Et la joie de vivre

If you haven’t been following the news out of France over the past year, you might not immediately understand why Et la joie de vivre is generating such significant anticipation ahead of its Penguin Press release on February 16, 2026. But once you dig into what this book represents, the excitement becomes entirely clear. This is a memoir that arrives at a pivotal cultural moment—one that’s been shaped by extraordinary courage and a refusal to remain silent.

Gisèle Pelicot, the author, has become a symbol of resilience in ways that extend far beyond a single legal case. Co-written with journalist and novelist Judith Perrignon, this memoir is set to chronicle a life marked by unimaginable violence and, paradoxically, an unwavering commitment to joy. The very title—Et la joie de vivre (And the Joy of Living)—speaks volumes about what Pelicot is attempting to reclaim and redefine through her words.

This is more than just a memoir. It’s a manifesto about refusing to let trauma define your entire narrative. It’s about the radical act of choosing joy as an act of resistance.

What makes this book particularly resonant right now is the timing. When the Mazan trial opened on September 2, 2024, France—and the world—met Pelicot’s determined face as she walked into court. Her statement that she wanted “la honte change de camp” (shame should change sides) became a rallying cry. Rather than accepting victimhood as her final identity, she positioned herself as someone demanding accountability while simultaneously reclaiming her humanity. This memoir, arriving in early 2026, will expand on that powerful ethos.

The audiobook edition, narrated by Odile Cohen and scheduled for release on February 17, 2026, will add another dimension to the experience. There’s something particularly moving about hearing a person’s words in their own language—French—read aloud. The 4-hour-and-6-minute listening experience suggests an intimate, conversational quality that might feel especially powerful in audio format.

Key themes readers are anticipating:

• A candid examination of violence and its aftermath—without sensationalism
• The intersection of feminism, justice, and personal healing
• How one woman’s public stand rippled through an entire nation
• The philosophy of choosing joy as a deliberate, political act
• Family, relationships, and what it means to rebuild trust

What’s particularly striking about Pelicot’s approach is that she isn’t positioning herself as a tragic figure. Co-written with Perrignon—whose background as a novelist suggests literary sophistication—this memoir is clearly being crafted as a literary work, not just a courtroom document. There’s artistry here, intention, and a commitment to exploring the complexity of human experience rather than reducing it to a single narrative arc.

The collaboration between Pelicot and Perrignon is crucial. A novelist’s touch brings psychological depth and nuance to what could easily become a purely documentary account. This feels like storytelling in the truest sense.

The memoir is anticipated to spark essential conversations across multiple domains. Feminist scholars, legal experts, psychologists studying trauma, and general readers seeking inspiration will all find something to wrestle with here. This isn’t a book that exists in isolation—it’s entering a broader cultural conversation about accountability, consent, institutional failure, and survival.

Why this book matters right now:

1. Cultural moment: It arrives as #MeToo conversations continue evolving globally
2. Literary merit: The collaboration with a novelist elevates it beyond pure testimony
3. Philosophical depth: It refuses easy answers about healing and joy
4. Representation: It centers the voice and agency of someone who lived through extraordinary circumstances
5. International reach: Penguin Press’s involvement ensures English-language accessibility to a global audience

What’s also worth noting is that this memoir exists alongside audiobook and various international editions. The multilingual approach—French, English, and beyond—reflects how Pelicot’s story has transcended French borders. Her courage has resonated internationally, and this book will extend that conversation even further when it hits shelves and speakers on February 16, 2026.

The pages—256 of them—are dense with meaning. This isn’t a sprawling epic; it’s focused and carefully constructed. Every word appears to count, every anecdote chosen deliberately. That kind of editorial discipline suggests readers are getting something refined and intentional, not hastily assembled.

For anyone interested in memoirs that grapple with the deepest human challenges while refusing victimhood, this is unmissable. For readers invested in feminist narratives that push beyond simple victim-perpetrator binaries. For people seeking stories about resilience that don’t diminish the reality of harm. Et la joie de vivre is anticipated to deliver on all these fronts when Penguin Press releases it next February. Mark your calendars—this one’s going to matter.