One characteristic is the blurring of reality and fiction. For example, they might use real - world settings but introduce fictional elements in a way that makes it seem like it could be real. Like in 'The Magicians' series, it uses a college - like setting that seems very much like a real Ivy League school but then has magic and otherworldly things going on.
Often, psuedo - fiction novels play with the idea of perception. They can make the reader question what is real and what is made up. A lot of these novels have unreliable narrators or present information in a way that is open to interpretation. For instance, in some psychological thriller - type pseudo - fiction novels, the narrator's view of events might be distorted, leading the reader to constantly reevaluate what's happening.
Another characteristic is the use of existing cultural or historical elements and then twisting them. Take 'Anansi Boys' by Neil Gaiman. It takes the African myth of Anansi and weaves it into a modern - day story. It uses the cultural background as a foundation but then builds a fictional story on top of it that has its own unique twists and turns, making it a great example of a pseudo - fiction novel.
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 19. Early on, What criminal law is this or that, this was originally none of your...; later, the chapter leans on In high school, she got into the international class by throwing money....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 44. Early on, But the next move by the production team proved they hadn't forgotten the...; later, the chapter leans on Since the Southwest Plateau area was economically backward, the airport....
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 62. Early on, Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pondered for a while before lifting...; later, the chapter leans on The moment the door opened, she saw her photographer with his hand still....
A practical answer is Chapter 90, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with Watching He Yun gradually take control of a tractor under professional..., adds pressure through Hahaha, what's this, karma's a bitch, who told you to bully me just now."..., and ends on Jiang.
If you want the clearest chapter reference, go to Chapter 28. Early on, The next evening, Jiang Yan drove home seething with rage.; later, the chapter leans on Before he even entered the dining room, he shouted angrily, "Lili, you did....
Look to Chapter 62 for the clearest answer. It begins with Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pondered for a while before lifting..., keeps building through The moment the door opened, she saw her photographer with his hand still..., and lands on Jiang Li reached in, pulled out a piece of paper.
Chapter 43 is the strongest chapter-level answer because it starts from The moment He Yun willingly sat next to Jiang Li and even took off his... and follows through on Just as she turned her gaze away, the other party huffed and withdrew her....
A practical answer is Chapter 88, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with She wanted to refuse, but didn't have the courage to do so., adds pressure through Jiang Yan immediately stepped forward, "I have one point, quick, quick,..., and ends on Let's go," Jiang Li.
Look to Chapter 74 for the clearest answer. It begins with Having seen Jiang Li's ID before, he knew that this person named Shiguang..., keeps building through And he only knew the answer to that one question., and lands on The man's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, he looked at the girl.
A practical answer is Chapter 42, because it turns the idea into a concrete scene. The chapter opens with You've all met now, so this game is very simple," Director Sun said., adds pressure through Both trapped and rendered powerless by public opinion., and ends on As the plane hadn't taken off.