I'll Never Call Him Dad Again - by Caroline Darian (Paperback)

About the Book

"The trial of Dominique Pelicot, which began on 2 September 2024, has captured the world's attention. Behind the haunting details of Pelicot's unthinkable crimes are a mother and daughter who were forced to rebuild their lives. This is their story. In November 2020, Caroline Darian received a call from the police in Carpentras. Her father was in police custody. The seizure of his computer equipment revealed the unthinkable: since 2013, he had drugged his wife before handing her over, in a state of unconsciousness, to men, from all ages and stages of life. With exceptional courage, Darian recounts the earth-shattering discovery that a loved one, her own father, is capable of the worst. But more importantly, she shares the remarkable story of her mother Gisáele and how she carried on living, without self-pity, while learning to manage all of the things her husband once took care of. She shares how her mother managed to maintain her joie de vivre in circumstances none of us could imagine. Gisáele has won acclaim around the world after she gave up her right to anonymity and opted for a public trial, a trial in which Caroline herself has testified, turning the tables: the shame no longer borne by the victims in silence but directed, at last, to the abusers. Together, mother and daughter reveal another side to the violence committed against women, as they bravely transform their private trauma into a collective fight"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

**International Bestseller**

"I am in awe of your courage...for you to be willing to share the truth of your life is an act of victory and triumph... You are a mighty woman. Thank you for writing this book." --Oprah Winfrey, Global Media Leader and Host of The Oprah Podcast

What if your greatest protector became your deepest betrayal?

When Caroline Darian received a call from the police, her world cracked in two. Her father--beloved, trusted, admired--had been arrested. What followed was a nightmare no daughter should ever face: the revelation that her mother, Gisèle Pelicot, had been drugged and abused for years--by the man they both called family.

But this memoir isn't just about what happened.

I'll Never Call Him Dad Again is about what happened next.

With unflinching honesty and fierce compassion, Darian tells the story of how she and her mother refused to be defined by silence. Together, they pursued justice in the courtroom--and sparked a global reckoning outside of it. Through the viral #MendorsPas: Stop Chemical Submission: Don't Put Me Under campaign, they've taken on the epidemic of chemical submission and lifted a rallying cry for victims worldwide.

For readers of Know My Name, The Choice, and The Fact of a Body, this is a must-read for anyone drawn to stories of truth, transformation, and fearless resilience.

Review Quotes

"A chilling memoir . . . This is a courageous effort to bring 'unsayable' abuses to light." -- Publishers Weekly

"I am in awe of your courage...for you to be willing to share the truth of your life is an act of victory and triumph... You are a mighty woman. Thank you for writing this book." -- Oprah Winfrey, Global Media Leader and Host of The Oprah Podcast