I woke with a start. The duvet was gone and there was a man on top of me. I shut my eyes. It took several peeks before I realized: this is happening. Sixteen years ago writer Abi Grant was attacked by a drug-addicted serial rapist, whod broken into her flat in the early hours of the morning. She reported it but was told her attacker was not known to the police and that I woke with a start. The duvet was gone and there was a man on top of me. I shut my eyes. It took several peeks before I realized: this is happening. Sixteen years ago writer Abi Grant was attacked by a drug-addicted serial rapist, whod broken into her flat in the early hours of the morning. She reported it but was told her attacker was not known to the police and that was that. Fifteen violent minutes had changed her life. She lost everything: home, relationship, agent, money, career - even her dog. For eight years she floundered, unable to work and sinking further and further into depression and addiction. Gradually, she picked up the threads, rebuilt her life and resumed her career. Then twelve years after the attack, the Cold Case Unit came calling. We think weve got him, they said . . . This is her story; her unique voice - angry, hurt and often surprisingly funny - gives the lie to the old saw that words cannot describe terrible experiences, They can - and she does, with honesty, passion and a wonderfully dark wit. Brings to life something that many women fear: not just becoming the victim of a sex attack but the endless frustration of trying to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice. There is a crisis about sexual violence in this country, with most rapists fully aware of how unlikely they are to be convicted. Words Can Describe is vivid, frank and courageous, and Im sure many women will be grateful to Abi Grant for telling the truth at, I imagine, some cost to herself. Joan Smith