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Beklan Empire #1
Maia
Maia is a fifteen-year-old peasant beauty growing up in poverty beside Lake Serrelind. Seduced by her stepfather and betrayed by her jealous mother, Maia finds herself in the hands of slave-traders to be sold as a concubine. She attracts the attention of General Kembri who uses her to obtain information from her admirers and her adventures uncover a plot for civil war. Proclaimed as a heroine, she finds that one sinister result of fame is to have enemies in high places and Maia has to struggle for survival through treachery, cruelty, lost love and a final flight through a wild empire to escape a crumbling regime.
1224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 27, 1984
160 people are currently reading
2481 people want to read
About the author
Richard Adams
85 books2,264 followersAdams was born in Newbury, Berkshire. From 1933 until 1938 he was educated at Bradfield College. In 1938 he went up to Worcester College, Oxford to read Modern History. On 3 September 1939 Neville Chamberlain announced that the United Kingdom was at war with Germany. In 1940 Adams joined the British Army, in which he served until 1946. He received a class B discharge enabling him to return to Worcester to continue his studies for a further two years (1946-48). He took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1948 and of Master of Arts in 1953.
He was a senior civil servant who worked as an Assistant Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, later part of the Department of the Environment, from 1948 to 1974. Since 1974, following publication of his second novel, Shardik, he has been a full-time author.
He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters, Juliet and Rosamund, and they insisted he publish it as a book. It took two years to write and was rejected by thirteen publishers. When Watership Down was finally published, it sold over a million copies in record time in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Watership Down has become a modern classic and won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972. To date, Adams' best-known work has sold over 50 million copies world-wide, earning him more than all his other books put together.
As of 1982, he was President of the RSPCA.
He also contested the 1983 general election, standing as an Independent Conservative in the Spelthorne constituency on a platform of opposition to fox hunting.
He was a senior civil servant who worked as an Assistant Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, later part of the Department of the Environment, from 1948 to 1974. Since 1974, following publication of his second novel, Shardik, he has been a full-time author.
He originally began telling the story of Watership Down to his two daughters, Juliet and Rosamund, and they insisted he publish it as a book. It took two years to write and was rejected by thirteen publishers. When Watership Down was finally published, it sold over a million copies in record time in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Watership Down has become a modern classic and won both the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 1972. To date, Adams' best-known work has sold over 50 million copies world-wide, earning him more than all his other books put together.
As of 1982, he was President of the RSPCA.
He also contested the 1983 general election, standing as an Independent Conservative in the Spelthorne constituency on a platform of opposition to fox hunting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
November 3, 2011
Boy...I am surprised at how many people here gave this book a low rating and claimed it was "social commentary on women" or that the author obviously has a low opinion of women or portrays women negatively. Really? Did we read the same book? This book is full of strong and admirable female characters...and even some not-so-admirable female characters who still cannot be said to be dumb, small-brained, only interested in sex, or any other misrepresentation slung about here in these reviews.
Maia is a fantasy novel by virtue of the fact that it's set in an imaginary place, but that's where the fantasy elements end. Otherwise, it's more likely to appeal to fans of historical fiction, with its focus on political intrigue, plots within plots, and the fates of rulers -- and their concubines. (Maybe that's why I found it so palatable. Rather than seeing it as some kind of condescension toward women, it strikes me as fitting right in with the rest of the historical fiction I love to read.)
The book is long, and Adams occasionally becomes long-winded, going into meandering digressions about various characters' histories. But the characters are so interesting and Adams' writing is so typically picturesque that it never bothered me enough to remove this book from my shelf. (In fact, I had three hardcover copies of this out-of-print gem, and I treasured them, but neglected to rescue them from my ex-husband's house when I moved out. :( )
The big strength of this book is its various characters, all of whom are well-painted and memorable. Contrary to what other reviewers thought, I found Maia to be not dumb or simple but compelling in her innocence and sweetness. She is sometimes naive, but she is earnest and kind, and when faced with a terrible situation (such as, for example, being sold into sexual slavery) rather than withering up and dying she adapts to her new world with the most positive attitude she can muster. As the novel progresses she grows a little older and a little wiser, and finally comes into her own as a heroic, brave young woman, willing to put her life on the line to save innocent lives. She's a main character worth rooting for, even if she's not perfect.
Occula is another female character who exudes confidence and power from the first moment she appears on the page. She is intelligent, cunning, possessed of great inner strength and patience that would make a monk envious. Occula is one of the most memorable characters in all of fiction, in my opinion, and for reviewers to write her obvious importance out entirely by saying that this book portrays a poor view of women is just ridiculous. This book wouldn't be what it is without Occula. She is integral to the plot and to the development of so many other characters and their subplots. I have a hard time imagining a sexist author would write such a character into his book. Or at least, a sexist author would "punish" such a character in some way for the mere fact of her greatness -- but on the contrary, Occula arrives in Bekla under her own terms, serves where she means to serve, and, in the end, gets exactly what she wants in exactly the way she wants it, and ends up fabulously wealthy and happy as a clam. This doesn't seem like the creation of a sexist writer.
Maia is a long, sensory, in-depth journey through Adams' fictional world, and the reader is guided by a host of fascinating characters. Don't pass this one up, especially if you love Adams' other works or if you are a fan of character-dense historical fiction.
Maia is a fantasy novel by virtue of the fact that it's set in an imaginary place, but that's where the fantasy elements end. Otherwise, it's more likely to appeal to fans of historical fiction, with its focus on political intrigue, plots within plots, and the fates of rulers -- and their concubines. (Maybe that's why I found it so palatable. Rather than seeing it as some kind of condescension toward women, it strikes me as fitting right in with the rest of the historical fiction I love to read.)
The book is long, and Adams occasionally becomes long-winded, going into meandering digressions about various characters' histories. But the characters are so interesting and Adams' writing is so typically picturesque that it never bothered me enough to remove this book from my shelf. (In fact, I had three hardcover copies of this out-of-print gem, and I treasured them, but neglected to rescue them from my ex-husband's house when I moved out. :( )
The big strength of this book is its various characters, all of whom are well-painted and memorable. Contrary to what other reviewers thought, I found Maia to be not dumb or simple but compelling in her innocence and sweetness. She is sometimes naive, but she is earnest and kind, and when faced with a terrible situation (such as, for example, being sold into sexual slavery) rather than withering up and dying she adapts to her new world with the most positive attitude she can muster. As the novel progresses she grows a little older and a little wiser, and finally comes into her own as a heroic, brave young woman, willing to put her life on the line to save innocent lives. She's a main character worth rooting for, even if she's not perfect.
Occula is another female character who exudes confidence and power from the first moment she appears on the page. She is intelligent, cunning, possessed of great inner strength and patience that would make a monk envious. Occula is one of the most memorable characters in all of fiction, in my opinion, and for reviewers to write her obvious importance out entirely by saying that this book portrays a poor view of women is just ridiculous. This book wouldn't be what it is without Occula. She is integral to the plot and to the development of so many other characters and their subplots. I have a hard time imagining a sexist author would write such a character into his book. Or at least, a sexist author would "punish" such a character in some way for the mere fact of her greatness -- but on the contrary, Occula arrives in Bekla under her own terms, serves where she means to serve, and, in the end, gets exactly what she wants in exactly the way she wants it, and ends up fabulously wealthy and happy as a clam. This doesn't seem like the creation of a sexist writer.
Maia is a long, sensory, in-depth journey through Adams' fictional world, and the reader is guided by a host of fascinating characters. Don't pass this one up, especially if you love Adams' other works or if you are a fan of character-dense historical fiction.
