Summary
Highlights
Clara, a detective, walks home, reflecting on peculiar encounters where strangers comment on her appearance, often perceiving her as younger. This leads her to ponder if something about her invites such intrusions or if it's mere coincidence. At 33, she feels stuck between youth and old age. The disappearance of 6-year-old Kimy deeply affects the police department, especially those who are parents. Clara remembers a conversation with Thomas in Paris where she expressed her unwillingness to have children, fearing the inherent dangers and tragedies of the world, and her personal aversion to being involved in such cases. This decision, expressed after lovemaking, created a small distance between them.
Clara begins researching the 'API Récré' YouTube channel focused on the missing child, Kimy. The channel features Kimy and her brother Sami unboxing toys, describing their excitement, and testing gadgets, board games, or consoles. Their mother, Mélanie, narrates these videos, which garnered millions of views. The section hints at a deeper, masked ennui behind Mélanie's cheerful online persona.
After Sami's birth, Mélanie experienced a profound sadness despite appearing physically well. Her days became predictable, leading to moments of emptiness and emotional distress after her husband left for work. She felt disconnected and often wandered aimlessly, even avoiding the park with Sami because she lacked the energy to interact with other mothers. She found solace in watching reality TV shows like 'Les Anges', reminiscing about her own brief, unsuccessful television appearance, which she saw as a personal failure to achieve fame.
Encouraged by her husband Bruno, Mélanie joined Facebook a year after Sami's birth. Initially, this provided a much-needed social outlet, allowing her to connect with others, share photos, and exchange parenting advice and recipes. She actively participated in groups, feeling a sense of belonging. Her involvement peaked when she was nominated for the 'Motherhood Challenge', a viral trend celebrating motherhood. She meticulously selected four photos, presenting an idealized image of maternal fulfillment, which earned her widespread praise. This success led her to post more photos of Sami, constantly innovating scenes and backdrops to showcase her child and garner more likes and comments.
Mélanie's second pregnancy was difficult, requiring weeks of bed rest, which she concealed from her social media followers to maintain her 'supermom' image. She continued to seek advice on parenting forums, though the increasing aggression online disheartened her. Meanwhile, her parents, now retired, had moved closer to her sister, Sandra, who lived a seemingly perfect life with three children and a supportive husband. Mélanie felt a deeper pang of jealousy as her parents lavished attention on Sandra's children, often posting their photos on Facebook. Her own son, Sami, was rarely looked after by his grandparents, who found fault in him. This disparity in treatment, perceived in subtle yet profound ways by Mélanie, caused her significant pain and even tears.
Mélanie discovered YouTube after Kimy's birth, finding comfort and community in videos where mothers shared their experiences. She was drawn to the authenticity and relatability of these videos. The algorithm led her to new channels, and she increasingly abandoned Facebook for what she saw as a more open and creative platform. She spent hours browsing, discovering new information and stories. A pivotal moment came when she found 'Minibus Sam', a channel by a father featuring his daughters unboxing toys, which had rapidly gained subscribers. Mélanie studied his methods, analyzing what captivated young audiences. When Kimy was almost three, Mélanie launched her own channel, first featuring Kimy singing nursery rhymes, then incorporating stuffed animals to illustrate the songs. After passing 5,000 subscribers, she introduced toy unboxings. Sami later joined the videos, and the channel, initially 'Kim the Singer', became 'Kim and Sami in Happy Récré'. Their brother-sister dynamic was highly praised, leading to rapid growth in subscribers and views. YouTube contacted them about monetization, brands sought product placements, and their apartment filled with packages. Bruno eventually quit his job, and they expanded their living space to include a dedicated studio for filming and editing, constantly innovating to stay at the top and leave boredom behind.