Alexandria: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Unfolds

Morning Star Trilogy #2

by Nick Bantock

Matthew—
You have felt Isabella's heat and the experience unnerved you. What if I were to tell you that your fears are back to front, that your failure to let go and fully embrace Isabella is the thing most likely to destroy you? That your coming together is an essential part of a grand design?
—Sabine

Intrigue turns to danger and romance turns to passion as Matthew Sedon and Isabella de Reims, lovers separated by continents, struggle to make sense of a world beyond experience. Only the guidance of Griffin Moss and Sabine Stroheim—experienced navigators of myth and reality—can keep them safe. In Egypt, mysterious forces vie to keep Matthew away from his archeological dig just as he is about to make a vital discovery, one that may explain his increasingly strange and strong connection with Sabine. In the boulevards of Paris, under Griffin's tutelage, Isabella learns to trust her own powerful instincts.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Art, Romance, Graphic Novels, Magical Realism, Adult Fiction

58 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Nick was schooled in England and has a BA in Fine Art (painting). He has authored 25 books, 11 of which have appeared on the best seller lists, including 3 books on The New York Times top ten at one time. Griffin & Sabine stayed on that list for over two years. His works have been translated into 13 languages and over 5 million have been sold worldwide. Once named by the classic SF magazine Weird Tales as one of the best 85 storytellers of the century. He has written articles and stories for numerous international newspapers and magazines. His Wasnick blogs are much followed on Facebook and Twitter. His paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages and prints have been exhibited in shows in UK, France and North America. In 2010 Nick's major retrospective exhibition opened at the MOA in Denver. His works are in private collections throughout the world. Nick has a lifetime BAFTA (British Oscar) for the CD-ROM game Ceremony of Innocence, created with Peter Gabriel's Real World, featuring Isabella Rossolini and Ben Kingsley. He has two iPad apps, Sage and The Venetian and is working on a third. Three of his books have been optioned for film and his stage play based on the Griffin & Sabine double trilogy premiered in Vancouver in 2006.

Produced artwork for more than 300 book covers (including works by Roth and Updike), illustrated Viking Penguin's new translation of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. He's designed theater posters for the London plays of Tom Stoppard and Alec Guinness.

For 20 years Bantock has spoken and read to audiences throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Given keynote and motivational speeches to corporations and teachers state conferences. He's given dramatic readings on the radio and the stage and has been interviewed (way too many times) for TV, radio and print.

Bantock has worked in a betting shop in the East End of London, trained as a psychotherapist, designed and built a house that combined an Indonesian temple and a Russian orthodox church with an English cricket pavilion and a New Orleans bordello. Between 2007 and 2010 was one of the twelve committee members responsible for selecting Canada's postage stamps.

Among the things Bantock can't do: Can't swim, never ridden a horse, his spelling is dreadful and his singing voice is flat as a pancake.

Source: Nick Bantock - profile

Reviews

[Sarah Bodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy it was to discover these 6 books some 20 years after the first in the series was published. I don't understand how I could have missed them for so long. I can only assume it was Frolatti's doing.


The Gryphon and Alexandria arrived in the mail today. Now I have to wait for The Morning Star to arrive from a second hand book seller on the East coast. I can't stand it. I could be waiting weeks for that Star to rise. It is like waiting for a postcard from a lover far away and in danger.

[Kaila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hello I am a series that lost its magic how are you

[Jean Fendick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read griffin and sabine many years ago and found this one in the thrift store the other day. I don't remember the whole story but loved the idea of reading personal correspondence and unfolding each letter. I don't write or receive many handwritten letters these days -- it's a pity.

Just finished and realized I read it out of order but really I don't feel the need to read the books I missed in the series. The idea is nice but the story didn't really capture me.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THESE!!!
I’m reading out of order I’m afraid but I can’t wait until book 4 arrives. So I’ll just have to read them all again in order. So good.

