To what extent do you find the book realistic?

[Aarushi Pareek]

In a good deal of ways, I think the author did a superb job of capturing the slave era through Lily's character, even if some facts and scenes were somewhat difficult to imagine

[Alexandrian O]

Honestly, I find it difficult to imagine the type of relationship that existed between Lilly and James actually taking place. The concept of slavery was well researched for the book, but I don't think slaves were actually involved in romantic relationships with their masters, it just doesn't seem probable.

[Amynwankwo_]

I appreciate the author’s ability to make bits of the book as realistic as possible but some parts of this book were very unrealistic, judging from the era the book was set in. How was it possible that Lily knew how to play the piano without prior lessons ? Also, the slave master relationship isn’t one that leaves room for any budding romance.

[Kirsi Cultrera]

I would divide this theme into two layers. For one, there are the historical surroundings, and two, there’s Lily, an imaginary character who has been placed to live in these surroundings. I think the historical surroundings of the story were realistic enough, but like others have already pointed out, some parts of Lily’s personal story were a bit unrealistic. Of course, in every era, there have been people who were more brave than the others and did things most would not have dared to do. Without such people, nothing would ever change.

Anyway, this was a great story. And for me it’s enough that the historical facts were mostly correct.

[Walter R]

Ordinarily one would think that the dread and terror of her master would have made it impossible for her to do such a thing. I found such scenes impossible to believe and unrealistic.

[Uchechukwu Fortune Njoku]

Judging from the stories we have heard about slavery. The book is realistic because it depicts the exact things we were made to believe happened during the era of slavery.

[Yennefer_]

This novel, in my opinion, was overly utopian and lacking in realism. Is it realistic to believe that a slave will fall in love with his master or would risk severe punishments in order to play the piano? However, I believe that the book's philosophy is what makes it interesting to read.

[Sarrikoziol]

I believe the story was fairly realistic. Lily had hours a day sometimes with no supervision. She could have easily taught herself to mimic the sounds she was hearing. I think it would have been more unrealistic had she been a slave working the plantation and learned to play. However, she was in the house all the time.

[maglalangara496]

I think I find the persecution in this book realistic. The author did a great job and tried to make a compelling sequence of events. I also find the ties between Lily and James to be real because, even of today, such connection still exists.

[Gabriela Contreras]

This book is about romance. That is enough to understand that not everything will be realistic.
The author does describe some of the violence the slaves suffered but is not accurate, is not realistic.

[ikechukwuamarachi+55]

I find the part Lily learned to play piano secretly unrealistic and the romance between James and Lily seems realistic.

[Michael Jerry_]

personally, i think the author did a good job. even if it there were some questionable things, i just order to enjoy the story rather than focus on what could have been but wasn’t

[Maha Ata]

The book seems quite realistic to me as the slavery existed for sure. The romance of master and the slave is also not unheard of. Although book is a fictional story but it is quite close to reality.

[Tebogo Eugene M]

It was realistic for Lily to learn to play piano just by listening when James' mother was teaching her students, after all, she practiced before she becomes perfect I guess it came naturally.

[Kim Jek]

While it might seem difficult to believe that a slave could be as bold as Lily, it is possible. I've seen movies about the slave era where a cordial relationship developed between the masters and the slaves.