Want by Gillian Anderson collects sexual fantasies in eye-popping detail

Vast and incredibly detailed. Daring and surprisingly unassuming. In need of, a compilation of sexual fantasies from unknown women curated by actress Gillian Anderson, the authors express desires that they have never shared with anyone in vivid detail.

Arranged in different sections, the stories range from casual to intense, from exploring different desires to observing others. Some stories are short and sweet, like dreaming of being intimate with a favorite actor. Others are long and intricate, filled with details that would impress even experienced writers. Many are too explicit to share here, but there is a wide variety to enjoy.

In the book, the majority of the content is dedicated to the fantasies, but Anderson also contributes an introduction and a brief summary for each section. Her writing is easy to understand, thoughtful, and humorous. She has a personal connection to the material, not just as an editor. Anderson shares one of her own fantasies along with the others to see how it compares. She questions if her fantasy will be a natural fit and if it will align with how people perceive her.

The inspiration for Want came from Nancy Friday's popular book My Secret Garden, which was published in 1973. Anderson discovered this collection of women's fantasies while researching her role as Dr. Jean Milburn on Sex Education. Despite more than 50 years passing since Friday's book was released, it is evident that not much has changed in terms of the societal context of sex and the influence of patriarchy.

A person, who seems tired, wrote about how great it would be if their husband hired a cleaner and did the grocery shopping. Another person shared their desire for a man to just be consistently kind to them. These fantasies, whether they involve dirtiness or sadness, are very private, but this book shows that they are also influenced by society.

Therefore, the personal information provided with each anonymous post - such as whether they are married, their race, and income level - provides interesting background. For example, one post may be from a stay-at-home parent looking for a break from their daily routine, while another may be from a successful businessperson who enjoys giving up control completely. As one contributor put it, "At times, I just want to let go completely."

In this book, there are many women and genderqueer individuals who understand what it's like to have their voices and desires ignored, according to Anderson. These contributors have been influenced by the societal shame associated with female sexuality for a long time. Many of them write as if they are finally letting out their true feelings, fearing that they will be analyzed like Sigmund Freud if anyone discovers their innermost thoughts.

However, Anderson's choice to categorize the fantasies reveals their similarities - creating a surprising feeling of togetherness in the midst of anonymity; the idea that even though we all have hidden desires, many of them are actually shared and lose their power.

According to Anderson, fantasy provides a secure environment where we can explore ideas that may not be realistic. Some writings, particularly those centered on themes like rape or domination, can be quite intense. However, even in scenarios where power dynamics are challenged, the key element of a fantasy is that the author has control. Anderson emphasizes that in our own imaginations, we are the ones making decisions about how our bodies are portrayed and treated. This is a stark contrast to real life, where we may not always have that same level of agency.

She hopes that this book will spark a fresh discussion about sexual power, especially for women. In a society that still puts a lot of effort into restricting women's opportunities, the unexamined and mostly unfiltered desires expressed in this book are truly inspiring. Encouraged by their universal nature, hopefully readers will feel more comfortable sharing their own fantasies. If it's acceptable for Gillian, then why not for everyone else?

Released by Bloomsbury on September 5th for a price of £18.99.