[Jami M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that’s unfortunate. What a ridiculous turn of events. This is not going as I would have hoped. A lackluster romance. Nick Bantok, what gives?

[The Story Girl (Serenity) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't say I understood this any more than the last book, and I'm wondering if we'll ever get answers. The artwork is intriguing, not that I understood that either.

[Amber DiTullio · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Note: This review covers all three books in the series - The Gryphon , Alexandria and The Morning Star .)

The Morning Star Trilogy is the second trilogy of books regarding Griffin and Sabine. But this time, Griffin and Sabine are in the background, guiding another pair of lovers together in an effort to stop Frolatti from some horrible plot. In the forefront of this story are Matthew Sedon, a young archaeologist in Alexandria with a connection to Sabine (she helped deliver him) and Isabella de Reims, a student in Paris and Matthew's lover. Isabella often has waking dreams, views into the psyche of the world. The letters are primarily between Matthew and Isabella, though Sabine does contact Matthew on occasion and Griffin keeps in contact with Isabella. There are shades of the beginnings of Griffin and Sabine's romance within these correspondence - primarily with Matthew's doubts regarding Sabine.

Unlike the previous trilogy, there is more of a sense of menace with this trilogy. There is active evil in the unseen Frilotti and his cohorts. But getting Matthew to understand the seriousness of what is happening (within the first book) is a large part of the first book.

I'll be honest. The second trilogy fell flat with me. It still had the beautiful artwork of the first trilogy, but the magic wasn't quite there. I think the addition of "the next generation" just didn't work as well. My husband, of course, thinks I'm crazy as he loved them as much as the first trilogy. But for me, Griffin and Sabine had a simplicity beneath the complications of their circumstance. Something primal about the connection and the love they shared. But adding Matthew and Isabella complicated that. And it just didn't sit as right with me.

The series was ok... worth reading at least once. But it didn't, in my mind, live up to the magic of the first trilogy.

[Hotavio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandria perpetuates the story of Griffin and Sabine, two lovers who amalgamated to become the Golden Mean. Their existence becomes more perplexing as they are clearly cognates of two other lovers, Matthew and Isabelle. An enigma begins to unravel as dreams become interpreted and a major archealogical find is unearthed in Egypt. Meanwhile, the series antagonist is back in force.

The art is this book was more enjoyable the most of the other books. A majority of it uses Egyptian imagery and symbols. I also enjoyed the references to Ptolemaic Egypt and its cross- culturism. I am eager to see how the cultural polarism revealed in the archeological find relates to whaty is going on in the world of these characters. At the same time, this is the fifth of these books that I have read and I am eager to cap the series off. Luckily, new aspects become introduced which serve to keep my interest.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

So.. Yeah.. I have no idea what to say here..

I really hope the last one in the series gives me some kind of an ending, to this crazy story, that I'll understand and... yeah well, just an ending I'll understand.. lol

I thought the first 3 books were kind of amazing, these last two though.. The story is getting weirder by every postcard you read..

I still love the format of the books though.. Amazing artwork!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books are strange, but for some reason I keep reading them. I did not enjoy this book as much as the others. I loved how the majority of it took place in Egypt and the artwork was fabulous as always, but the letters were a tad boring. I am hoping that the final book has a good ending and that I am not disappointed.

[SLT · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series is exceptional, gorgeous, and romantic, both to read and to look at. Read his first trilogy many, many years ago, and have been enchanted ever since. I think this is what books like Ship of Theseus and even the Da Vinci Code are trying desperately to emulate, and failing catastrophically. A perfect escape!!!

[Gv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story, so very poetic. Apparently part of a series (I just bought the previous part), but it stands alone quite well. And most of all, this is a beautiful books, the illustrations, the letters that you can unfold... everything perfectly crafted. Loved it !

