What are the characteristics of fiction books based on true stories?

Another characteristic is that they can give readers a deeper understanding of a particular time or event. For instance, 'Unbroken' by Laura Hillenbrand, which tells the story of Louis Zamperini's incredible life. It not only shows his personal journey but also gives insights into World War II and the POW experience.

These books usually blend facts with fictional elements like dialogue or some minor plot details. Take 'Schindler's Ark' (also known as 'Schindler's List' in its film version). The overall story of Oskar Schindler saving Jews during World War II is true, but the author might have added some fictional touches to make it more engaging as a book. This combination allows the author to bring history to life in a more vivid way for the readers.

One characteristic is authenticity. They offer real - life experiences and events, like in 'The Glass Castle' where Jeannette Walls shares her chaotic childhood truthfully. Another is the ability to educate. For example, books about historical events can teach us a lot about that time period.

They often have a sense of authenticity. Since they are based on real events, the settings and details tend to be more vivid and believable. For example, in 'The Devil in the White City' by Erik Larson, the descriptions of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair are so detailed that it feels like you're actually there. Another characteristic is that they can provide real - life lessons. The characters in these books face real - world problems, and readers can learn from their experiences, like in 'Just Mercy' by Bryan Stevenson where the fight for justice is a central theme.

They usually have a lot of research behind them. Authors of these books have to dig deep into police reports, interviews with witnesses and survivors, and sometimes even court transcripts. 'Helter Skelter' is a prime example. The author had to piece together a complex web of information to tell the story of the Manson Family murders accurately.

The top books based on true stories typically have a sense of immediacy. When reading 'A Long Way Gone', you can almost feel the chaos and danger that Ishmael Beah faced as a child soldier. They also have a power to change perspectives. 'The Glass Castle' makes you see the concept of family in a different light, as it shows the complex relationship within Walls' family. Moreover, they are often filled with real - life details that make the story more believable and engaging, like the details about NASA's operations in 'Hidden Figures'.

These books usually blend the known world with the unknown. They take real - life settings, like a small town or an old house, and introduce supernatural elements. For instance, a book about a haunted hospital might describe the normal hospital operations and then add in the apparitions, strange noises, and unexplained events. This contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary makes them fascinating. They also tend to play on our fears of the unknown and the afterlife. Since they claim to be based on true stories, it makes the supernatural elements seem more plausible and thus more terrifying.

They are often very educational. For example, books about historical events can teach us a lot about different time periods. 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' is a book that delves into the reasons for the differences in development among different civilizations based on true historical research.

One characteristic is authenticity. Since they are based on true events, they often have a sense of realism that fictional adventure books may lack. For example, the challenges faced by the characters are real - world problems like extreme weather in 'Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage'.

Well, often they have a sense of realism that makes them scarier. For example, in 'Helter Skelter', the fact that it really happened makes the violence and the madness of the Manson Family more disturbing. They also usually involve real - life horrors like murder, like in 'In Cold Blood'.