NPR's Book of the Day podcast delves into Gillian Anderson's provocative new book "Want," an exploration of modern female sexuality inspired by the 1970s classic "My Secret Garden." The episode examines how "Want" replicates the anonymous format of its predecessor to capture the diversity of women's sexual fantasies and desires in the digital age, ranging from explicit forms like group sex and BDSM to an inner yearning for tenderness and authentic connection.
Anderson's discussion reveals the lingering shame and societal stigma surrounding female sexuality—a theme underscored by many contributors' admission that they wouldn't share their fantasies with partners. As the episode summary suggests, "Want" provides a revealing glimpse into the complexity of women's inner sexual lives and the courage required to explore such vulnerable terrain.
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The book "Want" stemmed from curiosity about how female sexual fantasies have evolved since the 1970s classic "My Secret Garden." According to Gillian Anderson, a key inspiration, "Want" replicated the anonymous letter format of "My Secret Garden" to explore the impact modern media has had on women's inner sexual lives.
"Want" features an array of submissions, from group sex to BDSM, showcasing the complexity of female sexuality. Anderson notes many entries also expressed yearning for tenderness and authentic connection amid their explicit desires. To represent this diversity, the editors deliberately gathered perspectives across cultures.
Despite aiming for openness, the discussions around "Want" revealed women's deep discomfort discussing their sexuality. Many contributors admitted they wouldn't share their fantasies with partners, underscoring Anderson's point about the persisting societal stigma and shame around female sexuality. Anderson herself found contributing anonymously challenging, highlighting the courage needed for such vulnerability.
1-Page Summary
The book "Want" arose from a curiosity to explore the evolution of female sexual fantasies and desires since the 1970s, drawing direct inspiration from the classic "My Secret Garden."
The creators of "Want" embarked on an exploration to see if and how female sexual fantasies have changed in the decades since "My Secret Garden" was published. They were particularly curious about the impact of the constant presence of sex in modern media and the burgeoning porn industry on women's inner sexual lives and fantasies.
Gillian Anderson cited "My Secret Garden" as a significant inspiration for the "Want" project. Just as the 1973 book gathered women's sexual fantasies in a letter format, the creators of "Want" sought to replicate this anonymous, ...
The origins and inspiration for the book "Want" and how it compares to a similar 1970s book
Anderson highlights the anthology "Want," which encompasses a spectrum of sexual fantasies and desires from its women contributors. The submissions run the gamut from group sex to BDSM, showcasing a breadth of explicit scenarios that evidence the complexity and variety of female sexuality.
Despite the explicit nature of many entries in "Want," an underlying theme that emerges across the narratives is a profound longing for tenderness, intimacy, and genuine recognition. The women yearn to be seen and loved authentically for who they are, underpinning their desires with a quest for emotional connection.
The diverse range of sexual fantasies and desires expressed by the women who contributed to the book
Despite the advancements toward openness, the discussions around "Want" reflect the persistent discomfort and stigma that surrounds female sexuality in contemporary society. Contributors to the book reveal a deep-seated unease with sharing their sexual desires, even with their intimate partners.
Gillian Anderson points out that several contributors to "Want" have admitted that they would be unwilling to disclose their sexual fantasies to their partners. This sentiment underscores the ongoing struggle women face not only in their sexual expression but also in articulating their desires and needs more broadly in their lives.
The shame and guilt associated with women's sexuality, as evidenced by contributions to the book, indicate a societal issue where women's partners are not privy to their authentic sexual thoughts. It's an issue that continues to be pervasive, despite what many would think is an era of sexual openness and liberation, suggesting that many aspects of female sexuality remain under a veil of silence.
The continued shame, guilt, and reluctance many women feel about openly discussing their sexuality
Gillian Anderson, while being a well-known advocate for open conversations about sexuality and female pleasure, chose a unique approach in her involvement with the book "Want."
Anderson opted to contribute anonymously to "Want," a book that compiles the experiences of a diverse group of women regarding their sexuality. Her decision was rooted in the intention not to overshadow the communal aspect of the project. Rather than making the book about her own experiences, she recognized the importance of the collective voice of all women who submitted their stories and experiences for the project.
Despite her outspokenness on the topic, Anderson found writing an anonymous letter to be a challenging endeavor. This difficulty shed light on the complexities ...
Gillian Anderson's personal role in the project and her own experience of contributing anonymously
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