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[The Adaptable Educator · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Alexandria, Nick Bantock once again proves himself a master of the epistolary form, seamlessly blending visual artistry and literary craftsmanship. This novel, the fifth in the Griffin & Sabine series, continues the enigmatic and often surreal correspondence between Griffin Moss, a London-based artist, and Sabine Strohem, a mysterious illustrator from the South Pacific. In this iteration, their letters are joined by those of a third party, Matthew Sedon, an archaeologist, and Isabella de Reims, a French scholar—introducing new layers to the already complex web of intrigue and mysticism.

At first glance, Alexandria appears to be a continuation of the previous books' correspondence and visual style, but Bantock deepens his thematic exploration in this entry. While previous volumes focused on the duality of distance and connection, reality and fantasy, Alexandria delves into the nature of knowledge itself, posing existential questions about the boundaries between personal history and collective memory. The novel’s namesake—the ancient city of Alexandria—functions as a metaphorical site of lost wisdom, bridging the present with the long-forgotten. It evokes an atmosphere of intellectual yearning, of seeking what may be forever out of reach.

Bantock's blending of letters and artwork creates a deeply immersive experience. Each envelope, postcard, and artifact serves not only as a plot device but also as a reflection of the characters' inner lives. The illustrations are not simply complementary but integral, demanding a visual literacy from the reader that is rare in contemporary literature. This dynamic is reminiscent of early modernist works, where form and content are indivisible, and it calls to mind the artistic ambitions of the Surrealists, who sought to disrupt the linearity of narrative and consciousness itself.

One of the most striking aspects of Alexandria is its manipulation of time. The letters between the characters exist in different temporal spaces, which lends an unsettling quality to the narrative. Griffin and Sabine’s mystical bond seems to transcend the ordinary flow of time, a concept that Bantock plays with masterfully, suggesting that time itself is subjective, tied more to the emotional and psychological states of the characters than to any objective chronology.

In this sense, Alexandria can be seen as a meditation on temporality and the role of art in capturing the ephemeral. The novel implicitly argues that art, whether visual or textual, is a form of resistance against the erasure of time. By chronicling the correspondence of his characters, Bantock is not just telling a story—he is preserving a moment in history, both personal and universal.

The dialogue between the past and present, between ancient Alexandria and the contemporary world, hints at a deeper exploration of the act of remembering. Bantock’s prose, elegant and sparse, mimics the structure of his plot. He resists giving readers easy answers, instead inviting them to grapple with the story's ambiguities. The letters, like the city of Alexandria itself, hold secrets that may never be fully deciphered.

While Alexandria is a visually stunning and intellectually stimulating read, its pacing may frustrate readers accustomed to more traditional narrative structures. The epistolary form, while engrossing, can feel disjointed at times, particularly as the novel juggles multiple voices and points of view. However, this very quality is what makes Bantock’s work so unique—it is a novel that demands patience, contemplation, and an openness to the fluid boundaries between form and meaning.