January 17, 2008
This is the dirtiest book I have ever read. Besides that, it is an incredible fantasy story. Two years later and it is still infecting my dreams.
July 26, 2011
Just another masterpiece from the pen of Richard Adams. A prequel of sorts to Adams' second novel, Shardik, Maia (written ten years later)does include many of the same characters from Shardik, although the plots of the two novels have little relation to each other. Both works, based in Adams' richly detailed world, including the Beklan empire and some adjoining territories, are long-format epics, with plots that span periods of a few years.
Although Shardik, with its exploration of religion, its ambiguities and abuses by opportunists, must be considered the more ambitious work, Maia is more than an adventure lark. It is a coming-of-age story, in which its protagonist's wealth of experiences result in her meteoric growth in emotional maturity from an innocent girl living in the moment to a worldly-wise woman, sure of what she wants from the world. The changes are pleasingly subtle; Maia loses nothing of her fun-loving nature or spontaneity, but does grow by leaps and bounds in her understanding of and thus her ability to deal with the people she encounters in her adventures.
The sexual elements of the story are trumpeted a bit too much by many reviewers. This is a work of fiction, so there is no call to be offended by Maia's seduction by her stepfather or her subsequent abduction and lifestyle as a slave "bed girl." I'm amazed that there are those prudish enough to be deterred from continuing by these plot elements. Sex is one of the most important motivating factors among humans, so it stands to reason that in the primitive Beklan cultures especially, it should play a major role in religion and lifestyle.
Conversely, although Maia's sexual escapades are titillating and endear Maia to the reader, this novel is far more than a work of erotica. Once Maia is free and falls in love, the sex becomes quite sparse. So readers mostly focused on the sex are bound to grow disappointed. However, I don't see why a tale like this one would fail to draw in most any reader. It's chock-full of interesting characters, sub-plots, intrigue, romance and, of course, swashbuckling adventure. Most importantly, it is written with a mastery of language that is undeniable. A must for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure novel.
Although Shardik, with its exploration of religion, its ambiguities and abuses by opportunists, must be considered the more ambitious work, Maia is more than an adventure lark. It is a coming-of-age story, in which its protagonist's wealth of experiences result in her meteoric growth in emotional maturity from an innocent girl living in the moment to a worldly-wise woman, sure of what she wants from the world. The changes are pleasingly subtle; Maia loses nothing of her fun-loving nature or spontaneity, but does grow by leaps and bounds in her understanding of and thus her ability to deal with the people she encounters in her adventures.
The sexual elements of the story are trumpeted a bit too much by many reviewers. This is a work of fiction, so there is no call to be offended by Maia's seduction by her stepfather or her subsequent abduction and lifestyle as a slave "bed girl." I'm amazed that there are those prudish enough to be deterred from continuing by these plot elements. Sex is one of the most important motivating factors among humans, so it stands to reason that in the primitive Beklan cultures especially, it should play a major role in religion and lifestyle.
Conversely, although Maia's sexual escapades are titillating and endear Maia to the reader, this novel is far more than a work of erotica. Once Maia is free and falls in love, the sex becomes quite sparse. So readers mostly focused on the sex are bound to grow disappointed. However, I don't see why a tale like this one would fail to draw in most any reader. It's chock-full of interesting characters, sub-plots, intrigue, romance and, of course, swashbuckling adventure. Most importantly, it is written with a mastery of language that is undeniable. A must for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy adventure novel.
February 12, 2018
Richard Adams' mastery of rhetoric makes this book one of my all-time favorites. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it did, and continued to do so for the novel's entirety.
It is so rare to find strong character-driven stories with a good mastery of language. Afterward, I tried picking up novels by other authors and I felt like my IQ was dropping!
Adams challenges you with his intricate fictitious cultures, civilization, plot lines, complex characters. As a female, I found the sexual scenes so poetic (and funny) that they weren't in the least bit offensive. I applauded Adams, even sharing my favorite parts with friends.
I found myself falling in love with many of the characters. I'm going to devote my reading to Richard Adams' books and none other for a longtime.
It is so rare to find strong character-driven stories with a good mastery of language. Afterward, I tried picking up novels by other authors and I felt like my IQ was dropping!
Adams challenges you with his intricate fictitious cultures, civilization, plot lines, complex characters. As a female, I found the sexual scenes so poetic (and funny) that they weren't in the least bit offensive. I applauded Adams, even sharing my favorite parts with friends.
I found myself falling in love with many of the characters. I'm going to devote my reading to Richard Adams' books and none other for a longtime.
January 17, 2019
Sometimes when you read a book, it just seems to call out to you; you suddenly know that you will love it and it will be special to you. This was the case with Maia. There is no review I can give this that will do this book justice. It has been a journey. It has been an adventure. I will never forget this novel and it has surely warmed my heart and found a place in it.
This book was very little like I expected from the synopsis. I remember coming across it here on GoodReads and being intrigued. Since it was out of print and extremely inexpensive (about $6 if I remember correctly) I bought it from B&N Used online. I then promptly put it on my desk and forgot about it for months and months. (Hard to do when it is a 1000+ page hardcover!)
When I eventually set down to read it I was hesitant, but it turned out the be just what the doctor ordered. With a wonderful protagonist, colorful characters and a great setting, I was never bored with this story. From her time as a slave girl to her triumph as the Serrelinda, Maia's character appealed to me so much. The descriptiveness and mythology inherent in Maia are phenomenal. From Occula, to Anda-Nokomis to Zenka to Elvair to Meris and far beyond I now feel as if I know and cherish these characters. The culture, world, and society created within these pages are fantastic and he has really set the bar for me in regards to writing style and detail.
I look forward to reading this book over and over in the years to come and sharing my love with others. My boyfriend was kind enough to find me a copy of Shardik, to which Maia is a prequel. I am unsure if it will live up to Maia in my mind but I certainly hope it at least captures some of the splendor I felt while reading this novel. I also look forward to eventually reading Watership Down his most noted masterpiece. Thank you Richard Adams, for a truly wonderful and exciting read. I shan't forget it.
2018: Just as a good on a second read (all ~1070 pages oof) that kept me up during the night, had me reading 400 pages in a day, and carting this huge hardcover everywhere. Worth the Kindle version too which is now available on Amazon! The descriptions (like the costumes ex. thing a shearna pulls her nipples through) continue to astound me and yay for Occula being childfree unlike Maia ;) As much as I enjoy his other works, to me this is surely Richard Adams at his best.
This book was very little like I expected from the synopsis. I remember coming across it here on GoodReads and being intrigued. Since it was out of print and extremely inexpensive (about $6 if I remember correctly) I bought it from B&N Used online. I then promptly put it on my desk and forgot about it for months and months. (Hard to do when it is a 1000+ page hardcover!)
When I eventually set down to read it I was hesitant, but it turned out the be just what the doctor ordered. With a wonderful protagonist, colorful characters and a great setting, I was never bored with this story. From her time as a slave girl to her triumph as the Serrelinda, Maia's character appealed to me so much. The descriptiveness and mythology inherent in Maia are phenomenal. From Occula, to Anda-Nokomis to Zenka to Elvair to Meris and far beyond I now feel as if I know and cherish these characters. The culture, world, and society created within these pages are fantastic and he has really set the bar for me in regards to writing style and detail.
I look forward to reading this book over and over in the years to come and sharing my love with others. My boyfriend was kind enough to find me a copy of Shardik, to which Maia is a prequel. I am unsure if it will live up to Maia in my mind but I certainly hope it at least captures some of the splendor I felt while reading this novel. I also look forward to eventually reading Watership Down his most noted masterpiece. Thank you Richard Adams, for a truly wonderful and exciting read. I shan't forget it.
