Do you find the comparison to "literary Advil" apt? Do you read historical fiction primarily for the story or the history behind it?

In the afterword, the author says, "I often liken historical fiction to 'literary Advil,' in that, ideally, readers enjoy the sugarcoating of a story while benefiting from the 'good stuff' (i.e., history) along the way." Do you find this comparison apt? Do you think she achieved this goal?

What do you think of historical fiction as a genre? Do you read historical fiction primarily for the story or the history behind it?

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. I read primarily for the history but it must have an interesting, well thought out story as well. I won’t read sugarcoating. Also, historical fiction should not be any old story just dropped somewhere in history. The story must have viable historical context

I love reading historical fiction, particularly if the author has done her/his homework. McMorris' Sold on a Monday was an eye opener about the Great Depression.

Historical Fiction is a favorite genre. Thinking about it, I would say I am first attracted by the story, but then become fascinated with the history. I have listened to several authors (my book group is great for that) and I am amazed at the time and work that has gone into searching for the facts when they are writing a historical fiction. Accurate facts are so important as the story develops.

O love historical fiction. It often affords us the opportunity to "be there" I found this in her first book, Sold on A Monday, but not as much in this book. Not sure why exactly. Perhaps, the background about magic and Houdini just didn't grab me. I think the story of the "stampede" might have been more gripping - to me at least. what happened to those families afterwards? That was something I've never read about.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. It is specially great when the author does a good job of searching for the history - a story involved with the history is a great way to learn a part of history and have a story to go along with it I learn and enjoy the learning!

I find myself more drawn to historical fiction in recent years. However, I never really enjoyed history textbooks or even historical biographies. The inclusion of a great story and relationship brings that history to life for me in a way that the dry history books never could.

There was actually something about the author's comment about "literary Advil" that bothered me, not sure why. It implies it's a way to simplify history, make it more palatable for readers - like most wouldn't bother with history if it's not sugar-coated. I do enjoy historical fiction because I like picking up new information about the past, but that wouldn't be my primary reason for selecting a novel. Generally I'm looking for a good story - something entertaining, something that takes me out of my day-to-day existence. If I specifically want to read about a time period or historic event I'll generally choose non-fiction.

I don’t read a lot of historical fiction as I prefer reading historical nonfiction. So when I do read historical fiction it is for the history. I also find that my most favorite historians - Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jon Meacham, Allen Guelzo, Edward J Larson and Ron Chernow - to name but a few, write so well and tell such a good story as to be as engaging as good historical fiction and I get the facts without the fiction.
Yes, I think Ms McMorris did a very good job in pulling readers in and educating them and hopefully enticing them to check out some non fiction books on this time in history.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Combining historical facts with a great story and compelling characters is a great way to learn about history. I’m always amazed at the amount of research that goes into the development of a good historical fiction novel and the facts I learn from the author’s sharing their research in a palatable way through their storytelling.

I enjoy reading historical fiction especially when I learn about events and people that I never learned about. I read historical fiction both for the story and for the history behind the story.

Historical Fiction is my favorite genre to read. I love learning about different parts of history, and if it is done well, a great story to go along with it. I think it takes very meticulous research to do this well. There was a lot of interesting aspects of history in this book that I was not familiar with.

I like historical fiction not for an Advil effect or sugarcoating but for the emotional side of history. How people felt, what the emotional impact was of an event in history. Straight history doesn’t always give the reader that. Why I like fiction. It can give you the history but also put you in the participants shoes. What did it feel like.

I read for the history and consider it a bonus if the book is also well written