In conclusion, Alexandria is more than a continuation of Griffin and Sabine’s story; it is a philosophical exploration of the power of art, memory, and love. Bantock’s ability to weave together visual and literary elements creates a deeply immersive narrative that resonates on both intellectual and emotional levels. For those willing to engage with its complex structure and themes, Alexandria offers a rich and rewarding experience, a reminder that the boundaries of time and space can be transcended through the simple act of communication.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenges: Book-a-day-May/Book 8/31; Reading Goal Posts/Stacking the Series 2022 - Priority Three/Tier One. An appreciation of Bantock's mysterious and beautiful postal art with removable letters to read as the written word among four people contains a conundrum of how each is being affected by the other; how each is a muse and how one may be a threat. Partially set in Egypt, the story renders the relationship of artists and the inspiration they depend on which questions who the creator really is. A trilogy within a series, a series that should be on the creative bookshelf to read and gaze at over and over.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is something so forbidden and fun about reading someone elses letters. A secret window into another person, another relationship, a mystery wrapped in paper.
I had a few weeks since the first Griffin and Sabine books, so some of my frustrations with the plot (more accurately, with the lack of plot) were dulled, and for the first half I could just enjoy the book. Its a really fun idea, a great experience to open the envelopes and read the letters.
But then, once you've read enough of what the letters contain, there is no choice but to sigh and roll your eyes.
Its a shining example of a concept I adore, and a follow through that disappoints me.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Bantock, we meet again. But it's awkward, because I just sat through what I can only describe as a phone sex art museum. I don't need to hear about how Matthew can "feel Isabella's heat" (dude is halfway across the world from her, so unless she's the Sun deviating from its celestial orbit and heading straight for Egypt, I highly doubt he's feeling anything but blue-balled). Gag. I did not sign up for all this weird sensual philosophical new-world communal psycho-spiritual craycray. I just want the protagonists (Griffin and Sabine, because despite your best efforts, I still don't care about Izzy and Matthew) to meet. That's all I want. You can do that. Surely, if you can make the story take place in Alexandria (are you trying to say the edition where they meet was burned down like the library?), you can make Griffin and Sabine cross that metaphysical plane you invented to make this so many books and just shake hands and have some Starbucks. Or Marrakech Mint tea, or whatever suits your nomadic, thieving heart. Shoot, I legit don't care if they meet and hate each other, or if Sabine is actually a dude, or if Griffin is a cyborg, or if one of them is a crack addict...just let them meet. I promise, everything will take care of itself from there.

[Kaden Herchenroether · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost wish I had never ordered these books from the library. Griffin and Sabine, I used to adore you. Now, I hardly know you. Now, I’m not sure if I want to.

It used to be about love. It used to be star-crossed, something akin to kismet. Now it’s all cultural comparisons and mysterious circumstances and hurried scrawls of affection. It is not like it used to be.

It was still fun to read. The pictures and the drawings were still beautiful. But I’m just not interested in the storyline anymore.

[Kelly Sedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series--epistolary novels where the letters and postcards are actual art objects, where you have to literally remove the letters from their envelopes. Magic, mystery, love, time, space--all themes Bantock explores in these short books, all of which can be read in a single evening for a wonderful escape. Fantastic stuff! (I'm using the same review for all six books. Read them in order.)

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are all whimsical and imaginative in their form and content. The focus here shifts somewhat to other characters who don't share Griffin and Sabine's artistry, which means the postcard art isn't as dazzling as in some of the previous books. The storyline remains whacky and opaque, but it's still fun if you don't mind the never-resolving mystery these books offer.

[b (tobias forge's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The further along the series goes, the better I think it captures the mingled euphoria and terror of loving another person. Over the last couple of volumes, I came to interpret alchemy as a metaphor for the joining of two dissimilar people, and Frolatti's sinister machinations as a metaphor for the ways that fear and distrust sabotage love.

[Margi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Griffin and Sabine have disappeared and suddenly Sabine appears and asks for help from and archeologist in Egypt. This book is filled with danger and strange forces. Matthew and Isabella must unlock the secret world they have become a part of.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The connectedness of Griffin, Sabine, Matthew, and Isabella is becoming more clear and I’m wondering what the end game is, but the intermingling details and art and big events are all so exciting.

I’m excited to see what happens next!

[Robert Hudder · Rating 2 out of 5]

So it begins again. This series feels as if it is a restart and a way to try and shed more meaning on the previous one. A retelling of sorts and an expansion of possible meaning. This time more focus is on driving to the end.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this one!!!

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am growing fond of Matthew and Isabella. The plot seems to thicken. However, I am still left in confusion. I have yet to finish the series.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extra Book #21.. not for the EBN Challenge.

Part 2 of the second trilogy. Again the art is awesome. The story gets a little choppy and kinda strange to follow, but I still very much like the book

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what? I originally gave this four stars, but I’m lowering it to three.
- a lot of toodling around not doing much.
- nothing is ever explained.
- sexting is fine, but that doesn’t mean I want to read it.

[Wen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I enjoy the mystery unfolding in the series, this book felt flat--as if what was meant to be said couldn't quite be captured.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4.5 stars