sci-fi fantasy lit column stuff - romance!

[rm]

So as I work on the first intro article, I've been struck by a couple of ideas for future articles. One on great out-of-print stuff you should track down, and the other -- wait for it -- a Valentine's Day feature. Yes, that's right, the great (or completely compelling and utterly fucked up, to be more accurate) relationships in sci-fi and fantasy novels.

So far I've got a few on my nomination list (that is, some will make the piece and some won't) including Molly/Case from Neuromancer, Paul/Chani from Dune, Gentle/Pie from Imajica, Alec/Richard from Swordspoint, Phedre/Josclin from Kushiel's Dart, Asriel/Mrs. Coulter from HDM, Jodeau/Xas from The Vintner's Luck (this is the one most likely to get booted right now, as I'm using that book in the out-of-print piece).

But all of this speaks to my particualr biases of the moment. What am I forgetting? What haven't I read that I really should (I know, everything!)? Anyone got some f/f or poly ones for me to reference? I know they are in my brain somewhere, but they're not coming to the fore. As should be obvious from what's above, happily ever after not required. Also more hard sci-fi stuff welcome. I really like hard sci-fi, but I'm largely at a loss on it for this particular list (thank you, William Gibson for making me not look like a total pussy).

Comments

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

Heinlein! Heinlein loves poly relationships. I'm not a diehard fan, so I'm sure there's one who could give you better advice than me, though. The "line marriage" in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the one that comes to mind, though there's not a lot of romance per se in that book.

[rm.livejournal.com]

As I said above:

Omg, please, please let there be a poly option other than Heinlein. Please. You're right of course though. I blocked it out.

hehe. I should add that to my post.

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

well, it's true that Heinlein's not exactly a romantic guy...so we can render him ineligible. :)

[roadnotes.livejournal.com]

Delany: Babel-17 has two triads (I can't remember the names of all of the parties offhand, but Mollya Twa, Navigator One, is part of one (one triad is the three navigators of the ship; the other belonged to the poet captain). Dhalgren has a triad.

Also, Donald Kingsbury's Courtship Rite has a five-marriage seeking to become a six-marriage, in a lovely intricate culture in which human flesh is the primary source of protein on the planet, and if you don't prove yourself valuable enough, you can be a meal. And there's romance in it, too.