2018: Just as a good on a second read (all ~1070 pages oof) that kept me up during the night, had me reading 400 pages in a day, and carting this huge hardcover everywhere. Worth the Kindle version too which is now available on Amazon! The descriptions (like the costumes ex. thing a shearna pulls her nipples through) continue to astound me and yay for Occula being childfree unlike Maia ;) As much as I enjoy his other works, to me this is surely Richard Adams at his best.
January 19, 2009
It took some time for me to determine exactly why I didn't like this book. After all, I deeply loved Shardik, set in the same world, and Adams writes some damn good erotica. So why didn't Maia do it for me?
In re-reading, Shardik, I realized what was missing in Maia: Maia was a character that observed and experienced, but never acted. Her presence triggered major events, but only seemingly by default -- any other character, put in her position, could have triggered the same events. Maia, ultimately, had all the self-determination and personality of a vagina-equipped surveillance camera.
In contrast, each of the major (and many minor) characters in Shardik had fully-realized personalities, and were (usually) actively pursuing their own goals, rather than being shifted back and forth by fate (or plot requirements).
In re-reading, Shardik, I realized what was missing in Maia: Maia was a character that observed and experienced, but never acted. Her presence triggered major events, but only seemingly by default -- any other character, put in her position, could have triggered the same events. Maia, ultimately, had all the self-determination and personality of a vagina-equipped surveillance camera.
In contrast, each of the major (and many minor) characters in Shardik had fully-realized personalities, and were (usually) actively pursuing their own goals, rather than being shifted back and forth by fate (or plot requirements).
September 13, 2015
Richard Adams's MAIA is like a bizarre combination of Jacqueline Carey's KUSHIEL series's premise (alt-world low-fantasy setting about a woman of famed beauty who gains influence through her work as a sex slave and ensuing travels and espionage and whatnot) and Hillary Mantel's WOLF HALL's arc (low-born rises to surprising political prominence; intriguing abounds). Except that it was written seventeen years before the former and twenty-five years before the latter -- making those two (much more successful) works derivative, and not inspirational, of it.
MAIA is a strange read, from a modern perspective. As a feminist, I was genuinely shocked by how unoffensive it was to my sensibilities, especially after glancing over the preexisting reviews on this site -- in fact, I was impressed by the representation of a wide range of:
[1] female personalities -- Adams's Beklan Empire is well-populated with women, and while his portrayal of them is not always flattering, the same can be said just as well of the male characters;
[2] sexualities -- while not explored in-depth, Maia's own sexuality would be today termed bisexual; her closest woman friend (and lover) openly prefers the company of other women to men; and one of the men who hold respectable positions of employment is explicitly stated to be gay, with no repercussions either to his social or political standing;
[3] racial differences -- though only one character is non-white, that one is the most compelling and well-drawn of them all, earning the respect of every other character who meets her; and when one man, in ignorance, assumes her to be a "savage," not only is her revenge absolute perfection, but the backlash of shocked embarrassment from every other white character in the company is such an accurate portrayal of what would be seen during this exchange in our own society (where such topics tend to be swept under the rug rather than addressed in "polite" conversation) that it is perhaps my favorite such exchange in fantasy literature not actually written by a PoC.
On the other hand, the novel has a strange relationship to issues of identity, patriotism, and social structure; and a flat-out nonsensical geological setting (RE: map -- rivers DO NOT WORK THAT WAY). My main complaint, however, is for the pacing and plot structure, which fell out approximately to these ratios:
- First half: Slow. So, so slow.
- Next quarter: Steadily accelerating, approaching enjoyable.
- Next eighth: Quite the page-turner.
- Final eighth: Rushed, fumbled, and predictable.
The slowness of the opening, in particular, as well as the complete disregard for accepted and expected story architecture, mark this book out as one which Would Not Be Publishable on today's market -- it's hard to imagine a modern reader picking this up for the first time (other than myself, with my morbid curiosity as to the potential of a pre-KUSHIEL male-written prostitute-led fantasy novel) would ever work their way past the first fifty pages. And, note, this book has TWELVE-HUNDRED.
I did get through them all, though, and for a reason I haven't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I did -- if not, it wouldn't have earned that second star. There's a certain charm to MAIA -- and to Maia, the character, despite her poor decision-making abilities. She is introduced in the opening scene as having three particular skills: swimming, flower-crown-weaving, and embracing what some would call "imagination" and others "delusion" to the effect of a blind optimism. Well, that and extraordinarily dumb-founding beauty, which is less a skill than a life-determining quality. These three skills (and quality) do not seem like enough to take a heroine through a high-stakes epic fantasy plotline with any hope of success -- and yet, each one turns out to serve her handily, and she manages to use them to great effect in shaping the course of the Beklan Empire's future (yes, even flower crowns).
So I suppose what I enjoy in this book is that Maia is just a girl -- a beautiful girl, but other than that one with no more qualifications than your average 16-year-old who happens to be on the swim team. She's just a girl, and yet that's all she needs to be to save the world. And that's actually a pretty great message to see.
MAIA is a strange read, from a modern perspective. As a feminist, I was genuinely shocked by how unoffensive it was to my sensibilities, especially after glancing over the preexisting reviews on this site -- in fact, I was impressed by the representation of a wide range of:
[1] female personalities -- Adams's Beklan Empire is well-populated with women, and while his portrayal of them is not always flattering, the same can be said just as well of the male characters;
[2] sexualities -- while not explored in-depth, Maia's own sexuality would be today termed bisexual; her closest woman friend (and lover) openly prefers the company of other women to men; and one of the men who hold respectable positions of employment is explicitly stated to be gay, with no repercussions either to his social or political standing;
[3] racial differences -- though only one character is non-white, that one is the most compelling and well-drawn of them all, earning the respect of every other character who meets her; and when one man, in ignorance, assumes her to be a "savage," not only is her revenge absolute perfection, but the backlash of shocked embarrassment from every other white character in the company is such an accurate portrayal of what would be seen during this exchange in our own society (where such topics tend to be swept under the rug rather than addressed in "polite" conversation) that it is perhaps my favorite such exchange in fantasy literature not actually written by a PoC.
On the other hand, the novel has a strange relationship to issues of identity, patriotism, and social structure; and a flat-out nonsensical geological setting (RE: map -- rivers DO NOT WORK THAT WAY). My main complaint, however, is for the pacing and plot structure, which fell out approximately to these ratios:
- First half: Slow. So, so slow.
- Next quarter: Steadily accelerating, approaching enjoyable.
- Next eighth: Quite the page-turner.
- Final eighth: Rushed, fumbled, and predictable.
The slowness of the opening, in particular, as well as the complete disregard for accepted and expected story architecture, mark this book out as one which Would Not Be Publishable on today's market -- it's hard to imagine a modern reader picking this up for the first time (other than myself, with my morbid curiosity as to the potential of a pre-KUSHIEL male-written prostitute-led fantasy novel) would ever work their way past the first fifty pages. And, note, this book has TWELVE-HUNDRED.
