Forget the simple hierarchy between fiction and travel guides. The reality is that trip preparation is a matter of logistics, where inspiration may inspire, but the guide makes the trip possible and safe, especially in places without network.
It's like comparing a good story to a medical treatment plan; one makes you dream, the other ensures survival.
The guide is the embodiment of pragmatism, a vital source of information when the phone is dead or there is no signal.
For example, for my patients planning a trip to Southeast Asia, I always tell them that guides are essential for local health information and emergency contacts, much more than any film they have seen.