Single Sundays: A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for A Hymn to Life (from Goodreads):
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.

Author: Gisèle Pelicot
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, True Crime
Heat Rating: N/A
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I remember learning about Gisèle during the trial of her ex-husband where she waved her right to a closed trial and opted for an open trial, allowing all details to be made public knowledge. I was moved by her bravery to walk in and out of that courthouse everyday while the world judged her. As soon as I saw that my library had added her memoir, I wanted to know more about her.

The Concept:

The book is a biography of Gisèle’s full life and not just her experience during the trial. It weaves between the present and the past as Gisèle depicts the life she had, the life she thought she had and the life she didn’t know.

The Writing:

Sometimes, I will admit, I got lost in the timeline as the story drifts between flashbacks and the present. This woman has lived through some incredibly tragic and horrific events so it was hard to keep everything straight in my head. It’s not that the writing is bad by any means, it’s just heavy.

I admire Gisèle’s honesty throughout this novel. She courageously shares her feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions throughout. But what I admire the most is that she owns them and has chosen to let these moments empower her and trust in humanity rather than simply focus negatively on them.

Did it Impact My Life?

YES! I don’t know how anyone can read this book and not be inspired by this woman! I hope that this case becomes the turning point in how society views victims of sexual crimes. That they should not be the ones feeling shame rather it is the abuser who should be judged for showing the worst of humanity — and in this case, the impact of toxic masculinity.

My Audiobook Experience:

The narrator for this novel is actually actress Emma Thompson – who does a superb job with her tone throughout. I could only listen to it in small pockets because the details of her story are so heart-wrenching.