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A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides
Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 17:47:16
20 copies available
U.S. only
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 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 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
'A page-turning memoir that will move you to live more' GINA MARTIN
'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 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 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
'A page-turning memoir that will move you to live more' GINA MARTIN
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
895 people are currently reading
11034 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
December 22, 2025
She deserves a five star for being a phenomenal woman
Want to read
February 11, 2026Shame HAS TO Change Sides
February 17, 2026
5 ⭐️ / 5 ⭐️
“And yet the feeling persists: love is not dead. I am not dead. I still have faith in people. Once, that was my greatest weakness. Now it is my strength.”
I honestly don’t think I have words to explain how this book made me feel. As someone who has been SA’d, this book was inspiring. It was so raw and honest, not sparing any of the horrifying details of what Gisele went through.
I spent the entire book in tears, from her sad childhood, to her battling within her self to understand what she’s been through, to the breakdown of her family.. I was in tears and completely captivated.
I’m so glad Gisele decided to share her story with the world.
She deserves better than the cards she was dealt and I hope the remainder of her life is filled with peace & love.
“And yet the feeling persists: love is not dead. I am not dead. I still have faith in people. Once, that was my greatest weakness. Now it is my strength.”
I honestly don’t think I have words to explain how this book made me feel. As someone who has been SA’d, this book was inspiring. It was so raw and honest, not sparing any of the horrifying details of what Gisele went through.
I spent the entire book in tears, from her sad childhood, to her battling within her self to understand what she’s been through, to the breakdown of her family.. I was in tears and completely captivated.
I’m so glad Gisele decided to share her story with the world.
She deserves better than the cards she was dealt and I hope the remainder of her life is filled with peace & love.
February 15, 2026
100 stars. What an amazing woman and family.
Read
February 18, 2026Gisele Pelicot has more bravery and strength in her little finger than most men could hope to accumulate in a lifetime.
A searingly bold account of one woman's horrific ordeal that has gripped me since the moment I heard about it.
Check trigger warnings on this one for sure.
Emma Thompson narrates the audiobook and did a fantastic job.
A searingly bold account of one woman's horrific ordeal that has gripped me since the moment I heard about it.
Check trigger warnings on this one for sure.
Emma Thompson narrates the audiobook and did a fantastic job.
Currently reading
February 16, 2026Very very excited to read this book
Pelicot is an exceptional woman with a heart of gold. I listened to her story on NPR this morning and was genuinely moved by despite the interview being in French.
Pelicot is an exceptional woman with a heart of gold. I listened to her story on NPR this morning and was genuinely moved by despite the interview being in French.
February 19, 2026
[..] the present does not erase the past …
To fight the emptiness - I need to love [..]
Šis ir apbrīnojamākais Sievietes Spēka stāsts …
To fight the emptiness - I need to love [..]
Šis ir apbrīnojamākais Sievietes Spēka stāsts …
February 19, 2026
J’ai tant d’amour pour cette grande dame. Bien plus grande que tous les petits moins que rien qui ont croisé sa route sans son consentement. Ceux-là, je ne leur souhaite rien de moins que de mourir dans d’atroces souffrances les uns après les autres. Sans aucun soutien, aucune humanité, ni compassion, exactement de la façon dont ils ont traité Gisèle. Et ce sera bien fait pour eux.
Cette grande dame, cette guerrière qui malgré tout ce par quoi elle est passée, pas seulement son monstre d’ex mari, arrive encore à croire en l’amour et se refuse à détester les hommes. Moi, comme d’autres, on est bien assez à les détester à sa place.
Gisèle qui n’est qu’amour et n’a toujours souhaité qu’une famille heureuse, le bonheur de ses enfants et petits-enfants, ne mérite rien de moins. Je souhaite de tout cœur que cette grande petite dame puisse se reconstruire aux côtés de ses enfants, tous unis, malgré les ombres et les traumatismes dont ils ont été victimes.
Cette grande dame, cette guerrière qui malgré tout ce par quoi elle est passée, pas seulement son monstre d’ex mari, arrive encore à croire en l’amour et se refuse à détester les hommes. Moi, comme d’autres, on est bien assez à les détester à sa place.
Gisèle qui n’est qu’amour et n’a toujours souhaité qu’une famille heureuse, le bonheur de ses enfants et petits-enfants, ne mérite rien de moins. Je souhaite de tout cœur que cette grande petite dame puisse se reconstruire aux côtés de ses enfants, tous unis, malgré les ombres et les traumatismes dont ils ont été victimes.
