Catherine Benhamou's new book, Declaration of Loss, published by Editions des Femmes-Antoinette Fouque, explores the emotional journeys of women who have experienced the loss of a child and the challenges of confronting painful silences. The work was inspired by a 2021 news story about a mother who gave her baby to a stranger on a RER platform, an event that later led to the publication of 5 seconds, a text released in 2024 and adapted for the stage. Benhamou intertwines this story with her own family history, particularly the experience of her mother, Marcelle, who lost a child at a young age, a tragedy that left a deep and lasting silence in her life. The book connects two seemingly separate stories through shared themes of grief, silence, and the complex nature of motherly love. These narratives, though different in their circumstances, converge in their emotional depth and the ways in which loss shapes personal identity and relationships. Benhamou draws on her background as a trained actress from the Conservatory of Paris, bringing a nuanced and expressive voice to her writing. Benhamou has previously published several works with Editions des Femmes, including ANA or the intelligent girl, Hors jeu, La mélodie sans les paroles, and 5 seconds. Her writing has also been recognized with awards, such as the Grand Prix de littérature dramatique Artcena, which she received in 2020 for her work Romance. These accomplishments highlight her dedication to exploring emotional and psychological themes through literature. An exclusive excerpt from Declaration of Loss will be published on September 17, offering readers a glimpse into the powerful and poignant narrative that Benhamou has crafted. This release marks another significant contribution to her body of work and continues her exploration of the human experience through the lens of personal and collective memory.