A Hymn to Life

Shame has to Change Sides

The sexual assault that rocked the world. A courageous woman’s rallying call for ‘shame to change sides’. For the very first time, Gisèle Pelicot tells her story.

'This is quite something – a really brave, honest and heart-rending memoir' SARAH JESSICA PARKER

'Extraordinary … inspires courage and compassion, but also, crucially, demands change' EMMA THOMPSON

'A page-turning memoir that will move you to live more' GINA MARTIN

A BEST BOOK OF 2026 FOR THE OBSERVER, TELEGRAPH, GUARDIAN, FINANCIAL TIMES, NEW YORK TIMES, DAILY MIRROR, IRISH TIMES, GQ MAGAZINE, LIT HUB, BBC AND MORE

One November day, Gisèle Pelicot was called to a local police station and life as she knew it ended. Her husband of fifty years had been caught by a supermarket guard filming up women’s skirts. But on his computer was shattering evidence: for nearly a decade, he had been secretly drugging and raping her and inviting dozens of strangers into their home to abuse her.

Four years later, he and fifty other men were put on trial and Gisèle’s courage in waiving her right to anonymity made global headlines. ‘Shame must change sides,’ she declared, giving voice and hope to millions. Her words became a rallying cry and her decision marked a turning point in public feeling about sexual violence.

For the first time, and with unwavering honesty and grace, she describes a difficult childhood, first love, her career and motherhood. It is a life in determined search of happiness, both before and after her devastating discovery. She is an ordinary person who faces extraordinary catastrophe, whose example changes the world.

Ultimately, Gisèle Pelicot emerges with a renewed passion and reverence for living, and for love. A Hymn to Life is an unforgettable testament and promise: that victims have no reason to feel ashamed; that even after unimaginable betrayal we can go on; and that colour will always return to life.

‘A Hymn to Life is novelistic and resounds with grace … An extraordinary achievement’ FINANCIAL TIMES

‘A unique memoir by a figure of astonishing power’ GUARDIAN

‘Extraordinarily courageous’ THE TIMES

Contributor: Natasha Lehrer (Translated by), Ruth Diver (Translated by)

Translator: Natasha Lehrer, Ruth Diver

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