] I agree that perhaps Henry dismisses novels too quickly as 100 % entertainment and doesn't see their real-life application.

Yes, you knew what was in my mind about Henry & novels.

Look back to the Beechan Cliff walk and Henry's remarks on Udolpho and novels- He may appreciate the creativity of novels, their effusions of wit and humour-- as mentioned in the Defence of the novel.
Even if too quickly, he puts down a novel before considering ideas on human nature he reads there.

I wondered if Henry is wresting with feelings of filial obediance, as I think he often does.
He may realize his father is similar to the central gorthic figure of the tyrannical father, yet I doubt he'd wish to admit this to Catherine at that moment.

I agree NA is a novel about different types of readers and reading styles.
I hadn't seriously thought that Henry misreads novels--you mean while he can discern the sensational, he doesn't recognize the core human values in novels so never applies what he reads ?

I commented earlier Eleanor maybe more realistic than Henry i.e on riots and civil order but I was thinking less on novels.
If I understand Eleanor's speech on history, she well realizes writing of history is subjective. Yet is content to 'take the false with the true.'
I have an impression Eleanor prefers to read well written history rather than simply genuine words.
Eleanor must be very discerning to know what is real to what is fancy to raise interest in histories.