In the introduction to Best Bisexual Women’s Erotica, editor Cara Bruce says that “bisexual women have a magical ability to have their cake and eat it, too.” I read this and wondered if Cara Bruce might be mistaken here. Is she thinking of bisexual women, or fat women?

I say this because my sister-in-law usually has her cake and eats it. Actually, I’ve seen her have her cake, eat it, and then eat somebody else’s cake.

However, I suspect Cara Bruce is speaking metaphorically. In a well-crafted introduction to this anthology, Cara explains some of the many problems that face those who are openly bisexual. With an obvious understanding of the situation, Cara tries to dispel some of the main misconceptions that our society has about bisexual women. Bisexuals are usually pictured in threeways; bisexuals usually prefer either boys or girls; bisexuals have no taste—only a voracious appetite and no limits on how that’s satisfied.

Even though I consider myself a fairly open-minded type, I have to admit that Cara’s words made sense and highlighted my own misconceptions. I have friends who are openly bisexual but I’d mentally pigeon-holed them into a couple of these stereotypes.

However, although Cara’s introduction raises some important issues, she makes her point most effectively by presenting an anthology of well-crafted stories tailored for bisexual women everywhere.

There are some absolute gems in this book. Few of them pander to the stereotypical bisexual-woman-fantasy—a three-in-a-bed scenario with the protagonist saying, “I don’t want to come between husband and wife… …or do I?” The stories here are intelligent and well-presented. They are exciting and arousing without pretending that all bisexual women are clones of the token porn stars who swing both ways for the titillation of a mainly male audience.

Helena Settimana’s Triptych is a powerful story of one young woman who is slowly coming to terms with her burgeoning sexuality. Helena writes beautifully—and conveys character with maddening ease. Triptych is one of those tales that should be next to the dictionary definition of “good story-telling.”

Similarly, Susannah Indigo’s The Year of Fucking Badly, is a well-scripted tale that conveys humour and eroticism in equal measures without conforming to the typical stereotypes that our society has burdened on bisexual women.

Best Bisexual Women’s Erotica comes direct from Cleis Press, a publisher renowned for producing high quality books that have been compiled from top writers and top editors. This title is no exception and, as Cara Bruce points out, it’s a damned good way to have your cake and eat it.

Best Bisexual Women’s Erotica edited by Cara Bruce
(Cleis Press; Re-print edition, July 28, 2008; ISBN-10: 1573443204)
Available at: Amazon.com / Amazon UK

© 2008 Ashley Lister. All rights reserved.