Richard Adams's MAIA presents a rather奇特的融合。它像是Jacqueline Carey的KUSHIEL系列的设定（一个关于因美貌而成为性奴，并通过后续的旅行、间谍活动等获得影响力的女性的异世界低幻想设定）与Hillary Mantel的WOLF HALL的情节（出身低微却意外获得政治显要地位；充满了阴谋诡计）的奇怪组合。然而，它比前者早了十七年，比后者早了二十五年——这使得那两部（更为成功的）作品像是对它的衍生，而非它受它们启发。

从现代的视角来看，MAIA是一本奇怪的读物。作为一名女权主义者，我真的很惊讶它对我的敏感度来说是如此的无冒犯性，尤其是在浏览了这个网站上已有的评论之后——事实上，我对它所呈现的广泛内容印象深刻：

[1]女性个性——Adams的Beklan帝国中女性众多，虽然他对她们的描绘并不总是讨人喜欢，但对男性角色也是如此；

[2]性取向——虽然没有深入探讨，但Maia自己的性取向在今天会被称为双性恋；她最亲密的女性朋友（和情人）公开表示更喜欢女性的陪伴；而一位拥有体面工作的男性被明确地说成是同性恋，他的社会或政治地位都没有受到影响；

[3]种族差异——尽管只有一个角色是非白人，但这个角色是所有角色中最引人入胜、刻画最生动的，赢得了遇到她的其他所有角色的尊重；当一个男人无知地认为她是一个“野蛮人”时，她的报复堪称完美，而其他所有白人角色的震惊和尴尬反应，如此准确地描绘了在我们自己的社会中这种交流时会看到的情况（在“礼貌”的谈话中，这类话题往往被掩盖而非被解决），以至于这也许是我在非有色人种实际撰写的奇幻文学中最喜欢的此类交流。

另一方面，这部小说与身份、爱国主义和社会结构等问题有着奇怪的关系；而且它的地质设定完全荒谬（关于地图——河流不是那样流动的）。然而，我主要的抱怨是节奏和情节结构，大致如下：

- 前半部分：缓慢。非常非常缓慢。

- 接下来的四分之一：稳步加速，接近令人愉快。

- 接下来的八分之一：相当引人入胜。

- 最后八分之一：仓促、混乱且可预测。

尤其是开头的缓慢，以及对公认和预期的故事架构的完全无视，标志着这本书在今天的市场上是无法出版的——很难想象一个现代读者（除了我，出于对前KUSHIEL男性撰写的以妓女为主角的奇幻小说的潜在可能性的病态好奇）会读完前五十页。而且，请注意，这本书有一千二百页。

不过，我还是读完了所有的内容，出于一个我还没有完全弄清楚的原因，我很高兴我做到了——如果不是这样，它就不会得到那第二颗星。MAIA有一定的魅力——Maia这个角色也是如此，尽管她的决策能力很差。她在开篇场景中被介绍为拥有三项特殊技能：游泳、编织花冠，以及拥抱一些人所谓的“想象力”而另一些人所谓的“妄想”，达到了盲目乐观的程度。嗯，还有令人难以置信的美丽，这与其说是一种技能，不如说是一种决定人生的特质。这三项技能（和特质）似乎不足以让一个女主角在高风险的史诗奇幻情节中取得成功——然而，每一项都证明对她很有帮助，她设法利用它们对Beklan帝国的未来产生了重大影响（是的，甚至是花冠）。

所以我想我在这本书中喜欢的是，Maia只是一个女孩——一个美丽的女孩，但除此之外，她没有比普通的16岁女孩更多的资格，只是恰好参加了游泳队。她只是一个女孩，但这就是她拯救世界所需要的全部。这实际上是一个相当不错的信息。

I greatly enjoyed this book.

It is an extensive, epic tale set in a fantasy world named Bekla that bears a striking resemblance to Ancient Rome. There is an abundance of the same vices present - food, sex, slavery, war, and a disregard for human life. So, reader beware as there is a significant amount of sex. However, to be honest, in my opinion, much of it is implied rather than graphically detailed.

The story revolves around Maia, a young and beautiful girl who is sold into slavery by her mother. Maia eventually becomes a powerful courtesan in the capital city, and a large part of the book details the political intrigues that come with her rise to power. It is exquisitely written, and in fact, I have never had to consult my dictionary as frequently as I did while reading this book. It also has a strong moral theme, which I think many people who had an immediate negative reaction to it, calling it sexist drivel and such, failed to see. They simply didn't look deep enough.