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February 20, 2026Voorheen heb ik de boeken van Gisèle’s dochter geen rating gegeven, dus passend als ik dat ook nu niet doe. Want hoe beoordeel je een waargebeurd verhaal in sterren? ‘Ode aan het leven’ is een boeiend verhaal. Ik had al enige voorkennis van de zaak dus het had voor mij geen hoge shockfactor, maar ik denk dat dit anders is als je het allemaal voor het eerst leest. Gisèle is een enorm inspirerend en krachtig mens. Ik heb bewondering voor haar moed en ben in die zin dankbaar dat ik haar verhaal heb mogen lezen. Zij heeft veel vrouwen kracht geschonken en het doet me goed dat zij de internationale steun van vrouwen, zowel online als daadwerkelijk bij de rechtbank, ook zo heeft ervaren.
February 19, 2026
Left me speechless. So much resilience came out of horror.
February 18, 2026
The story of Gisele Pelicot is one of a remarkably strong women who’s life is completely torn apart by the hideous assaults of her husband and the men he allowed into their home.
I remember when this story first broke news I was so shocked. But when she came forward with her identity and wanted the trial to share who her assaulters were it was honestly such an impactful moment for victims – maybe more so than she ever thought.
There is a part in her story where she says something along the lines of if this had happened to her 20 years ago she would have kept it anonymous, but now at her age she has no shame and is brave to speak out.
This memoir she writes I believe was something very cathartic for Gisele. She relays her life with her ex husband and both of their childhoods, the days leading up to him being arrested and the after effects that happen to her and her children. In no way is she ever glorifying her husband but retelling their time together and trying to understand how it could all happen.
I want to hug Gisele and thank her for doing something many women can not. In speaking out it is what she has set out to do, and shift shame to the other side. Victims doesn’t mean you are weak, in fact it means you are a lot stronger and have a lot more power than you think.
I will cherish this memoir and this profound woman. This is an excellent memoir and while at times it can be somewhat graphic I believe it is worth reading and sharing.
I remember when this story first broke news I was so shocked. But when she came forward with her identity and wanted the trial to share who her assaulters were it was honestly such an impactful moment for victims – maybe more so than she ever thought.
There is a part in her story where she says something along the lines of if this had happened to her 20 years ago she would have kept it anonymous, but now at her age she has no shame and is brave to speak out.
This memoir she writes I believe was something very cathartic for Gisele. She relays her life with her ex husband and both of their childhoods, the days leading up to him being arrested and the after effects that happen to her and her children. In no way is she ever glorifying her husband but retelling their time together and trying to understand how it could all happen.
I want to hug Gisele and thank her for doing something many women can not. In speaking out it is what she has set out to do, and shift shame to the other side. Victims doesn’t mean you are weak, in fact it means you are a lot stronger and have a lot more power than you think.
I will cherish this memoir and this profound woman. This is an excellent memoir and while at times it can be somewhat graphic I believe it is worth reading and sharing.
February 18, 2026
A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It tells a profoundly tragic story, but it is written with such honesty and dignity that it feels less like a memoir of suffering and more like a testament to survival. Pelicot does not sensationalize her pain; instead, she carefully lays bare the emotional devastation, betrayal, and long road toward reclaiming herself.
Having read her daughter’s book as well, I was already aware of the strength that runs through this family, but reading Gisèle’s own voice adds an entirely different depth. The courage it must have taken to share her story so openly is staggering. There is grief in these pages, but there is also resilience, quiet defiance, and a powerful insistence on dignity.
A heartbreaking yet empowering read.
Having read her daughter’s book as well, I was already aware of the strength that runs through this family, but reading Gisèle’s own voice adds an entirely different depth. The courage it must have taken to share her story so openly is staggering. There is grief in these pages, but there is also resilience, quiet defiance, and a powerful insistence on dignity.
A heartbreaking yet empowering read.
February 19, 2026
Difficult to read, but what a tribute to a remarkable woman who refused to become a victim.
So many women, and some men, stayed outside the courtroom at the trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s husband and the fifty other rapists. These focused supporters helped Gisèle by expressing their support and understanding of all that she was forced to go through. This included the years of abuse and the added trauma of a four-month trial.
Gisèle was “named as the most noteworthy person of 2024 in an opinion pole in France, eclipsing world leaders, and was honored by Time. To mark International Women’s Day, the Independent named her the most influential woman of 2025.” In addition, “She has been awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest, civic honour.”
So many women, and some men, stayed outside the courtroom at the trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s husband and the fifty other rapists. These focused supporters helped Gisèle by expressing their support and understanding of all that she was forced to go through. This included the years of abuse and the added trauma of a four-month trial.
Gisèle was “named as the most noteworthy person of 2024 in an opinion pole in France, eclipsing world leaders, and was honored by Time. To mark International Women’s Day, the Independent named her the most influential woman of 2025.” In addition, “She has been awarded the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest, civic honour.”
February 19, 2026
Om man bara ska läsa/lyssna en enda biografi i sitt liv så är det denna. Tårar, ilska, gåshud, ren skräck och fasa. Och hopp. (Inte för mänskligheten, men för människan).
