The Golden Mean: In Which the Extraordinary Correspondence of Griffin & Sabine Concludes Book

Sabine — I was sure I understood. Yet you were not here when I returned and there was no sign that you ever had been here.... Today comes your card saying you were in this house for three days after my return. I am bewildered. I need you badly. — Griffin

In this final volume of the phenomenal, best-selling trilogy begun with Griffin & Sabine and continued in Sabine's Notebook, the mystery of the two artists deepens, their questions grow more urgent. New obstacles (including a sinister intruder) test the tenacity of their passion, and in each letter or postcard, painting and prose are even more richly intertwined. Destined to be the most sought after novel of the year, The Golden Mean builds toward a powerful conclusion that will satisfy the millions of readers already entranced by the spirited, imaginative, enigmatic union of Griffin and Sabine.

With over 50 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and one million copies in print, the first two volumes of this unique trilogy have captured the imagination of readers and reviewers across the country.

Publishers Weekly

Bantock's bewitching trilogy, begun with Griffin & Sabine and Sabine's Notebook , ends with this characteristically curious installment. Once again, Bantock employs his singular brand of visual sorcery to create postcards, stamps and letters that ostensibly travel between two artists--Griffin, a Londoner who has just completed an around-the-world journey, and South Pacific islander Sabine, who insists she awaited his return in London, yet left no sign of her presence. As Griffin wonders whether he and his elusive soul mate occupy ``parallel universes,'' Sabine worries that her telepathic connection to him grows ``murky.'' Desperate to resolve their situation, they seek neutral ground on which to meet. Meanwhile, other questions arise about the nature of their bond. Griffin mentions the death of a woman he loved and receives two threatening postcards from a scientist investigating the ``liaison.'' Bantock's imagery maintains its exoticism, with tantalizing allusions to his previous books, Jungian psychology, mythical ceremonies and the Tarot. If the fictional events here seem more melodramatic and slightly less profound than in earlier volumes, it's because readers know (almost) what to expect. This fantastical and peerless tale--whose conclusion was not revealed to PW --is a must-have for Bantock's collectors. 300,000 first printing. (Sept.)