I did get through them all, though, and for a reason I haven't quite put my finger on, I'm glad I did -- if not, it wouldn't have earned that second star. There's a certain charm to MAIA -- and to Maia, the character, despite her poor decision-making abilities. She is introduced in the opening scene as having three particular skills: swimming, flower-crown-weaving, and embracing what some would call "imagination" and others "delusion" to the effect of a blind optimism. Well, that and extraordinarily dumb-founding beauty, which is less a skill than a life-determining quality. These three skills (and quality) do not seem like enough to take a heroine through a high-stakes epic fantasy plotline with any hope of success -- and yet, each one turns out to serve her handily, and she manages to use them to great effect in shaping the course of the Beklan Empire's future (yes, even flower crowns).
So I suppose what I enjoy in this book is that Maia is just a girl -- a beautiful girl, but other than that one with no more qualifications than your average 16-year-old who happens to be on the swim team. She's just a girl, and yet that's all she needs to be to save the world. And that's actually a pretty great message to see.
May 22, 2011
This book is so rich that no matter how many times I read it, I always find something new to enjoy, or I find I've forgotten something. The world is a character as much as any of the sprawling cast. Anyone who enjoys Song of Ice and Fire may very well enjoy this, as it has the same intricate politics and minimal fantasy elements.
My one regret for this book is that it was written during an era when black people were still rampantly exoticized in fiction, and so there's a few moments where I wince a bit or roll my eyes. Even then, the one black character is still so well-developed that she seems like a real person--someone we'd love to know.
My one regret for this book is that it was written during an era when black people were still rampantly exoticized in fiction, and so there's a few moments where I wince a bit or roll my eyes. Even then, the one black character is still so well-developed that she seems like a real person--someone we'd love to know.
November 26, 2007
great storytelling. sexist in the extreme. this book has been redubbed "Maia: Nubile Wench" in our household.
March 3, 2010
In the late 80's I was invited on an incredible sailing vacation. I flew to a tiny island in the Bahamas and was picked up by friends who were sailing the islands for the winter. I was told to pack light and soft. We would tour several small islands and enjoy the beautiful Caribbean for a long time - at least a week, as I recall. I knew I couldn't go without a book, and figured I'd better get a big one, so I wouldn't run out of book on some paradise without a bookstore. I had enjoyed Richard Adams before, so I bought this book based on over 1200 pages in paperback. I wasn't disappointed either! The vacation was fantastic, and I had story to spare for the drive home from the airport.
March 6, 2010
Read this two decades ago, and I read it again periodically (much to the distress of those living with me, for I disappear over a period of two or three days whenever I crack it again). Maia is the sort of blissful innocent I occasionally envy--she plunges in when others pause to think and somehow benefits herself in the end. The cast of characters around Maia are varied and capture my interest more fully than she. A few vivid scenes make it an oddly compelling read for those wishing to escape their heads in the midst of financial and other meltdowns.
October 25, 2011
Richard Adams should've stuck to writing the internal lives of rabbits, though it is clear that he thinks the female brain is much the same size.
Better title for this book: "INCEST AND THE INGENUE" or "young women are so dumb but sometimes they are pretty and I wish I could watch them enjoy nonconsensual sex".
The "heroine" namesake of this novel is written as the quintessential ingenue: vapid, naive, constantly in peril that she is too busy fretting to recognize and avoid. Adams clearly wrote this 1200 page tome of trash so that he (and you the reader) can participate in the oh-so-appealing role of father/molester that the pov maintains throughout. We can always see the larger (obvious, contrived, uncomplicated) picture while Maia stumbles around like a bimbette in a horror flick: tripping over nothing with her skirt flipping up, running into the the arms of danger, stopping to fix her hair when she should be running...
Watch Maia get sold into slavery, screwed literally and figuratively (over the course of years!), and saved again and again by her pubescent body (appealing to every man she meets! wow!) and perhaps that she is goddess-touched. P.s. that goddess is revered for being a young girl who gave into her "animal desires" and had (boring, undescribed) sex with a large white goat (who she didn't realize was a god incarnate). WOW, what a Goddess! Let's build a temple!
FINE. Start a character off naive and sheltered, unaware of her sexual desires and the ways of world around her. But for Lespa's sake, HAVE HER GROW AND LEARN TO NAVIGATE! Do not misunderstand me: I LOooooOOVE a sex-laden, s/m inspired novel with divine forces controlling the path of a young woman coming-of-age. THAT IS MY JAM. But why write TWELVE HUNDRED PAGES and not make your heroine intelligent???? Because you don't know how: because you are an idiot, a misogynist, or both.
PLEASE read Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series instead!
Better title for this book: "INCEST AND THE INGENUE" or "young women are so dumb but sometimes they are pretty and I wish I could watch them enjoy nonconsensual sex".
The "heroine" namesake of this novel is written as the quintessential ingenue: vapid, naive, constantly in peril that she is too busy fretting to recognize and avoid. Adams clearly wrote this 1200 page tome of trash so that he (and you the reader) can participate in the oh-so-appealing role of father/molester that the pov maintains throughout. We can always see the larger (obvious, contrived, uncomplicated) picture while Maia stumbles around like a bimbette in a horror flick: tripping over nothing with her skirt flipping up, running into the the arms of danger, stopping to fix her hair when she should be running...
Watch Maia get sold into slavery, screwed literally and figuratively (over the course of years!), and saved again and again by her pubescent body (appealing to every man she meets! wow!) and perhaps that she is goddess-touched. P.s. that goddess is revered for being a young girl who gave into her "animal desires" and had (boring, undescribed) sex with a large white goat (who she didn't realize was a god incarnate). WOW, what a Goddess! Let's build a temple!
FINE. Start a character off naive and sheltered, unaware of her sexual desires and the ways of world around her. But for Lespa's sake, HAVE HER GROW AND LEARN TO NAVIGATE! Do not misunderstand me: I LOooooOOVE a sex-laden, s/m inspired novel with divine forces controlling the path of a young woman coming-of-age. THAT IS MY JAM. But why write TWELVE HUNDRED PAGES and not make your heroine intelligent???? Because you don't know how: because you are an idiot, a misogynist, or both.
PLEASE read Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series instead!
January 22, 2017
Probably Richard Adams' worst book. It isn't even worth my time to review it.
Read my review of the first book, exclude the good things mentioned, and everything that remains describes Maia perfectly.
Read my review of the first book, exclude the good things mentioned, and everything that remains describes Maia perfectly.
June 16, 2025
I first read this book a long time ago when I was about 18 or so. I picked it up at the library because of how much I had loved Watership Down. As all the reviews have stated, this book is very different and may not appeal to the same audiences. However, I found it to be utterly absorbing and compelling. Adams is an superb storyteller. His fantasy world depicts an empire that is in transition from a kind of feudalism to a more money-based commercial/capitalist society. A corrupt group of conspirators takes advantage of the merchants' discontent with the old aristocracy, to execute a coup and rule the empire to suit themselves. This group (called the Leopards) are in power at the time when the heroine, Maia, is sold into slavery and is brought to the city as a concubine. Through the influence of her older and more experienced friend, Occula, Maia learns to leverage her beauty and desirability into success as a slave/prostitute and is then forced to become a spy for the Leopard regime. Through an act of extreme heroism, though, she becomes the focus of public adulation, which (ironically) puts her life in danger, and she must risk everything in order to gain a more meaningful and happy life.
I was surprised to see how many readers commented on the novel's sexual content, because the actual sex scenes, to me, are not that erotic. I guess what disturbs people are the way that Adams explores the 'dark side' of sexuality, including masochism and sadism, in connection with the corrupt Leopards--especially the two most evil, Sencho and Fornis. Think about this in terms of the corrupt decadence of the Roman Empire, and you won't be far wrong. The exploits of Caligula and Nero actually make those in this novel seem pretty tame. In particular, the character of Fornis fascinates me. She is one of the most memorable villains I’ve ever encountered in literature: ruthless, cruel, reckless, willful, but also brave and charismatic. Her twisted sexual pathology is disgusting but intriguing, in a sick and demented way. Her character seems so real that I can’t help feeling that she must be based on some real historical figure—maybe the Roman empress Messalina? Or Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary? Or Irma Grese? Every time I read this novel, I find myself trying to figure her out—how did she get that way?
