The Forgetting Room

Years ago, I read Bantock’s Griffin and Sabine tetralogy and was thoroughly enchanted by their long-distance courtship. The drawings and postcards and letters provided an air of mystery and a sense of peeking into the private lives of Griffin and Sabine. I lost touch with Bantock, until I came across this volume at a used book sale.

I read it in one sitting – interrupted only by a steaming bowl of Southwestern Stew my wife made last weekend. The Spanish connection was mildly eerie.

This book tells the story of Armin Hurt who travels to Rondo, Spain to dispose of his grandfather’s house, which he inherited on the old man’s death. He was close to his grandfather, but when Armin’s family moved to Chicago, they lost touch. show more Grandfather put a game inside the house with clues, so Armin could, in the words of Rafael’s will, “find his belonging.”

Enchanting, absorbing, full of surprises and neat tricks of the mind, spirit, and body. Bantock has at least two other books, and I must find them. Five stars

--Jim, 12/27/08 show less

I was a little bit disappointed in this book. The collage that develops throughout the book was (in my opinion) somewhat overworked, until the painting of a bridge which was the starting point of the work virtually disappears. The process of the creation of the work is interesting, but it is given so much weight that the story, like the bridge, seems to collapse beneath it. The "game" or puzzle left for the protagonist by his grandfather is visually wonderful but again not really compelling as a story. The woman who makes a cameo appearance wanders off again, and so did I.

An artist embarks upon a spiritual journey after inheriting his grandfather's house in Spain.

This isn't Bantock's best work, but it's an interesting read nonetheless. I wasn't too impressed with it after my first reading, but now that I've read it twice I find that I have more of an appreciation for the message behind the admittedly simple story. This is a book about memory, family, art and self discovery. It doesn't offer any big answers, but it poses some interesting questions.

Bantock's works are always beautiful. This book is no exception- the puzzle card inside it is gorgeously weird. However, the story suffers. Why?
Because it's less a story than a device for outlining the artist's process and sense of discovery within art. The majority of the book is divided between the main character's reminscences of his grandparents (as he tries to decipher the puzzle they've left behind) and rediscovering his own artistic skills. The solution to the puzzle ends up being somewhat contrived and unsatisfying. The visuals save this book. Typical Nick Bantock, these visuals are stunning.

Charming, somewhat of a puzzle, very well crafted.

Good writing and collages, not big on story, but not boring.

A great tale starring two attractive characters with Bantock's fabulous designs