In the 1970s, Nancy Friday’s groundbreaking anthology My Secret Garden: Women’s Sexual Fantasies sparked conversations about female desire. Now, actress Gillian Anderson has curated a new collection titled Want, which aims to update and expand on Friday’s work. Want features anonymous letters and interviews from women discussing their sexual fantasies, organized thematically into categories like “Kink,” “Strangers,” and “Power and Submission.” Anderson, who gained insight into this topic while playing a sex therapist on Sex Education, notes the continued importance of agency and control in these fantasies.
The letters in Want cover a diverse range of scenarios, reflecting the increased openness and representation of female desire in modern media. However, the book also highlights ongoing taboos and shame that some women still experience surrounding their sexual feelings. Power dynamics feature prominently in many of the fantasies, with some contributors exploring themes like violence, coercion, and captivity. Anderson emphasizes the distinction between fantasy and reality, noting that these scenarios allow women to explore their desires in a safe way.
Beyond the explicit content, Want offers a glimpse into the emotional lives of the contributors. Some express longing, grief, or fear, while others celebrate pleasure and desire openly. Overall, Want serves as a platform for women to share their fantasies and break the stigma surrounding female desire. In a time when women’s freedom and agency are under threat, this collection provides a space for open and honest discussion about a topic that is often veiled in shame. Want: Sexual Fantasies by Anonymous, edited by Gillian Anderson, is available now from Bloomsbury.
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