Breaking Taboos: Why Gillian Anderson’s ‘Want’ Matters
Some of you may know that we launched a podcast last October, where we delve into societal challenges and thought-provoking topics. As part of this journey, we’ve been including book reviews tied to the themes we explore. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching in February, we’ve decided to spice things up by discussing Gillian Anderson’s book Want, which was released last September.
"Want: Sexual Fantasies by Anonymous", curated by the actress, is a compelling anthology that digs into the private sexual imaginations of women and genderqueer individuals worldwide. Inspired by Nancy Friday's 1973 classic "My Secret Garden", she sought to explore how women's sexual fantasies have evolved over the past fifty years as part of her preparation for her role as Jean Milburn in Sex Education. The result is a collection of 174 anonymous letters, each offering a candid glimpse into the diverse and complex nature of desire.
The anthology is organised into thematic chapters such as "To Be Worshipped," "Exploration," "Power and Submission," and "The Watchers and the Watched," among others. This structure allows readers to navigate the multifaceted landscape of fantasies, ranging from tender romantic scenarios to more taboo and transgressive desires. Notably, Anderson includes her own fantasy within the collection, maintaining anonymity to underscore the universal nature of these experiences.
The book provides an essential platform for voices often marginalised in discussions about sexuality, however, in my opinion, it occasionally suffers from repetitiveness due to the thematic grouping of fantasies. I would have loved a deeper analysis or commentary accompanying the fantasies to provide context and explore the psychological or sociological underpinnings of these desires. My favourite stories were the ones where the author explained how their fantasies started. I read this book in 3 days, which made it quite dense, and took away from the excitement I felt in the beginning of the book. Due to the thematic chapters, the stories get repetitive so I’d recommend not reading them all in one sitting. It could be the perfect book to pick up occasionally, and open it at a random page.
"Want", however, has been praised for destigmatising conversations about female sexuality. By presenting a wide array of fantasies—from the conventional to the unconventional—the anthology challenges societal taboos and encourages open dialogue without any judgment. As Anderson herself stated, the project aims to "break taboos and encourage open discussions about sexual fantasies."
In summary, "Want" serves as a significant contribution to contemporary discussions on sexuality, providing a safe space for women and genderqueer individuals to express their desires without judgment. While it left me seeking deeper analysis, the anthology succeeds in highlighting the rich and varied landscape of human sexuality, fostering greater understanding and acceptance of diverse sexual expressions.
And if you ask me which fantasy was my favorite, it’s an easy choice: a lady’s one-liner about having sex with Paul Mescal in her head every night. I’m confident I can speak for all of us when I say—we’ve all been there.
