The sadness of the underlying story in this novel is only matched by the beauty of the art that connects a girl and her grandfather to their life together. As they race against time to fill her memory with the best of over 500 years worth of Western art, Mona learns what it means to cherish, to love, to lose that which she loves, and to sustain life in the midst of great trauma. For Mona appears to be losing her eyesight (if her short experience of blindness foretells the outcome) since her doctors have no idea what’s wrong. So the two of them have a plan: Can she and her grandfather visit at least one masterpiece each week for a year, gaining an understanding of what underlies the works and their mesmerizing detail so she will at least have her memories of beauty to savor in the future? In telling Mona’s story, the author, Thomas Schlesser, shares with us his obvious love of the masters’ works and the power of art to lift us above our pain. I believe translator Hildegarde Serle captures his intent perfectly. This one’s for fans of great artwork but also readers who love a good story, with compelling characters and a challenge to see life in a new way. It makes an excellent book club choice, as well!
–Linda, Auntie’s Books, Spokane, WA
Celebrate new books and classic art with volumes from Auntie’s Books and other independent bookstores. Don’t miss the images of all the art from the book on the inside of the dust jacket of the hardcover!
