A Hymn to Life

Shame Has to Change Sides

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“A rousing feminist manifesto.” – The New York Times Book Review

“Staggering . . . a lyrical book about monstrous events, a compelling exploration of what it feels like to hold two existences in your brain at once.” – Washington Post

“Deeply vulnerable.” – USA Today

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

In 2024, Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity in her legal fight against her ex-husband and the fifty men accused of sexually assaulting her, a courageous decision that inspired millions of people around the world. Only four years prior, Gisèle had made the shattering discovery that her partner, Dominique Pelicot, had been secretly drugging and raping her, and inviting strangers to also abuse her in their home for nearly a decade. “Shame must change sides,” Gisèle bravely declared at the opening of the trial in Avignon, France, and the dictum soon became an international rallying cry to radically transform public sentiment and legislation surrounding cases of sexual violence. By the time Dominique and the dozens of men accused were found guilty three and a half months later, Gisèle had become a global figure, and her message—that she and other victims of sexual abuse have no reason to feel ashamed—galvanized a movement that triggered protests and demonstrations around the world.

In A Hymn to Life, Gisèle tells her story for the very first time, not as victim, but as witness. Beginning in 2020, when she received the first phone call from a local police station, Gisèle recounts the fateful investigation that turned her life inside out. With unwavering honesty and devastating grace, she retraces the steps of a life built over the course of five decades, the final decade of her marriage and its hidden abuse, and the long path of emotional healing that ensues. As Gisèle transcends the unfathomable traumas of her past, against all odds, she emerges with a renewed sense of passion and reverence for her life. Part memoir, part act of defiance, A Hymn to Life is a moving story of survival, testimony, and courage, and an unforgettable portrait of a woman who broke her silence, reclaimed her voice, and forced a reckoning.

When the Truth Is Too Heavy to Read: Why the Audible Version Brings A Hymn to Life to Life

Gisèle Pelicot’s account of confronting the devastating reality of her marriage is a rare, unflinching reflection on how many of us try to survive horrific trauma inflicted by someone we love—and believe loves us. I was captivated by her honesty and the way her emotions evolve as the full scale of her husband’s decade of rape becomes clear. She is equally fearless in describing the impact on her children and the lasting effects of that trauma on their lives.

Note that I started reading the book, but it became too hard to continue on the page. Switching to the Audible edition helped—hearing the story made the account feel more immediate and, in a painful way, come to life. Emma Thompson’s narration is extraordinary; it feels like an intimate conversation with Ms. Pelicot herself, and I can’t imagine a better narrator for the English translation.

Extraordinary

This is an incredible story. It is beautifully written and beautifully narrated. Gisele Pelicot is utterly extraordinary.

An honest and compelling story

I was deeply moved by the honesty of this brutal experience and inspired by the author’s bravery and commitment to life, family, and love. The narration was high quality and did this story justice.

Powerful story

The story was direct, brutal…. The very real heroine was brave and vulnerable. Tells the story of the best snd worst of us.

Fantastic

Emma Thompson was a fantastic narrator. The book was so well written! Gisele is a hero. I know she doesn’t think she is, but she is.