Great book. Sad though.

Telling: A Memoir of Rape and Recovery
by Patricia Weaver Francisco

The highly personal story of a woman who survived and even overcame--after a long, long time--a rape by a stranger who broke into her house when her husband was out of town.  And by extension, the stories of many other women.  I'm not saying their stories are alike, only that they all share certain elements that lingered long after the bruises and pain should have faded.

Feeling of powerlessness, worthlessness, irrational (and rational) fear.  A marriage on the edge despite a strong, supportive husband.  She quotes a certain statistic about marriage after rape that I won't write here, because that would deprive you of the impact it had on me when I read it in context.  Nightmares, flashbacks, bad therapists.

Her rapist was never found, but ten years after the event she attended the trial of a serial rapist in a nearby neighborhood.  He had a similar approach--watch the house or apartment, enter when he was fairly sure a woman was alone, cover her eyes, and steal whatever money or sell

able property was around.  In the one case where there were two men in the apartment attacked, the difference between the men's reaction and hers was shocking.  They all fought back--she had fought desperately and blindly, finally suffering a cut so deep that the attacker had to wrap it in a sheet.   But the two men bided their time, caught their opportunity and found with effectiveness.  (And a hockey stick.)  

 That trial alone made the whole painful book worth enduring.  Read it.