Poly Sci/Fi

[threesnocrowd]

Hey does anyone know the name of that Heinlein book that has a strong poly theme? Appreciate your help!

[km34]

Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress have poly themes/arrangements.

[threesnocrowd]

Thank you very much!

[km34]

You are quite welcome. Oddly enough, I've read quite a bit of Heinlein but have never read either of those books. lol

[Emm]

Originally Posted by km34

Stranger in a Strange Land and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress have poly themes/arrangements.

As do (off the top of my head) Friday, Time Enough for Love, and To Sail Beyond the Sunset. Much of his later work could be classified as either "strong poly theme" or "soft porn", depending on your mood at the time.

[km34]

Yeah.. I was introduced to Heinlein by the book "Glory Road," which focuses on a very sexually open society. I enjoy his works.

[caitlin]

Originally Posted by Emm

As do (off the top of my head) Friday, Time Enough for Love, and To Sail Beyond the Sunset. Much of his later work could be classified as either "strong poly theme" or "soft porn", depending on your mood at the time.

Like that description!

Recently reread "Stranger..." and also "I Will Fear No Evil" - both seem rather poly... Heinlein's fiction did rather favour idea of older men and eager young women though....

Best poly attitude I've noted in SF was Vonda McIntire's "Dreamsnake" which imo is a fabulous read and has a marvellously inclusive/feminist perspective on life.

[Kommander]

Originally Posted by Emm

As do (off the top of my head) Friday, Time Enough for Love, and To Sail Beyond the Sunset. Much of his later work could be classified as either "strong poly theme" or "soft porn", depending on your mood at the time.

Job: A Comedy of Justice deals with it in a vague sense. More so open sexuality than relationship or marriage structures, but it's there.

As far as other authors go, Robert J. Sawyer has written some books that mention polyamory as well. The Neanderthal Parallax (Hominids, Humans, and Hybrids) practically centers on it. It involves a parallel universe where our version of humanity is extinct and Neanderthals have developed a modern society, in which most people are bisexual and have both a male and a female partner. In Rollback, which is set a few decades in the future, it is briefly mentioned that polyamory is a little more common and has come to the attention of the mainstream more than it is today. Several of his novels also contain alien races with a variety of socially acceptable mating habits.

[KitWalker]

I'd suggest checking out Spider Robinson. Poly is not a central theme in his work, but he very casually writes about "co-wives" and "co-husbands". And he's fun to read.

[HotPepper]

Ursula le Guin has a great selection of novellas in her book "The Birthday of the World and Other Short Stories." Especially the first short story.

Topics include asexuality, open relationships, bi, gay, straight, quad marriages, and she even invents a new word - "fuckery" - a place to go to get a good.. (more like a human studery, not a brothel as it's for both sexes).

Can I say fuckery here? oops.