I find it rather naive to criticize the book because of the sex and Maia's seemingly passive acceptance of her position as first a sex slave and then a courtesan. This was and is the reality for many women in the ancient world that this book evokes. Does this make it sexist to tell a story based on their experiences? Should all women who have been sold into slavery or willingly chosen that path out of poverty be immediately scorned? The female characters in the book are very complex. They act within the boundaries of their world. Adams repeatedly emphasizes that Maia is incredibly young, naive, inexperienced, and moreover, not a reflective person. Still, having said that, she is strong-willed and does act for herself. And there are other very strong female characters, some extremely admirable (Occula is truly awesome), and one (Fornis) perhaps the most evil character I have ever read.

The book is long, and it's like delving into this world every time you pick it up. One thing I truly enjoy about Adam's writing is his profound insight into human nature. Frequently, he will describe common situations and how people respond to them, and it is often so accurate that you find yourself mentally giving a high five.

This book reminds me of the George Martin Game of Thrones series.

A co-worker described this as unbelievably filthy. However, it's not Danielle Steel nor Anais Nin. Instead, it's just a rather good historical fantasy from a place that might or might not exist. It's an adventure story that is well worth the read.

It accompanied me on the beach one summer and did a great job of entertaining me. The story took me to a different world, filled with mystery and excitement. The characters were vividly portrayed, and I found myself easily getting lost in their adventures.

Despite not being a literary masterpiece, it had its own charm and appeal. It was a light-hearted read that provided a welcome escape from the daily grind. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable adventure story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this book and would definitely consider reading more from the author.

An incredible story - but I was a bit on the young side when I first read it.

I won't point fingers as to who recommended it to me! The book can get graphic, as it's a story about a child sold into sex slavery and her rise to power as a "goddess".

The vivid descriptions in the book paint a disturbing picture of the harsh reality the protagonist had to endure.

Yet, it also showcases her remarkable strength and determination in the face of such adversity.

I've reread this book several times, each time uncovering new layers of meaning and being deeply moved by the story.

It's a powerful and thought-provoking read that makes you appreciate the importance of freedom and the human spirit's ability to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.

Despite its graphic nature, the book offers valuable lessons and insights that stay with you long after you've finished reading.

Cherry picked for some interesting sex scenes, but too high fantasy for me.

The movie seems to focus on certain aspects that might be titillating, yet the overall high fantasy element just didn't resonate with my personal taste.

Technically, it might be excellent, with good cinematography, special effects, and acting in some parts. However, it also comes across as terribly exploitative of women.

The way the female characters are presented and the situations they are put in seem to be more about fulfilling a certain male gaze rather than presenting them as complex and autonomous individuals.

I think I'll stick with the books about bunnies and dogs. At least with those, I know what to expect and there isn't the same level of discomfort or unease that this movie has brought up for me.

Richard Adams should have focused solely on writing about the internal lives of rabbits. It's evident that he holds a rather simplistic view of the female brain.

A more fitting title for this book could be something like "INCEST AND THE INGENUE" or perhaps "young women are so dumb but sometimes they are pretty and I wish I could watch them enjoy nonconsensual sex".

The eponymous "heroine" of this novel is portrayed as the quintessential ingenue. She is vapid, naive, and constantly finds herself in peril, yet is too preoccupied with fretting to recognize and avoid it. Adams seemingly penned this 1200-page trashy tome so that he (and the reader) can partake in the oh-so-appealing role of the father/molester that the point of view sustains throughout. We can always see the bigger (obvious, contrived, uncomplicated) picture while Maia stumbles around like a bimbo in a horror flick. She trips over nothing with her skirt flipping up, runs into the arms of danger, and stops to fix her hair when she should be running.

Witness Maia get sold into slavery, be screwed both literally and figuratively (over the course of years!), and be saved again and again by her pubescent body (appealing to every man she meets! How remarkable!) and perhaps the fact that she is goddess-touched. Incidentally, that goddess is revered for being a young girl who gave in to her "animal desires" and had (dull, undescribed) sex with a large white goat (whom she didn't realize was a god incarnate). Wow, what a goddess! Let's build a temple!