In response to the novel's supposed 'sexism,' I'll concede that there's a few lines that irritate me because they are, indeed, sexist. For example, Adams says at one point that a man's mind is a "ruled kingdom," while a woman's mind is kind of a reflection of natural chaos. Grrrr. However, as others have argued, this novel has extremely powerful and interesting women characters, including Occula, Fornis, Meris, and even Maia herself. In my opinion, Maia does achieve heroism, as her youthful selfishness, when confronted by the reality of suffering and injustice, evolves into a more compassionate and courageous womanhood.
I was surprised to see how many readers commented on the novel's sexual content, because the actual sex scenes, to me, are not that erotic. I guess what disturbs people are the way that Adams explores the 'dark side' of sexuality, including masochism and sadism, in connection with the corrupt Leopards--especially the two most evil, Sencho and Fornis. Think about this in terms of the corrupt decadence of the Roman Empire, and you won't be far wrong. The exploits of Caligula and Nero actually make those in this novel seem pretty tame. In particular, the character of Fornis fascinates me. She is one of the most memorable villains I’ve ever encountered in literature: ruthless, cruel, reckless, willful, but also brave and charismatic. Her twisted sexual pathology is disgusting but intriguing, in a sick and demented way. Her character seems so real that I can’t help feeling that she must be based on some real historical figure—maybe the Roman empress Messalina? Or Elizabeth Bathory of Hungary? Or Irma Grese? Every time I read this novel, I find myself trying to figure her out—how did she get that way?
In response to the novel's supposed 'sexism,' I'll concede that there's a few lines that irritate me because they are, indeed, sexist. For example, Adams says at one point that a man's mind is a "ruled kingdom," while a woman's mind is kind of a reflection of natural chaos. Grrrr. However, as others have argued, this novel has extremely powerful and interesting women characters, including Occula, Fornis, Meris, and even Maia herself. In my opinion, Maia does achieve heroism, as her youthful selfishness, when confronted by the reality of suffering and injustice, evolves into a more compassionate and courageous womanhood.
September 2, 2012
one of my fav books of all time, i have read it over and over since i was young...
again, it is not my usual fare, but Adams is such a phenomenal writer, he could publish his shopping list and it would be a good read...his use of language is some of the best you'll ever encounter, and his characters are believable and engaging...more than that, tho, they are unforgettable....
what else can i say about it?...if you are offended by sexual content, this is probably not the book for you...while very skillfully and subtly written, there is a great deal of sexual content throughout...
it could be construed as very chick-litish, following the adventures and exploits of a young sex-slave in a fantasy world setting, but it is so much more than that...it is a tale of triumph over adversity, of hope and love in a world where there is little of either and both come at a high price where they come at all....
a quiet 'sleeper' classic, it will remain always one of my close and beloved companions
again, it is not my usual fare, but Adams is such a phenomenal writer, he could publish his shopping list and it would be a good read...his use of language is some of the best you'll ever encounter, and his characters are believable and engaging...more than that, tho, they are unforgettable....
what else can i say about it?...if you are offended by sexual content, this is probably not the book for you...while very skillfully and subtly written, there is a great deal of sexual content throughout...
it could be construed as very chick-litish, following the adventures and exploits of a young sex-slave in a fantasy world setting, but it is so much more than that...it is a tale of triumph over adversity, of hope and love in a world where there is little of either and both come at a high price where they come at all....
a quiet 'sleeper' classic, it will remain always one of my close and beloved companions
March 25, 2009
I just re-read this book, and amazingly enough, it was just as good as the first time through (when I was in high school). By the same author as Watership Down, it couldn't be more different, except that it is equally imaginative. Maia is a slave girl who lives in a fully-detailed fictional world. This book would appeal to anyone who cherishes the occasional brilliant fantasy or historical novel, although it is strictly neither. It is pure fun. Once you get pulled into Maia's world, you're happy the book is as thick as it is.
August 22, 2013
Review transcribed from my blog
(contains minor spoilers)
* * *
One of my favourite books, which I may have mentioned once or twice before on this blog, is Maia by Richard Adams. It's certainly not the "best" book I've ever read in an objective sense, but it has a very special place in my heart as one of the few stories I've ever been able to completely lose myself in. I wanted this book to go on and on, and I've never felt so sad about coming to the end of a story as I was when I closed the cover on Maia.
So, what's it about? Like many good stories, it's the tale of a character going through her life. While superficially a novel somewhere on the Game of Thrones spectrum about the political machinations of a fantasy empire (though Maia is closer to -- and even drops some veiled references to being -- historical fiction rather than fantasy), the heart of the story centres around the titular character and her trials and tribulations as she grows from a teenage girl into a young woman. It encompasses elements of action, adventure, romance, and, my favourite, erotica.
Now, there are a lot of things one can criticise Maia for. Most notably the paper-thin romance subplot and the disappointing wind-down to the end of the novel after its climax, along with the unsatisfying resolution to the main antagonist's story. However, while these are pretty large problems in the scope of the novel as a whole, they're overcome by the endlessly compelling moment-to-moment storytelling and the endearing nature of the book's protagonist. Maia is one of those heroines I would've gladly stuck with for a thousand additional pages just for the joy of spending more time with her. Richard Adams is a master at creating varied, nuanced, deep characters, and it shines through more strongly in this book than in any of his other works, I feel.
Maia also has the special status of being one of the first books that got me interested in erotic storytelling. While by no means a work of erotica in the modern sense, Maia frequently uses sex as a storytelling device, and manages to make several sections of the book disturbingly exciting as a result. It's a bit of a shock, coming from the author that gave us Watership Down, but Adams' ability to lace a story with so many erotic elements definitely speaks to his skill as a writer. Maia is a dark book in this respect, but it isn't grim. This is the key distinction I like to repeat over and over when I talk about all my hang-ups with stories like Game of Thrones -- dark subject matter does not have to be bleak and depressing if the author utilises it correctly.
Maia spends much of her time in the novel as a concubine, a pampered sexual servant to the rich and prosperous in the city of Bekla. This section allows the story to take on a very traditionally erotic style of narrative; the discovery and exploration of a young woman's sexuality. We're also treated to a handful of other sex scenes throughout the novel, one of which is the most telling and explicit erotic exploration of a character I've ever come across in literature. Without spoiling too much; the fantasy of an all-powerful authority figure submitting to the most debasing humiliation possible at the hands of her slave is by far the most memorable scene in the book to me.
Maia is ultimately a very traditional story about a girl rising from simple beginnings to a position of power and status in society, and the trials and tribulations she faces along the way. The simplicity of this formula is what makes it work, and this book is a testament to the richness that can be wrung from even the most basic premise by a talented author. But what makes Maia so charming is that Adams takes this premise one step further: the heroine moves on from the pinnacle of high society to realise that all of the money and status in the world never make for true happiness by themselves. It's a fantastic arc of a young girl developing into a mature woman by realising that the fairytale fantasy is neither what she wants, or even needs, out of life. While the central romance is, as mentioned, relatively weak in itself, the thematic purpose it serves of allowing Maia to grow as a character is utilised perfectly.
