“All readers come to fiction as willing accomplices to your lies. Such is the basic goodwill contract made the moment we pick up a work of fiction.”
Fiction never exceeds the reach of the writer's courage.
“Fiction is the great liar that tells the truth about how the world really lives.”
“fiction is the great lie that tells the truth”
Fiction is a piece of truth that turns lies to meaning.
The best part of the fiction in many novels is the notice that the characters are imaginary.
“Do what you will, this life's a fiction, And it is made up of contradiction.”
So they were trying to re-invent themselves and their universe. Science fiction was a big help.