The New Infidelity: What makes polyamory and open relationships work?

Naoise Dolan’s anticipated follow up to Exciting Times is just one of many books and TV shows exploring open relationships. Is polyamory having a moment?

Virginia Colfer Merriman attributes the success of her polyamorous relationships to being self-aware. Picture: Patrick Browne

There is a default way in which the Western world structures romantic relationships. Being romantically involved with one person at a time, a practice more commonly known as monogamy, is the accepted dynamic in which romantic relationships exist — and couples who deviate away from this can be criticised, vilified, and in extreme cases, ostracised by their peers.

It’s a theme that is set to be explored in the Irish literary world courtesy of two new titles that are about to published. Naoise Dolan’s second novel, The Happy Couple, was described as being “nihilistic about heteronormative relationships,” by Marian Keyes, and Bryan Moriarty’s debut novel, Sounds Like Fun, explores the downsides of an open relationship. The award-winning White Lotus also made it a talking point.