Fine. It's acceptable to start a character off as naive and sheltered, unaware of her sexual desires and the ways of the world around her. But for goodness sake, have her grow and learn to navigate! Don't misunderstand me: I absolutely love a sex-laden, s/m inspired novel with divine forces controlling the path of a young woman coming-of-age. That's my thing. But why write twelve hundred pages and not make your heroine intelligent? It's because you don't know how: because you are an idiot, a misogynist, or both.

Please, I beg you, read Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel series instead!

I first had the pleasure of reading this book when I was a young and impressionable twenty-three-year-old. Then, approximately twenty years later, I decided to pick it up again and give it another go.

I vividly remember being completely enamored with the book during my youth. However, as the years have passed and I have grown both older and more experienced as a writer, it seems to have lost a significant amount of its former luster.

To be brutally honest, Maia is a classic Mary Sue character. She is described as being breathtakingly beautiful, loved to an almost excessive degree, and insanely talented. Her mother's jealousy of her beauty only serves to further emphasize her perfection, and every man she encounters seems to be immediately drawn to her and desires to have a relationship with her. Later events in the story only serve to reinforce these Mary Sue attributes, making her seem almost too good to be true.

That being said, I must admit that I still have a certain affection for this book. While it may not be as intellectually stimulating or thought-provoking as Shardik, it is still an enjoyable read. There are no major surprises or unexpected plot-twists, but the tale is satisfying nonetheless. And when a particular event occurs towards the end of the book, I have to confess that I find myself getting teary-eyed every single time.

A good story with well-developed characters is truly a delight to encounter.

It was a long read, but it had me completely entertained from start to finish.

The author did an excellent job of breathing life into each character, making them feel real and relatable.

As I delved deeper into the story, I found myself invested in their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs.

The plot was engaging and filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

Even though it was a lengthy piece, I never once felt bored or impatient.

Instead, I was eager to see what would happen next and how the characters would evolve.

It was a literary journey that I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to others.

A story like this is a testament to the power of good writing and the ability to create a world that readers can lose themselves in.

I read this book many years ago when I was a rather young and innocent teenager.

Arguably, I was perhaps too youthful to fully comprehend a great deal of the adult content that was present within its pages. However, I was fortunate enough to have parents who were very liberal in allowing me to read whatever piqued my interest.

Thankfully, I turned out just fine. And although I wouldn't go so far as to claim that it is one of my absolute favorite books, the truth is that the characters and the plot have remained etched in my memory far more vividly than those of many, many other books that I read during that distant era of my youth.

The story seems to have left an indelible mark on me, and even after all these years, I can still recall certain scenes and the personalities of the characters with remarkable clarity. It's truly quite astonishing how some books have the power to linger in our minds and hearts long after we've turned the final page.

I read the first half of this as a child.

People aren't kidding about how unbelievably long it is. Even if you are used to reading 1000+ page books, it just seems like it's not going to end. And for the most part, I think that was a good thing.

Mostly I remember being sucked into some extremely foreign adventure. This book is out of print now as far as I know and I never finished it when I was a kid. The library finally demanded that I stop re-checking it out.

A few years ago my parents surprised me with a copy for Christmas that they'd hunted down from some online used book seller. I have yet to reread it. I suppose it's a daunting thing to me.

But I will read it in its entirety when I'm ready, and it should be a good time. I'm curious to see if it will still have the same magic and draw that it did when I was a child. Maybe I'll notice new details and interpretations this time around. It's like reopening a door to a world that I once knew but have since forgotten. I'm looking forward to the journey.

Fun book!

It's a really interesting read that manages to blend entertainment with a touch of adult content.

The storylines are engaging and keep you hooked from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities.

The adult content, while present, is not overly explicit or vulgar.

It adds an extra layer of depth and realism to the story.

Overall, this is a great book for those who are looking for something a little different.

It's not your typical light-hearted read, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Whether you're a fan of adult fiction or just looking for a new and exciting book to read, this one is sure to satisfy.

So, pick up a copy and get ready to be entertained!

A rather terrible beginning greeted me as I started reading this book. I held on, hoping against hope that it would improve as I delved deeper into the pages. However, my anticipation was in vain. By around page 100, I had to throw in the towel. The story commences with a girl who is essentially raped by her stepfather and then callously sold as a slave to work as a prostitute in the big city. This is definitely not the kind of light and enjoyable reading one would look forward to. I'm truly disappointed because I have such a profound love for Richard Adams' writing, as evidenced in his masterpiece "Watership Down." But this particular work has left me with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling of having wasted my time.