`Bisexual Women in the Twenty-First Century` is a new collection of writing reflecting the brave new world of bi women`s experiences.

I should warn you that this book is not a lightweight read, it`s a fairly hardcore academic book, with footnotes, plus obscure essay titles with brackets and all. Also, you may want to take the dust-jacket off your copy of `Tipping the Velvet,` or some Jackie Collins trash before you take `Bisexual Women in the Twenty-First Century` out into the public. This is not because you might be concerned about someone catching you with a book about bisexuals, oh no, it`s because the cover design is truly awful. Imagine the worst, most clichéd and amateurishly-rendered lesbian/earth mother/goddess-worshipping style art, Photoshopped into oblivion, on a nasty green and yellow pastel background and you`re nearly there. This cover is one of the worst I have ever seen, it`s embarrassingly bad and does the content of this book a great disservice. Anyway, if you can get over these first two hurdles, then you`re in for a treat.

Bisexuality is at the cutting edge of hip queer theory, which means that after decades of being ignored or totally trashed by the lesbian and gay mainstream, bisexual women are at last taking centre stage. It`s a real pleasure to read a book about bisexual women that is confident, thought-provoking, challenging and intelligent. The essays within `Bisexual Women in the Twenty-First Century` address the legacy of lesbian feminism, homophobia, inclusion, and plenty of material about identity.

The best thing by far in the collection is Carol Queen`s personal discussion of growing up bi, which is moving and funny and righteously angry. There`s also a very interesting piece about the controversy that arose when one lesbian and gay community became split over the question of allowing bisexual women to join a Pride march. A lot of the reflections are depressingly familiar and make you wonder why we all just can`t get along with each other, but it`s exciting and encouraging to see these issues being addressed from the other side of the fence for a change. Or should that be from a fence-sitting position?

Bisexual Women in the Twenty-First Century, edited by Dawn Atkins

Published by: Harrington Park Press
ISBN: 1560233036
Price: £15

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