This was less bad than that (a rigorously researched novel), but yes, the same basic idea. The fundamental problem with that kind of narrative non-fiction is that you don’t know what you’re citing - is it the fiction part, or the non-fiction part? Both?
The fact that a “legitimate” academic text cited this novel as a sole reference is an indictment of the entire book.
The fact that a “legitimate” academic text cited this novel as a sole reference is an indictment of the entire book.