I could gush about a dozen different characters and scenes all day, but ultimately Maia is rich and compelling storytelling on its most fundamental level. It sucks you in, takes you on a journey, and provokes you in all the right ways without ever letting itself go off the rails. It may be a little rough around the edges, but if there's one goal I aspire to as a writer it's to some day write a book that's comparable in scope to Richard Adams' Maia.
(contains minor spoilers)
* * *
One of my favourite books, which I may have mentioned once or twice before on this blog, is Maia by Richard Adams. It's certainly not the "best" book I've ever read in an objective sense, but it has a very special place in my heart as one of the few stories I've ever been able to completely lose myself in. I wanted this book to go on and on, and I've never felt so sad about coming to the end of a story as I was when I closed the cover on Maia.
So, what's it about? Like many good stories, it's the tale of a character going through her life. While superficially a novel somewhere on the Game of Thrones spectrum about the political machinations of a fantasy empire (though Maia is closer to -- and even drops some veiled references to being -- historical fiction rather than fantasy), the heart of the story centres around the titular character and her trials and tribulations as she grows from a teenage girl into a young woman. It encompasses elements of action, adventure, romance, and, my favourite, erotica.
Now, there are a lot of things one can criticise Maia for. Most notably the paper-thin romance subplot and the disappointing wind-down to the end of the novel after its climax, along with the unsatisfying resolution to the main antagonist's story. However, while these are pretty large problems in the scope of the novel as a whole, they're overcome by the endlessly compelling moment-to-moment storytelling and the endearing nature of the book's protagonist. Maia is one of those heroines I would've gladly stuck with for a thousand additional pages just for the joy of spending more time with her. Richard Adams is a master at creating varied, nuanced, deep characters, and it shines through more strongly in this book than in any of his other works, I feel.
Maia also has the special status of being one of the first books that got me interested in erotic storytelling. While by no means a work of erotica in the modern sense, Maia frequently uses sex as a storytelling device, and manages to make several sections of the book disturbingly exciting as a result. It's a bit of a shock, coming from the author that gave us Watership Down, but Adams' ability to lace a story with so many erotic elements definitely speaks to his skill as a writer. Maia is a dark book in this respect, but it isn't grim. This is the key distinction I like to repeat over and over when I talk about all my hang-ups with stories like Game of Thrones -- dark subject matter does not have to be bleak and depressing if the author utilises it correctly.
Maia spends much of her time in the novel as a concubine, a pampered sexual servant to the rich and prosperous in the city of Bekla. This section allows the story to take on a very traditionally erotic style of narrative; the discovery and exploration of a young woman's sexuality. We're also treated to a handful of other sex scenes throughout the novel, one of which is the most telling and explicit erotic exploration of a character I've ever come across in literature. Without spoiling too much; the fantasy of an all-powerful authority figure submitting to the most debasing humiliation possible at the hands of her slave is by far the most memorable scene in the book to me.
Maia is ultimately a very traditional story about a girl rising from simple beginnings to a position of power and status in society, and the trials and tribulations she faces along the way. The simplicity of this formula is what makes it work, and this book is a testament to the richness that can be wrung from even the most basic premise by a talented author. But what makes Maia so charming is that Adams takes this premise one step further: the heroine moves on from the pinnacle of high society to realise that all of the money and status in the world never make for true happiness by themselves. It's a fantastic arc of a young girl developing into a mature woman by realising that the fairytale fantasy is neither what she wants, or even needs, out of life. While the central romance is, as mentioned, relatively weak in itself, the thematic purpose it serves of allowing Maia to grow as a character is utilised perfectly.
I could gush about a dozen different characters and scenes all day, but ultimately Maia is rich and compelling storytelling on its most fundamental level. It sucks you in, takes you on a journey, and provokes you in all the right ways without ever letting itself go off the rails. It may be a little rough around the edges, but if there's one goal I aspire to as a writer it's to some day write a book that's comparable in scope to Richard Adams' Maia.
August 15, 2024
I have just finished a re-read thirty years after my initial reading. The story is just as good as it was then.
The fantasy element in this book is quite low: the Beklan Empire is a creation of Richard Adams and there are place names to learn as well as words that are specifically Beklan but nothing too challenging. The element of magic is kept to a minimum and mostly related to the gods and goddesses in the storyline. Many of the cultural customs, the economy and warfare are all similar to those seen in medieval societies.
As a main character, Maia is likable, good-natured, adaptable, honest, brave and good-hearted. . She overcomes adversity and remains true to herself. The supporting characters are just as strong. Occula is the best friend any girl could ever have! Her mental strength and incredible fortitude are absolutely inspiring. There are other great characters in the book including: an elderly healer full of good advice, a sweet courtesan, a canny peddler, a rebel nobleman full of witty words and pithy insight, an endearing bodyguard and a charismatic aged virtuoso musician. The villains are all quite villainous; but none rival Queen Fornis.
This book is huge but the story flows beautifully; Adam's prose and story telling ability are impressive and a treat to read. The storyline is complex and many events have far reaching affects; everything in this book happens for a reason, as the reader discovers during this epic journey with Maia: there are no coincidences.
Highly recommended. Plenty of triggers for sensitive types who should probably avoid books like this......
Also, there are some themes in this book that seem........familiar to me now.........an aging, vicious, evil queen who will stop at nothing to attain power........the daughter of a murdered man seeking revenge on those who betrayed and killed him.........a big, ferocious nobleman with half his face covered in scars......... the daughter of a dead and disgraced lord held captive in the capital and used as a political pawn.......seven gods.......slave wars.......
After reading this I think about how different the Beklan Empire would have been with the introduction of one common mammal........the horse. For me, that was the single most unwelcome aspect; a world without horses is a bleak world and not the sort of place I would want to live. I digress; don't let horselessness prevent you from reading this wonderful book
The fantasy element in this book is quite low: the Beklan Empire is a creation of Richard Adams and there are place names to learn as well as words that are specifically Beklan but nothing too challenging. The element of magic is kept to a minimum and mostly related to the gods and goddesses in the storyline. Many of the cultural customs, the economy and warfare are all similar to those seen in medieval societies.
As a main character, Maia is likable, good-natured, adaptable, honest, brave and good-hearted. . She overcomes adversity and remains true to herself. The supporting characters are just as strong. Occula is the best friend any girl could ever have! Her mental strength and incredible fortitude are absolutely inspiring. There are other great characters in the book including: an elderly healer full of good advice, a sweet courtesan, a canny peddler, a rebel nobleman full of witty words and pithy insight, an endearing bodyguard and a charismatic aged virtuoso musician. The villains are all quite villainous; but none rival Queen Fornis.
This book is huge but the story flows beautifully; Adam's prose and story telling ability are impressive and a treat to read. The storyline is complex and many events have far reaching affects; everything in this book happens for a reason, as the reader discovers during this epic journey with Maia: there are no coincidences.
Highly recommended. Plenty of triggers for sensitive types who should probably avoid books like this......
Also, there are some themes in this book that seem........familiar to me now.........an aging, vicious, evil queen who will stop at nothing to attain power........the daughter of a murdered man seeking revenge on those who betrayed and killed him.........a big, ferocious nobleman with half his face covered in scars......... the daughter of a dead and disgraced lord held captive in the capital and used as a political pawn.......seven gods.......slave wars.......
After reading this I think about how different the Beklan Empire would have been with the introduction of one common mammal........the horse. For me, that was the single most unwelcome aspect; a world without horses is a bleak world and not the sort of place I would want to live. I digress; don't let horselessness prevent you from reading this wonderful book
March 18, 2014
This is one of my very favorite books, I have read this book numerous times and enjoy it every single time.
