Final answer:
Authors of historical fiction use accurate historical settings and fictional characters to involve the reader. Evaluation of such works involves assessing literary devices, historical accuracy, and how literature reflects cultural values of a time period.
Step-by-step explanation:
Authors of historical fiction implement various techniques to engage the reader and provide a sense of immersion into the historical period portrayed. One technique is using a factually accurate setting while intertwining fictional characters who interact with real historical figures. This creates a narrative framework that remains historically correct while offering creative storytelling, as exemplified by Kjartan Fløgstad in Grense Jacobselv and Victor Hugo in Les Misérables.
When evaluating a piece of historical fiction, readers should consider several aspects. It is critical to note what literary devices and techniques the author chose to use, such as the selection of events, themes, and repetition. Additionally, assessing how the historical context shapes the narrative and considering the time/space/place dynamics of the story contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the text. Readers should also contemplate whether the author has remained true to the historical period, particularly in settings or characters that can be fact-checked against history.
Questions that readers can ask to evaluate historical fiction include the purpose and aims of the work, the success of the author's techniques in conveying their message, and the cultural or temporal values reflected in the literature. These inquiries help to reveal the biases, perspectives, and enduring questions that the text may grapple with, still relevant in today's context.