books in elementary/middle school, I was happy to see this one available. It fits right in to the series, with beautiful artwork and mysterious narrative. If you liked the others, you'll like this one too ;)

LibraryThing member SeriousGrace

Griffin and Sabine. I sigh to hear their names. Their backstory is such: Griffin is an artist in damp and dreary London. One day he receives an unusual postcard from a woman claiming to have the ability to see his art as he is creating it...except Sabine is somewhere in the South Pacific. Trying to

make sense of her unusual voyeurism into his creation before it is fully formed forces Griffin to continue a correspondence with her. Soon they fall in love without ever meeting. [Been there.] Subsequent volumes have Griffin and Sabine trying to cross the divide to see each other face to face, but their efforts are thwarted at every turn. In Pharos Gate the star-crossed couple discover a safe place to meet: at Pharos Gate in Alexandria. With the help of a friend Griffin sets off across the globe to reach his love. And reach her, he does. But! Supposedly, this is the final book in the series and yet Bantock leaves his audience hanging once again...I adore it.

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LibraryThing member PaperCrystals

A very pretty companion to the original books. Satisfying and interesting!

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