The heroine is not typical. She is extremely naïve and young, but this does not equal dumb. She submits to the world (as a slave must) but is able to retain her nature and basic character to remain uncorrupted by a predominately hedonistic society.
I think a lot of what makes me like Maia as a character is that while bad (IRL traumatic) stuff happens to her, she chooses to not be victimized by it, but finds a way to incorporate it into who she is. She is forced to acknowledge some hard truths that other people/characters might shy away from, but she embraces them knowing that there is a little bit of the beast in all of us. She is certainly not the most assertive character, but endurance takes it's own kind of often undervalued strength. There is a scene in the book where she is being swept toward a waterfall with the opportunity to 1) save herself without any inconvenience or hardship; 2) save some of her companions with notable inconvenience and stress; or 3) struggle to save them all knowing that she probably will not succeed and may lose her own life. These questions and decisions saturate the last 3/4 of the book making it is a highly engaging read and define her character in no uncertain terms.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that doesn't mind a story with a fair bit of erotica (though not even close to Anne Rice or 50 Shades) and an atypical, but genuine, heroine set in a richly detailed and fleshed out fantasy world reminiscent of the Roman Empire. The scope of the story, and depth and detail of the world are riveting and immensely readable.
The heroine is not typical. She is extremely naïve and young, but this does not equal dumb. She submits to the world (as a slave must) but is able to retain her nature and basic character to remain uncorrupted by a predominately hedonistic society.
I think a lot of what makes me like Maia as a character is that while bad (IRL traumatic) stuff happens to her, she chooses to not be victimized by it, but finds a way to incorporate it into who she is. She is forced to acknowledge some hard truths that other people/characters might shy away from, but she embraces them knowing that there is a little bit of the beast in all of us. She is certainly not the most assertive character, but endurance takes it's own kind of often undervalued strength. There is a scene in the book where she is being swept toward a waterfall with the opportunity to 1) save herself without any inconvenience or hardship; 2) save some of her companions with notable inconvenience and stress; or 3) struggle to save them all knowing that she probably will not succeed and may lose her own life. These questions and decisions saturate the last 3/4 of the book making it is a highly engaging read and define her character in no uncertain terms.
I highly recommend this book for anyone that doesn't mind a story with a fair bit of erotica (though not even close to Anne Rice or 50 Shades) and an atypical, but genuine, heroine set in a richly detailed and fleshed out fantasy world reminiscent of the Roman Empire. The scope of the story, and depth and detail of the world are riveting and immensely readable.
September 6, 2007
I found Maia at a used bookstore & have been reading it on & off for the last few weeks.
It's a very, very long book - just over 1200 pages in my PB copy. It follows Maia, a beautiful country girl, who gets sold into slavery and becomes a concubine in the household of the High Counselor of Bekla. On the way, she makes friends with Occula, an exotic bed-girl (not much older than Maia) who is scheming for revenge. Amid the court intrigue (of which she gradually becomes aware), Maia proves herself with heroic (and erotic) acts, having adventures that are just this side of unbelievable. Her goodness and beauty seem to be her saving graces, as well as a huge dose of luck.
The descriptions are lush and the characters are about as stereotypical as you'd expect from high fantasy. The "slang" was amusing without being intrusive. I would have liked to have seen little less of the political adventures; at times, it seemed as if it were trying to be two different books - Maia's rise to fame and the battles & intrigue of the Empire. Sometimes the stories meshed well, other times the segue was jarring.
IMHO, it's not Adams' best work, but neither is it his worst. Check it out from the library and have a wrist brace handy.... :^)
It's a very, very long book - just over 1200 pages in my PB copy. It follows Maia, a beautiful country girl, who gets sold into slavery and becomes a concubine in the household of the High Counselor of Bekla. On the way, she makes friends with Occula, an exotic bed-girl (not much older than Maia) who is scheming for revenge. Amid the court intrigue (of which she gradually becomes aware), Maia proves herself with heroic (and erotic) acts, having adventures that are just this side of unbelievable. Her goodness and beauty seem to be her saving graces, as well as a huge dose of luck.
The descriptions are lush and the characters are about as stereotypical as you'd expect from high fantasy. The "slang" was amusing without being intrusive. I would have liked to have seen little less of the political adventures; at times, it seemed as if it were trying to be two different books - Maia's rise to fame and the battles & intrigue of the Empire. Sometimes the stories meshed well, other times the segue was jarring.
IMHO, it's not Adams' best work, but neither is it his worst. Check it out from the library and have a wrist brace handy.... :^)
February 24, 2009
I read this book in high school and it had such an impact on me that I still remember a good portion of it even to this day. In fact this book shaped my decision to absolutely NOT be in love with my first "romantic tryst" (yes, I know, TMI).
With that said, I would not necessarily recommend it. I remember this book so well because it annoyed the hell out of me. It was written by the guy who wrote that nice little rabbit story, Watership Down. He should stick to writing about bunnies. In Maia he decided to write a social commentary about his opinions on young women. In this book Maia is a young woman who loses her virginity to her step father, her mother kicks her out of the house and Maia decides to make ends meet by becoming a whore (courtesan, technically) for a blubbery rich guy. After that she has a bunch of, mainly sexual, adventurers. And all through this book Richard Adams has to interject his (rather flawed IMO) condescending opinion of what makes women tick. Statements such as "women always think they're in love with the first man they have sex with".
My personal opinion of this book is that the author was annoyed at women for whatever reason and decided to write himself a little sexual fantasy of his and use it to be a pulpit for his annoyance with the female gender. Not a book I would recommend giving to an impressionable teenaged girl. :-p
With that said, I would not necessarily recommend it. I remember this book so well because it annoyed the hell out of me. It was written by the guy who wrote that nice little rabbit story, Watership Down. He should stick to writing about bunnies. In Maia he decided to write a social commentary about his opinions on young women. In this book Maia is a young woman who loses her virginity to her step father, her mother kicks her out of the house and Maia decides to make ends meet by becoming a whore (courtesan, technically) for a blubbery rich guy. After that she has a bunch of, mainly sexual, adventurers. And all through this book Richard Adams has to interject his (rather flawed IMO) condescending opinion of what makes women tick. Statements such as "women always think they're in love with the first man they have sex with".
My personal opinion of this book is that the author was annoyed at women for whatever reason and decided to write himself a little sexual fantasy of his and use it to be a pulpit for his annoyance with the female gender. Not a book I would recommend giving to an impressionable teenaged girl. :-p
March 27, 2013
This book doesn't feel like anything I've ever read before, and I don't know if I can really describe how...it has a strange, dreamlike quality to it but also is hugely epic. There are parts that are almost like something out of The Chronicles of Narnia, in that they seem almost parable-like and bittersweet and dear. Then there are parts that remind me of Gone With The Wind, huge and sweeping wars that change an entire way of life in the empire, seen through the effects on the lives of a few characters.
My favorite part of this book is the searing clarity with which Maia can intuitively see people and understand their motives and the intricacies of their desires and fears. Adams's description of character in these moments is some of the most empathetic and psychologically astute writing I've ever had the pleasure to read. Not only does it make even minor characters come alive, it imparts a sense of understanding others that feels very valuable and inspires compassion to come out of the hardened shell that I've grown around me.
My favorite part of this book is the searing clarity with which Maia can intuitively see people and understand their motives and the intricacies of their desires and fears. Adams's description of character in these moments is some of the most empathetic and psychologically astute writing I've ever had the pleasure to read. Not only does it make even minor characters come alive, it imparts a sense of understanding others that feels very valuable and inspires compassion to come out of the hardened shell that I've grown around me.
