Gisèle Pelicot Memoir Draws Crowds in Paris

Gisèle Pelicot’s highly anticipated memoir, “A Hymn to Life,” went on sale Tuesday in Paris, drawing readers eager to understand the journey of the woman who became a global symbol of courage by facing her abusers in open court.

The 73-year-old French survivor waived her right to a closed trial in 2024, ensuring the world witnessed the conviction of her ex-husband and 50 other men for raping her while she was unconscious.

In a television interview last week, Pelicot said she wanted the book to be a “symbol of hope” for other women suffering from abuse.

Fans like 27-year-old communications worker Laura Boue lined up in Paris, describing Pelicot as “a woman who inspires me greatly” and expressing a desire to understand her experience and her journey.

The memoir, written with French author Judith Perrignon, has already drawn praise for its unflinching honesty and its message of resilience, with Emma Thompson narrating the English audiobook and calling the story “absolutely extraordinary.”