“It reads in many ways like a late medieval/early modern version of the “Medrash says” type books, which are very popular (and which I suspect were based on, or at least heavily influenced, by it).”
I can’t imagine they were based on it. I’ve been told by relatives of the author of “The Medrash Says” that she is super-intellectual. She does tons of learning and research for her Sefarim. That is what she does the whole day – researches Medrashim for her Sefarim.
That being said – it’s possible that she was influenced by it.
What is Tzena U’rena based on? Is it Medrashim or Mefarshim? Does it bring sources? Just curious.