Synopsis

After 25 years of a picture-perfect marriage and life, an unplanned affair pushes Nora into a murky world of abuse and luxury prostitution. From there, she will have to face her deepest fears, in a journey that turns her world upside down. Sex without moral constraints will become the trigger for Nora to take back control of her own life.

Review

When I studied Spain’s history and culture at school, we learned about the sense of freedom people experienced after the fall of Franco – something seen in film, TV and books ever since.

In Iolande Batallé’s I’ll Do Anything You Want (translated by Maruxa Relaño and Martha Tennant), we see a woman embracing her sexual freedom, casting off the shackles of marriage and learning about herself.

It’s a wild ride, as Nora effectively finds herself working as a high class prostitute, after a chance sexual encounter on a plane. Although shocking and demeaning in certain places, it’s also strangely empowering as we join Nora in this journey of self-discovery.

Although sexual exploration is the main theme, Batallé also touches on themes of adultery, child abuse and death. As we learn more about Nora’s traumatic past, we start to understand the choices she is making now. Although she loves her husband and children, sexual domination from strangers gives her the thrill and excitement she’s missing – and in fact needs – for her creative expression.

Batallé is clearly influenced by other authors – including Lewis Carroll, as we have random, continuous references to a White Rabbit and being late – but there are also elements that wouldn’t be out of place in a Pedro Almodóvar film.

Dark, intriguing and provocative, I’ll Do Anything You Want invites readers to take a look at themselves and ask ‘Who am I?

Thanks to 3 Times Rebel Press for my advanced copy. Opinions my own.