I really wanted to love Mona’s Eyes. The writing is beautiful and I love the descriptions of the artwork. But the premise and the story meant to carry us from one piece of art to another is simple. Too simple for an adult. I felt like it would be a great book for a parent to read with their child. Mona, the titular character, is a ten year old who learns to appreciate art with her grandfather, who she affectionately refers to as Dade. Visiting the pieces of art through their eyes is pure magic. But perhaps skip everything other than the descriptions and their conversations about it. It doesn’t really guide the story except at the beginning. Mona and Dade are full characters, but everyone else is seen too infrequently to even become partially full characters. I feel like I know some of the artists more than Mona’s parents or friends.

I would have loved to have an engaging story along with the beautiful writing. I’m sure it would’ve gone more quickly for me.