Mona's Eyes has been a huge success in France and across mainland Europe- a novel of love, nostalgia, family connections and most of all the power of Art; to heal; to broaden understanding about being human; to open the mind to the human capacity to create..

Young Mona's world is changed when she loses her sight for one hour- the reason is not clear but her doctor prescribes she sees a psychologist each week to deal with the trauma. But unbeknownst to her parents, the supposed weekly visits are not what they seem- Mona's therapy is a weekly violist to an art gallery with her grandfather to explore a work of art.

Each week a new piece is looked at, discussed and helps Mona to build a knowledge of human innovation, inspiration and self expression.
Travelling from the renaissance to contemporary artists, Mona and her grandfather embark on a magical adventure of discovery.

Each chapter follows a similar format of the life of Mona ; school, family life and trying to make a connection with her grandmother who died some years before; a detailed synopsis of the works of art and the discussion between Mona and her grandfather. The dialogue is powerful ( sometimes the self expression from Mona seems way beyond a 10/11 year old - but maybe the power of art can develop self expression)

Thomas Schlesser rightly so pays acknowledgement to female and male artists over the centuries- a laptop nearby to google the images certainly adds extra depth as wells increasing desire to head to Paris and visit the galleries. ( a book worth exploring alongside is The Story of Art Without Men by Katy Hessel)

Hildegarde Serle's translation is as ever excellent capturing nuances and subtleties especially in the descriptions of art and the conversation between the two generations

This is a novel that will touch many - exploring bereavement and family grief and acceptance of decisions.

Hypnotic in its scope , enchanting and moving as a story and certainly informative about the power of art and art history

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder came to mind - a new world being opened up to a young and curious mind.