July 15, 2012
A co-worker described this as unbelievably filthy. Well, it's not Danielle Steel but it's not Anais Nin either, just a pretty good historical fantasy from a place that may or may not exist, an adventure story well worth the read. It kept me company on the beach one summer and did a good job of entertaining me.
September 24, 2018
I first read this book in my teens and is one of my favorite Richard Adams books., even if it's not usually acclaimed as one of his best.
July 15, 2017
This is my third Adams book, first was Watership Down, then Shardik, now this. While Maia takes place in the same fictional world as Shardik, it struck me as a very different sort of book from those other two of Adam's books. Watership down follows a group of rabbits and there is really very little else going on that matters to the story beyond what happens to our little group, Shardik follows follows Kelderek, the strange fisherman who's rise and fall are closely related to the great bear and who is the central character, not just for the book, but for the entire empire during that time, but Maia, the only character we really follow through the course of this book, would barely even be considered a main character from the perspective of the main course of events happening at the time, she might more conventionally be considered a side character who pops up at different important points through the story but is not consistently central to it. But Adams, here, didn't write a conventional story with a conventional protagonist, and that is one of my favorite things about this book: we get to see the massive upheaval of an empire through the life and eyes of, an admittedly important, side character who is swept along in the currents of the real movers and shakers.
The level of detail Adams goes into, in my opinion, are just right. He thoroughly describes, not just the physical landscapes that we travel through, but also the social and political landscapes as we travel through those as well, from town to town and from lower to upper class, he gives a sense of having actually created in his mind, a real world with plausible history and convincing society that draws us into the idea that this whole story might not be made up at all.
The character and development of Maia is thoroughly described and explored through the course of the book and she is certainly a well made and believable character, who, as a hero may leave much to be desired, but as a young person caught up in the torrent of events raging beyond her control she is both believable and admirable. The secondary and supporting characters lend much depth to the relationships and the story as a whole but since we are traveling through Maia's perspective, no one else is nearly as well developed as she.
The main course of events, at first happens far from Maia, while she is a young girl in a small village on the outskirts of the empire, there is political intrigue, maneuvering and betraying going on in the capital, slavery is rampant and she ends up as a slave being carted to the center. Through the story her status rises and falls, rarely due to her own proactivity but though she is swept along and though she is a naive and impulsive young girl she behaves honorably, if shortsightedly, throughout.
I loved this book because of the world Adams builds and because he gives us a fairly unique perspective. I also really like the character of Maia who through no fault of her own, consistently has great opportunities put upon her but who consistently chooses, not greatness, but goodness.
Be warned this book is very long, and for the first 700 pages, rather slow moving.
The level of detail Adams goes into, in my opinion, are just right. He thoroughly describes, not just the physical landscapes that we travel through, but also the social and political landscapes as we travel through those as well, from town to town and from lower to upper class, he gives a sense of having actually created in his mind, a real world with plausible history and convincing society that draws us into the idea that this whole story might not be made up at all.
The character and development of Maia is thoroughly described and explored through the course of the book and she is certainly a well made and believable character, who, as a hero may leave much to be desired, but as a young person caught up in the torrent of events raging beyond her control she is both believable and admirable. The secondary and supporting characters lend much depth to the relationships and the story as a whole but since we are traveling through Maia's perspective, no one else is nearly as well developed as she.
The main course of events, at first happens far from Maia, while she is a young girl in a small village on the outskirts of the empire, there is political intrigue, maneuvering and betraying going on in the capital, slavery is rampant and she ends up as a slave being carted to the center. Through the story her status rises and falls, rarely due to her own proactivity but though she is swept along and though she is a naive and impulsive young girl she behaves honorably, if shortsightedly, throughout.
I loved this book because of the world Adams builds and because he gives us a fairly unique perspective. I also really like the character of Maia who through no fault of her own, consistently has great opportunities put upon her but who consistently chooses, not greatness, but goodness.
Be warned this book is very long, and for the first 700 pages, rather slow moving.
May 31, 2018
This book has been one of my favorites, if not my favorite book, for a very long time. As with any opinion in a subjective world like that of art and literature, my thoughts and opinons have changed and grown over time; the amazing thing about Maia is that she grew with me.
Maia, and its companion novel Shardik, are set in an ancient, Mesopotamian kingdom reminiscent of Babylon. While not strictly a fantasy, sometimes the two are categorized as such because of the raw spirituality inherent in all of Adam's writing that permeates his worlds with a dreamlike atmosphere. However, you won't find any magic spells or wizards here. Just a world where people believe that such things exist and have immense power. Sound familiar?
The story centers around Maia, a peasant girl who is sold into sexual slavery and prostitution as a young teenager and climbs her way up an eerily realistic socio-political ladder until she is not only coveted by princes and politicians but worshipped by revolutionaries and patriots alike. She is made alternately a slave, a noble, a figurehead, a hero, a villain and a princess. But throughout, the character of Maia remains steadfastly that of a young girl, impressionable and bright but not particularly resplendent; really just a normal girl reacting to her situations as best as she can. Her guilelessness and naivite could spell complete disaster, but instead Adams tells the story of the destruction of her innocence with grace and forgiveness. And in a way, this book will help you forgive yourself for your lost innocence, and remind you that there is a part of you, and all of us, that is inherently stainless. Its really quite a read.
Maia, and its companion novel Shardik, are set in an ancient, Mesopotamian kingdom reminiscent of Babylon. While not strictly a fantasy, sometimes the two are categorized as such because of the raw spirituality inherent in all of Adam's writing that permeates his worlds with a dreamlike atmosphere. However, you won't find any magic spells or wizards here. Just a world where people believe that such things exist and have immense power. Sound familiar?
The story centers around Maia, a peasant girl who is sold into sexual slavery and prostitution as a young teenager and climbs her way up an eerily realistic socio-political ladder until she is not only coveted by princes and politicians but worshipped by revolutionaries and patriots alike. She is made alternately a slave, a noble, a figurehead, a hero, a villain and a princess. But throughout, the character of Maia remains steadfastly that of a young girl, impressionable and bright but not particularly resplendent; really just a normal girl reacting to her situations as best as she can. Her guilelessness and naivite could spell complete disaster, but instead Adams tells the story of the destruction of her innocence with grace and forgiveness. And in a way, this book will help you forgive yourself for your lost innocence, and remind you that there is a part of you, and all of us, that is inherently stainless. Its really quite a read.
September 19, 2013
I keep going back to this story again & yet again. I've just started the 6th read in a decade & it is as absorbing & unputdownable as the first. Unlike most of Adam's other novels, this is a sensual tale of another world, with deeply drawn characters, fascinating largesse, kind of like watching a car wreck when one knows one shouldn't but unable to look away. One has to suspend present political & gender bias to become lost in Maia's world, so much different from our own. Well worth the read, and purchase, one of the rare books that reads like new each time through.
August 7, 2011
Don't let the 1200+ pages scare you away. I enjoyed the characters, especially Maia, and now that I've finished the story, I miss her. The book is very descriptive and can get bogged down and confusing with too many odd names, words, and descriptions but those areas are easily skimmed and the story moves easily through Maia being sold into slavery and her rise to the top.
March 16, 2011
This os one of the few books I reread alsmot every year. I think it was Adam's best, yet it never really got much attention. My (original hardback) copy is tattered and beat-up, but I love this book.
August 5, 2016
Occasionally tedious but still a fantastic adventure with some memorable characters.
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