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. 'An emblem of
resilience for women everywhere' VOGUE 'The bravest woman in the world' DAILY MIRROR 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. '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
