The Lamaindonne editions have launched a collection focusing on family photography, a subject often viewed as personal and not always considered high art. In La meilleure, Emmanuelle Lambert explores this theme, examining photographic archives and expanding the idea of family to include friendship as a key element. The book, part of the Lamaindonne series Poursuites et ricochets, is 96 pages long and priced at 20 €. The work questions how the most intimate moments, now easily shared on social media, often fail to provoke deep emotion. In contrast, old, imperfect photographs can stir strong feelings. La meilleure challenges the idea that perfect images move us more than flawed ones, suggesting that imperfections may reflect our own memories and uncertainties, helping us connect with others' experiences. The structure of La meilleure creates a tension between the photographs and the accompanying text, with the text hinting at a secret connection it is about to reveal with the image. This approach aligns with the collection's name, which comes from a phrase by Denis Roche: "Let us not dream... Let the photos be ricochets, and the sentences be pursuits." The narrative is inspired by an epigraph from Leila Guerriero's book, L'appel. Histoire d'une femme argentine, which sets up a kind of mirror game between the "I" and the "you." The best friend, Maïra, a translator from Argentina, is at the center of the story. The book delves into Maïra's family history, including their experience during the Argentine dictatorship and subsequent exile. Maïra's father, an ex-student unionist, narrowly escaped forced disappearance, and the family was among the over a million Argentinians exiled during that time. A photograph of Maïra's return to Argentina after exile is featured in the chapter "The Heart's Depths." This image is particularly powerful, reflecting the lasting impact of the "dictatorial night" in Latin America. The book moves from personal memories to a broader exploration of femininity, looking at the lives of girls and their mothers. It addresses the social structure of feminine destiny, highlighting the tension between the celebration of female passion and the societal roles assigned to women. The book also touches on the uncertain silhouettes of fathers, sometimes distant or blurred, like Maïra's father trimming a hedge or the author's father watching from the background. These figures are spectral and indistinct, inviting reflection on the nature of fatherhood and memory. A photograph of the author's father, provided by Maïra, symbolizes a gift and counter-gift, illustrating how family can be flexible and include friendly figures. Ultimately, La meilleure is a generous book that allows Maïra to take her place in the author's memory, extending the concept of family through friendship. The work suggests that friendship is a chosen family, a theme that resonates throughout the narrative.