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A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26Brought to you by Penguin.
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.
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.
'An emblem of resilience for women everywhere' VOGUE
'The bravest woman in the world' DAILY MIRROR
Gisèle Pelicot 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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.
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.
'An emblem of resilience for women everywhere' VOGUE
'The bravest woman in the world' DAILY MIRROR
Gisèle Pelicot 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Audible Audio
Expected publication February 17, 2026
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3293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 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 15, 2026
100 stars. What an amazing woman and family.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews