Gisèle Pelicot's memoir, 'A Hymn to Life,' recounts her harrowing journey of discovering her husband drugged and enabled 50 men to rape her over decades. The book details her struggle to reconcile with forgotten horrors, confront societal judgment, and ultimately reclaim her life, culminating in a powerful story of survival and finding new love.
Gisèle Pelicot's memoir, 'A Hymn to Life,' is a powerful and unique account of a woman confronting unimaginable horrors she has no memory of. At 67, Pelicot discovered her husband of nearly 50 years, Dominique, had systematically drugged and raped her, recruiting over 50 men to do the same. The book details her transformation from an 'ordinary woman' into a figure of astonishing strength, navigating immense public and personal scrutiny. Pelicot delves into the agonizing question of 'how could she not have known,' exploring her husband's violent past, societal sexism, her own professional success, and their intimate life for clues. She recounts the painful process of reconciling with her children, who initially struggled with her denial, and challenges the 'right way' to be a victim, expressing anger at being lectured. The memoir culminates with her defiant stance at Dominique's 2024 trial, where she declared 'shame has to change sides.' Despite the profound trauma, Pelicot 'slowly and painfully' lets go of her husband, rejects a solely vengeful narrative, and ultimately finds new love, affirming that 'love is not dead.' The book stands as a testament to her resilience and refusal to be defined by her abusers.
