Mona's Eyes
by Thomas Schlesser
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Pub Date Aug 26 2025 | Archive Date Aug 26 2025
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Description
"Vibrant debut ... Schlesser seamlessly interweaves the art lessons with Mona's story ... Readers of Jostein Gaarder's Sophie's World will love this." —Publishers Weekly
Ten-year-old Mona and her beloved grandfather have only fifty-two Wednesdays to visit fifty-two works of art and commit to memory "all that is beautiful in the world" before Mona loses her sight forever.
While the doctors can find no explanation for Mona's brief episode of blindness, they agree that the threat of permanent vision loss cannot be ruled out. The girl's grandfather, Henry, may not be able to stop his granddaughter from losing her sight, but he can fill the encroaching darkness with beauty.
Every Wednesday for a year, the pair abscond together and visit a single masterpiece in one of Paris's renowned museums. From Botticelli to Basquiat, Mona learns how each artist's work shaped the world around them. In turn, the young girl's world is changed forever by the power of their art. Under the kind and careful tutelage of her grandfather, Mona learns the true meaning of generosity, melancholy, love, loss, and revolution. Her perspective will never be the same — nor will the reader's.
Mona's Eyes is a heartfelt, enlightening journey across five centuries of Western art history. With the emotional impact of The Elegance of the Hedgehog and the readability of The Little Paris Bookshop, Thomas Schlesser's sensational debut novel is at once a moving book about the beauty of life and a deeply touching story about the special bond between a girl and her grandfather.
Discover all 52 masterpieces inside the fold-out dustjacket.
A Note From the Publisher
- Art Enthusiasts: Readers passionate about art history and the cultural significance of iconic masterpieces.
- Fans of Literary Fiction: Those who enjoy character-driven novels with rich emotional landscapes and profound themes.
- Intergenerational Stories Lovers: Readers drawn to narratives exploring deep connections between grandparents and grandchildren.
- Contemplative Readers: Individuals seeking a reflective and poetic story about love, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life.
- Book Clubs: Groups looking for a moving, thought-provoking novel that inspires discussions about art, family, and the essence of beauty.
- Comp titles: Sophie’s World, Life of Pi, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The Kite Runner, Klara and the Sun, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, The Art of Hearing Heartbeats
KEY SELLING POINTS
- International Acclaim: This sensational French novel has captivated audiences worldwide, becoming a literary phenomenon praised for its poetic prose and universal appeal. Bestseller in France, weeks at no.1, over 300K sold
- Translation deals in 37 countries and counting; reached top 10 in all the countries where it’s been published so far
- A Heartfelt Exploration of Art and Life: Mona’s Eyes intertwines the emotional journey of a young girl and her grandfather with a rich exploration of art, showcasing 52 masterpieces from Botticelli to Basquiat.
- Profound Emotional Depth: The novel captures the full range of human emotions, blending themes of beauty, loss, love, and resilience as Mona prepares for the impending loss of her sight.
- Intergenerational Bonding: The touching relationship between Mona and her grandfather highlights the power of shared experiences and the passing down of knowledge and love.
- An Accessible Gateway to Art History: Mona’s Eyes introduces readers to some of the world’s most renowned artworks in an engaging and relatable narrative, making art history approachable for all.
Advance Praise
An instant #1 bestseller in France
Winner of the RTL-Lire Literary Magazine Grand Prix 2024
Debuted at #2 in Italy
“It’s an earthquake. A seismic shift in the world of publishing. A Sophie’s World set in the art world. Thomas Schlesser. Remember the name.”—Alice Develey, Le Figaro
“An ode to beauty and wisdom.”—Le Parisien
“Mona’s Eyes is not only an introductory novel about art; it is also a universal tale.”—La Croix
“The phenomenal novel that makes you want to run to the museum... Better than Emily in Paris.”—Télerama
“Fabulous!”—France Inter
“Thomas Schlesser is the world champion of dissemination. A brilliant book.”—Télématin
“A tender and absolutely captivating book.”—La grande librairie
“A wonderful and poignant story.”—Courrier Picard
“Telling the story of a little girl who is introduced to beauty and life, Mona’s Eyes as sparked an exceptional level of enthusiasm.”—RTL
“This incredibly buzzy debut is something like if an acclaimed art historian had written All the Light We Cannot See… It feels passionate and engaging and really captures the freshness and wonder of understanding art, the world, growing up, through the eyes of a child.”—Miriam Gordis, Albertine Bookstore, New York, NY
Marketing Plan
Marketing & Publicity
- Major Press campaign with dedicated publicist
- Special custom notebooks and POS
- Print & e-galleys available
- National and regional media
- Author at Winter Institute
- Author media trip to New York (Winter 2025)
- Author tour on publication
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9798889661115 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 432 |
Available on NetGalley
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