> It would take a better writer than me to say why it works so well, I just know it does.

One way to look at fiction is that it's a way to express an idea indirectly that defies explanation in literal non-fiction terms.

There are non-verbal thoughts and feelings we can all understand, but can't seem to put them into words in order to transmit from one brain to another without having to go indirectly through a metaphor or allegory.