They say you should not judge a book by its cover, but who could resist a cover such as the one for Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser, adorned by the luminous eyes of Vermeer’s ‘The Girl with a Pearl Earring’? I love novels that connect with art, and this book was a real treat. It is about a ten-year-old girl named Mona who lives in Paris. After a terrifying episode where she loses her sight for an hour, she begins eye tests and is at risk of losing her sight forever. Her grandfather, painfully aware that Mona’s home is not filled with things of beauty, begins taking her once a week to look at a famous work of art. Together they visit the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and Beaubourg (the Pompidou Centre). Each week, grandfather gets the girl to stand and simply look, and he then explains something of the work’s background to her, telling her about the artist, his or her aims, and how the artwork was originally received. He and Mona discuss their reactions to the painting or sculpture. He treats her as an adult, and is giving her the lessons instead of taking her to a psychiatrist – each week Mona learns valuable lessons not only about art, but about life.
I loved this book and learned so much from it about a huge range of art works, from extremely classic to extremely modern. I felt like I was there in the gallery with Mona and her grandfather, having my eyes opened to what makes a certain work great. The cover of the book openes out to include pictures of all 52 art works, so I was constantly moving between page and picture as I checked out visual details. In this erudite journey through five centuries of art history, each chapter reveals the deep lessons that art can teach, and also keeps you enthralled as you watch Mona’s development and find out what is wrong with her eyesight.
This novel was written in French (Les Yeux de Mona) and was translated by Hildegarde Serle. It has become an international bestseller. My only complaint is that it was hard to believe Mona’s age – she is ten but turns eleven in the course of the novel. I don’t know any girls of that age with such an advanced vocabulary, or such powers of concentration and grip on complex themes. However, I found the book poignant and learned so much from it, so I can highly recommend it.
Did you spend time with a favourite relative while you were growing up? Tell me your thoughts by leaving a comment.
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Heather Grant
Thanks for this recommendation Susannah. It’s on “My want Book” List. I loved Girl with the Pearl Earring….I thought it was beautifully written.
Very much enjoying Great Writers and the Cats that Owned Them. Love pussycats
Susannah Fullerton
I hope you enjoy it – I found it most unusual and intriguing.
I am delighted you are enjoying my book!!!
Maria
Thank you for highlighting this book, Susannah. I too love novels that connect with art. I often find them more powerful and satisfying than non-fiction books on art, and they’re a great way to explore less well known (to me) artworks. Warmest congratulations on the publication of your newest book!