Want by Gillian Anderson is a non-fiction anthology of sexual fantasies as told through anonymous letters submitted by real women and non-binary people across the world. It seeks to highlight the ways contemporary feelings about desire intersect with societal expectations, feelings of shame, and questions about identity.
I knew I wanted to read Want as soon as I saw it; against the dark wall of thrillers you can find in Tesco, the bright pink cover and simple title stood out to me before I had any idea what it was about, but I love the concept.
It has largely received a positive reception for including a diverse range of voices from varied backgrounds around the world, and I believe a lot of the book’s success is owed to the global scope of the project.
Anderson received so many submissions that she claims they could have filled a thousand-page book, and that also created a ready-made market for its eventual release. Who wouldn’t want to know if their letter was selected!
Additionally, allowing contributors to remain anonymous appears to have extended a new level of freedom, which allowed them to reveal themselves more openly than they perhaps would have been willing to otherwise.
The result is a groundbreaking collection of relatable stories that not only get to the heart of what it means to be a sexual being but also create a sense of unity in the knowledge that we all have fantasies we hide from others.
The feminist context provided by Anderson only further adds to the rollercoaster of this read; some stories are emotionally devastating, while others will leave you turned on.
Moving on to the less positive aspects of this book, I think it's fair to say that there are definitely some structural issues.
Although each chapter is different thematically, there is understandably overlap in the ideas, and it can feel repetitive when reading.
It potentially would have benefited from further written entries from Anderson to improve the continued readability of the book.
If you’re usually a binge reader like me, I would recommend reading it in instalments.
Finally, despite Anderson’s desire to produce a text encompassing as many different voices and cultures as possible, the included responses remain heavily weighted on the Western experience.
There have also been a number of criticisms made regarding the inconsistency of writing quality, but this is to be expected when you are requesting samples across a global stage from normal people; we do not all have the same standard of written English.
I commend Anderson’s attempt to feature global voices beyond the Western audience, regardless of writing quality, because it has provided us with a broader examination of the human condition and sexuality.
Are you looking for more books about sexuality and desire? Check out @BookClubforWhores and @this.womansword.
Written by Leah Marie Cox
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