Book Review: Kids Run the Show, Delphine de Vigan
A thoughtful French book review of the contemporary novel described as "A cautionary tale for a world in which social media has shattered the boundaries of intimacy."
BOOKSAUDIOBOOKS
7/9/20241 min read
Plot Summary
The story kicks off with the mysterious disappearance of Kimmy, the youngest daughter in a prominent French family of video bloggers. Melanie Claux, the mother, runs some of France’s most influential social media profiles on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where her two children are the main stars. Their online fame has brought them wealth, brand endorsements, and lucrative deals. While they enjoy immense public adoration, they also face envy, negativity, and significant risks. Kimmy’s vanishing act forces Melanie to reassess their lifestyle and the impact of their digital presence.
The novel is structured with brief chapters that shift focus among various characters and include snippets from police reports. This format immerses readers in the unsettling mystery of Kimmy’s disappearance while gradually revealing layers that offer a profound critique of contemporary life.
Character Exploration
The author delves into the psyche of influencers, examining how their public personas affect their emotional well-being. It explores the impact of receiving validation from an anonymous online audience, the split between their public and private selves, and the erosion of personal privacy. The novel reflects on how the rise of reality TV and social media has altered our perceptions of privacy and self-worth, questioning when we began to trade genuine intimacy for online validation.
Overall Impression
In the final chapters, the narrative jumps to 2031, reconnecting with the characters in a plausible future. De Vigan uses this forward leap to explore the long-term effects of living in a digital age where personal lives are constantly shared online. The novel, while not revelatory to those familiar with digital culture, offers a gripping and thought-provoking read that prompts reflection on our relationship with technology. It is accessible and engaging, yet rich in significance.