I'll Never Call Him Dad Again

Turning Our Family Trauma of Sexual Assault and Chemical Submission into a Collective Fight

By: Caroline Darian, Stephen Brown - translator

Narrated by: Heather Long, Caroline Darian

THE BOOK THAT TELLS THE FIRST-HAND STORY OF THE GISÈLE PELICOT TRIAL AND GIVES A VOICE TO WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN SILENCED

The trial of Dominique Pelicot has captured the world's attention. Behind Pelicot's unthinkable crimes are a mother, Gisèle Pelicot, and her daughter, Caroline Darian, who were forced to rebuild their lives.

This is their story.

In November 2020, Caroline Darian received a call from the police. Her father was in custody. The seizure of his computer equipment revealed the unimaginable: since 2013, he had drugged his wife before handing her over, in a state of unconsciousness, to dozens of men from all ages and stages of life.

With exceptional courage, Darian recounts the earth-shattering discovery that a loved one, her own father, is capable of the worst. But more importantly, she shares the remarkable story of her mother, Gisèle, and how she carried on living, without self-pity, while learning to manage all of the things her husband once took care of. She shares how her mother managed to maintain her joie de vivre in circumstances none of us could imagine.

Gisèle has won acclaim around the world after she opted for a public trial, one in which Caroline herself has testified, turning the tables; the shame is no longer borne by the victims in silence but directed, at last, to the abusers. Caroline has set up her own campaign, #MendorsPas: Stop Chemical Submission: Don't Put Me Under, to address the issue of chemical submission in the home. Together, mother and daughter reveal another side to the violence committed against women, as they bravely transform their private trauma into a collective fight.

©2022 éditions Jean-Claude Lattes;Translation by Stephen Brown (P)2025 Bonnier UK

A brave survivor

Pulling back the curtain on an important topic. The shattering of lives that many victims understand. Well written and expressed.

Interesting

this book was excellent but I would have liked to have known what type of jail sentence he got for his crimes. overall very good book. I highly recommend

WOW

great book, narrator was great, hard material for sure but also important. I really appreciate the data & stats.

Just another family's story

Because of my own childhood and my mother's too, this book reminds me that this family secret isn't a secret. You are affected by this sin, whether you want to admit it or not. Someone in your circle has survived serial abuse. God speed the day when we don't cover for these predators. Our mental health requires us to stop. God heal us ALL.

Courageous, poetic justice

Stunningly stylish writing and engaging way to capture such horrendous events that changed the course of the author’s life forever. I’m in awe of how Caroline was able to document for the rest of us what these years entailed around the histórical (herstorical) public trial that no one should turn away from. Her mother is a warrior but so is she. Shame must change sides!