Mona’s Eyes
By: Thomas Schlesser, Hildegarde Serle (Translator)
Genre: Fiction, Art
Number of Pages: 432
Published: August 26, 2025 (1st Published January 31, 2024)
Publisher: Europa Editions
Dates Read: September 11, 2025 - October 18, 2025
Format: ARC / Audiobook / Hardcover

Mona may not have her eyesight for much longer, so her grandfather wants her to learn about beauty while she still can. So, every Wednesday for the next year, her grandfather takes her to see a new masterpiece. Only one, and they discuss it in detail, giving Mona the opportunity to learn the meaning of generosity, doubt, melancholy, loss, and revolt.

I started listening to this as an audiobook and then quickly went out and purchased a copy of it because I loved how the author would describe the works of art – and then to find out the artwork was in the inside of the book’s dust jacket! It did take me looking up the author to make the connection he’s an art historian, which is why he was able to write about the artwork the way he was.

I’m not the biggest art museum lover. I can absolutely appreciate artwork and look at pieces, but not to the extent Mona and her Dadé did on their visits. They would break down the technique used and Henry would give Mona historical context for the pieces as well.

As much as I enjoyed the visits to the museums, you also get a glimpse of Mona and her homelife as well as her school life – both of which I wish we dug more into. 

Overall, a beautiful book art lovers are sure to enjoy but I also think this is a book where those who may not have a deep connection with art, would still enjoy and maybe begin to appreciate art.

*Thank you Europa Editions and Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.