Det har pratats mycket om det chockerande i att det fanns så många män inom en 5-milsradie som kunde göra något sånt här, men att man sen också kunde hitta minst lika många advokater som kunde med att försvara det? Och med den retorik och de påhopp de använde sig av dessutom.
Rekommenderar den svenska inläsningen av ljudboken, den kändes autentisk och personlig.
Det har pratats mycket om det chockerande i att det fanns så många män inom en 5-milsradie som kunde göra något sånt här, men att man sen också kunde hitta minst lika många advokater som kunde med att försvara det? Och med den retorik och de påhopp de använde sig av dessutom.
Rekommenderar den svenska inläsningen av ljudboken, den kändes autentisk och personlig.
February 17, 2026
Gisèle did not want anything but a simple and normal family life. Except, her husband Dominique, down on luck, wanted more. His knavery, sexual in nature, held a clandestine life.
Unbeknownst to Gisèle, her husband’s secret would shock not only her, but the whole of France shook them to the core.
The news broke out in 2020 and the sentencing in 2024. Dominique Pelicot received the maximum of 20 years.
I admired her decision to make the trial public. “Shame has to change sides.”
February 17, 2026
My god. One of those books you read in one go because it’s written so well but also because if you put it down before you get to the end you’re afraid the horrors will chase you. She writes that she doesn’t think she’s that strong. She is, she really is. As are her children.
February 19, 2026
This is in some ways just a simple biography. But it is also really thoughtful trying to understand how her life led to this horrible place.
I feel like so much of what I read reminded me of myself, my mother, friends I've had, etc. In a certain way it is a story of women in general. Each of us reacts in different ways, and has different experiences. But there is some similarities in the very act of being a woman living in a patriarchical society.
It was hard to read because of what happened to her, but it's also hard because you keep feeling like judging her and thinking she should have done this or that. But in some ways this is her point that we all see these things differently and we do judge the women almost more than the men.
I feel like so much of what I read reminded me of myself, my mother, friends I've had, etc. In a certain way it is a story of women in general. Each of us reacts in different ways, and has different experiences. But there is some similarities in the very act of being a woman living in a patriarchical society.
It was hard to read because of what happened to her, but it's also hard because you keep feeling like judging her and thinking she should have done this or that. But in some ways this is her point that we all see these things differently and we do judge the women almost more than the men.
February 18, 2026
A must-read, or even must-listen (narrated by the magnificent Emma Thompson) book. I didn't expect it to be so powerful. If you think you know the story (I was following it quite closely in the news), this will still surprise you. Often when reading about crimes committed against women I am left deeply traumatized. Gisèle really brings a different perspective. She doesn't avoid talking about the most difficult aspects of the crime, and yet the book doesn't leave you wondering if you should schedule a therapy session to put all the pieces of your life back together. It is even life affirming.
February 18, 2026
Eine wirklich bemerkenswerte und starke Frau!
February 19, 2026
She is so courageous!!
February 19, 2026
Oh my god. What an incredible woman. This should be mandatory reading/listening for everyone.
February 18, 2026
A truly outstanding woman. Cannot even comprehend the strength it took to make her case public.
Absolutely devastating.
Emma Thompson also did a fantastic job at narrating the English translation.
Absolutely devastating.
Emma Thompson also did a fantastic job at narrating the English translation.
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February 20, 2026Muito mais do que um desfile de monstros, um verdadeiro mergulho em nossas intimidades de homens e mulheres comuns, em nossos quartos, nossas relações, nossas famílias, nossos escombros. Essa história traz à tona nossa violência, nossas imundícies escondidas, nossos traumas adormecidos, nossos silêncios e nossas fugas. O reflexo brutal da dominação e da violência que ainda estruturam nossa sociedade.
February 20, 2026
This woman. What a harrowing and difficult story to read. The things she endured are horrific and yet she put her story out there so that women will hopefully carry less shame for the crimes committed against them. Giséle Pelicot is a phenomenal human being and I feel proud to be a woman alongside her. Truly remarkable.
February 21, 2026
I am out of words after reading this book. Simply, THANK YOU, with admiration, sadness, love, and so much gratefulness to Gisèle.
And being reminded of how much we need to do and change as people and as a society.
And being reminded of how much we need to do and change as people and as a society.
February 18, 2026
Devastating. For me; for women; for this awful culture of patriarchy.
February 18, 2026
Bedankt, Gisèle, om je verhaal met de wereld te delen.
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February 18, 2026der er intet at sige, jeg er tom for ord. en af de stærkeste kvinder i vores tid
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February 18, 2026no rating.
February 20, 2026
Absolutely amazing and resilient woman.
This book was VERY well writing and is certainly an inspiration.
Shame HAS TO change sides.
This book was VERY well writing and is certainly an inspiration.
Shame HAS TO change sides.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews