Consensual Non-Monogamy in Literature

Consensual Non-Monogamy in Literature

This article relates to Ways and Means

Recent research suggests about 4-5% of Americans are currently in relationships that break the convention of monogamy. While there is some fluidity to the terms used for different types of non-monogamy, an open relationship often refers to a couple being romantically and emotionally, but not sexually, monogamous, while polyamory often refers to the practice or option of having multiple relationships of a sexual and romantic nature. The common factor in all consensually non-monogamous relationships is that, by definition, everyone involved in the arrangement is aware of and consents to the terms of it.

With the visibility of non-monogamous relationships on the rise, we're also seeing more of them in the literary world. In Ways and Means by Daniel Lefferts, the main character is sleeping with both members of a couple. Below are five other books that depict polyamorous or open relationships.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

This 2021 science-fiction fantasy novel, based on the story of China's only female emperor, is among the first popular young adult books to include polyamory. In an interview with United by Pop, author Zhao says they were surprised to find they were breaking new ground: "I'd assumed it was already a common thing, but apparently not?"

Luster by Raven Leilani

This provocative literary work won the Kirkus Prize for fiction in 2020. It tells the story of a young Black woman dating an older white man who is in an open marriage. When she loses her job, she moves in with him…and his wife and daughter. The novel, a debut, was praised for its raw and original voice.

More by Molly Roden Winter

This buzzy recent release is a memoir of the author's life as a busy mother in an open marriage. In a New York Times profile, Winter shares her willingness to reveal the intimate details of her marriage and sex life, saying: "I've been spending a lot of my time calming everybody else down. This doesn't feel like something I need to be afraid of."

Next Year, For Sure by Zoey Leigh Peterson

This 2017 novel explores what happens when a long-term couple decides to open up their relationship. When Kathryn's partner of almost a decade, Chris, admits to having a crush on a casual acquaintance, Kathryn encourages him to ask her out. This critically acclaimed book documents the funny, tender and messy year that follows.

The Body Myth by Rheea Mukherjee

A recently widowed teacher witnesses a beautiful woman appear to have a seizure in the park, and rushes over to help. She soon gets drawn into a romantic relationship with the woman and her husband in this 2019 book that explores themes of mental illness and loss.



It seems likely that we'll see more portrayals of non-monogamy in the literary world as polyamory and open relationships become more mainstream. There's certainly an appetite for them. As one poster on the r/polyamory subreddit writes, "I feel like when we can depict poly relationships and it's not a complete shock that it works for everyone we will have finally made it."

Filed under Society and Politics

This article relates to Ways and Means. It first ran in the February 7, 2024 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.