Final answer:
Historical fiction is distinguished from other fiction genres by its focus on life during a past era and often blends actual historical events with fictional narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between historical fiction and other genres of fiction is that historical fiction focuses on some aspect of life during another, long-ago era. It is characterized by a blend of actual historical events and fictional characters or storylines. An author of historical fiction may create characters that interact with real historical figures and events to give readers a sense of being immersed in that time period. For instance, in Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, fictional characters are placed against the backdrop of historical events like the June Rebellion in Paris. Writers need to be careful not to alter established historical facts and maintain a level of historical accuracy while filling in narratives with their creative imaginations.