Here is an annotated guide to some of the books and films we love.
Books
The Ethical Slut
by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy
Often known as the poly bible, The Ethical Slut is possibly the biggest selling poly book ever. Wittily written and extensively researched by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy, this new edition of a classic which has been around for over a decade is full of wise tips for new players, and is a very useful introduction to polyamory.
Opening Up
by Tristram Taormino
"Bold advice for explorers of open relationships. Comprehensive, clear,
and grounded in practical realities, this book is one of the best to
come along in a long time!" -- Deborah Anapol, Ph.D., author of Polyamory: The New Love Without Limits
Polyamory: The New Love Without Limits
by Deborah Anapol
"This book is a valuable guide for the establishing and nurturing of
healthy intimate relationships that are responsibly nonmonogamous, and
a valuable resource for educators and counsellors working in the fields
of sexual, mental and emotional health." -- Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Australian education, health and diversity researcher.
Unlike The Ethical Slut, this book is structured more like a classic self-help book . Although it enthusiastically embraces diversity, some may find it more "straight-friendly". Another foundation work in the polyamory bookshelf, Anapol's book has been progressively revised over many years. Anapol is one of the best-known faces of polyamory in the US.
by Maria Palotta-Chiarolli
This intense and engaged story of an Adelaide teenager struggling with the discovery that her family isn't as it seems is a superb read for teenagers, young adult and adults alike. Australian author Maria Palotta-Chiarolli somehow manages to cover an enormous number of issues of lifestyle, sexual and ethnic diversity without becoming bogged down or over-complicating things. A superb writer of academic, educational and auto-biographical works, this is Palotta-Chiarolli's first foray into fiction, and it is a truly stunning debut.
Films
This light and fluffy comedy features a great cast and a nicely-realised poly theme. Starring Cate Blanchett, Bruce Willis and Bill Bob Thornton, it traces the career and romance of two thieves and the woman they actually pick up along the way.
Kevin Spacey and a stellar supporting cast make this film a pleasure to watch. The poly theme is an unashamed sideline to the main plot. Are we starting to see a theme here, however: "Poly is OK for them because they are already outlaws..."
Beware mild spoilers!
Another faintly irritating film from Woody Allen dealing with love, sex and the whole damn thing. Beautifully shot in gorgeous Spanish locations, this film chronicles, amongst other things, the development of a threesome. It has about ten minute of positive poly relationship, then the whole thing is shot to pieces by the insanity of one of the characters. Actually, perhaps this is a lot like real poly...
