What Does Polyamory Look Like?: Polydiverse Patterns of Loving and Living in Modern Polyamorous Relationships

by Mim Chapman

"Finally, a book that explores what it truly means to be polyamorous by exploring the wonderful variety of poly relationships. Only through understanding poly's innate diversity can one grasp what open relationships can off er. Th ank you, Mim, for a book that is relevant and useful, as polyamory moves out of the shadows and into the mainstream of society. It is an important resource for anyone who wishes to understand the growing poly movement as it changes our society and challenges our presumptions about relationships. Bravo!" Robyn Trask, Executive Director of Loving More Non-Profit and Magazine What is your relationship dream, and what options are out there to choose from? We're familiar with monogamy, but what additional models of loving and living are offered by polyamory, and what do they look like in action? How is polyamory different from polygamy, swinging, or "cheating"? What new forms of etiquette are needed in order to nurture polys' varied forms of family? Is it really possible to have a relationship in which love does not equal possessiveness? "Any relationship, from monogamous marriage to business enterprise to polyamorous family, will benefit from the practical relationship advice found within the covers of this well-written little book." Matthew C. Cox, Life Coach and Author of Living the Southwest Lifestyle "Just the right balance between information, candor, and lightheartedness." Dr. Fred Hillman, GLBT activist and retired Family Therapist "Don't let the size of this little book fool you. What Does Polyamory Look Like? is chock full of information about how to build honest, loving, and lasting relationships. Therapists and educators, take note! Dr. Chapman dispels the myths of polyamory and teaches us all about how to create and sustain the relationships of which we've dreamed." Sera Miles, Director of New Mexico FetLifers

Genres: Sexuality, Nonfiction, Relationships, Polyamory, Sociology

156 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2010

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book suffers because the author attempt at putting together a coherent framework to describe poly quickly becomes restrictive and forced. It was also too heteronormative for my taste and lacked gender inclusive language.

[Mary Preston]

This ok was excellent and I think it has tips that are good for both poly people and monogamous people

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

The objective of this book is to outline some of the more common forms of polyamorous relationship styles. Unfortunately in its attempt to force the descriptions to conform to the letters P-O-L-Y the reader won't come away with nomenclature that is useful in navigating the current poly landscape. If one goes into a poly forum and begins to talk about wanting to be in a poly P, or O relationship, no one will have any idea what they mean, except maybe the few people who have read this book. Overall a good concept, but poor execution.

[Lilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative but also a tad confusing. The various categories of Poly had me feeling like I needed a cheat sheet or legend as I read.

Also, while helpful in some ways for me, this never once addressed long-distance poly (other than the author giving instances of being in one herself, but that tells me nothing about how to handle your long-distance partner suddenly finding someone local, how to all handle that, and move forward as triad), which is what I now find myself in.

And I was not pleased she recommended Raven Kaldera at one point.