The tragic account of the daughter of the so-called ‘Monster of Avignon’ details her emotional turmoil following the realization that the father she believed to be her protector was, in fact, a perpetrator of reprehensible acts. Compounding her distress, she experienced a growing estrangement from her mother, who herself was profoundly affected by severe trauma. This harrowing narrative is captured in her personal diary, revealing the psychological toll of these events on her life.
The recollections depict an idyllic and quintessentially French childhood, characterized by the presence of a devoted and affectionate father figure, fondly referred to as ‘Papa’.
Recalling a winter holiday at age 11, Caroline Darian writes: ‘Winter 1990. A skiing trip to Risoul in the Hautes-Alps. You took me on my first red run, my first red slope. I wasn’t very confident on skis yet. At the top of the slope, you went ahead. Filled with fear, I followed alone, struggling and slipping, learning how to ski.’
‘It takes me nearly two hours to finally reach the bottom. I break down in tears. I scream when I see you. You simply say: ‘You see, you made it in the end. I told you so.’
On another occasion, she recounts their father-daughter bike rides through the French countryside: ‘Your voice urging me as we climbed uphill, ‘Don’t give up! Courage!’ Your joy at reaching the Madeleine pass. We silently take in the breathtaking view together.
There are also recollections of her father in more recent years: “In the shade of the plane tree, with a glass of pastis in your hand, you turn to me with laughter in your eyes.”
