Book Summary and Reviews of A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot

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Denita Winn

Gisele Pelicot: A Memoir
This memoir shares Gisele Pelicot’s life leading up to the abuse she experienced during her marriage, her confusion and health issues during it, the events of the subsequent court case, and her thoughts about where she landed once it was all done. Her writing displays a determined orientation toward cultivating happiness and a refusal to give up on joy.

Going public with her story and refusing to hide behind anonymity Pelicot stepped onto an international stage to show that (as the second half of the book title states,) “Shame Has to Change Sides.” This gave her story a broader significance than would have been possible had she hidden her identity. This book would appeal to many readers considering it encompasses women’s issues, cultural standards, survival, and (as of this writing) current events. Gisele Pelicot presents her story with controlled pacing and an emphasis on how she does not want to be reduced to only her most traumatic moments. The story winds back and forth between her early life and the events of her marriage and this stylistic choice provides a more palatable reading experience given the difficult themes of the book. It presents Ms. Pelicot as a whole person, not just a neon sign of suffering, making the memoir an accessible read for a wide audience. It was written in as graceful a manner as could have been possible while still telling the truth of what happened. She refused to be shamed, came through with her dignity intact, and gave voice to the types of situations many victims have found themselves in.