The Australian comedian Ian McFadyen wrote a satirical essay, "How to write a best selling fantasy novel", available at:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~imcfadyen/notthenet/fantasy.htm

Here McFadyen explains why these books are so awkward and hard to slog through:
————————
"The important thing about an epic fantasy novel is that the reader must be exhausted at the end of it. They must feel that they have overcome as many obstacles in getting through the book as the heroes have in fulfilling the quest. So the book must be as difficult to read as possible. To do this:

(a) Tell the story in incredible detail. Describe every day of the journey, how far they walked, what they ate, the weather, where they slept, especially days where nothing happens.

(b) Fill every dramatic situation with lengthy introspection. At every moment of crisis the hero must minutely examine his feelings, perceptions, identity, whether he left the gas on etc.

(c) Never take the easy way out of a crisis. For example, if the Wizard Guide holds great power, he will never use it to solve a situation."
——————–
The mystery explained! Big Fat Fantasy Novels are designed to be an ordeal. (I wish I was only kidding.)

-A.R.Yngve
http://yngve.bravehost.com

The important thing about an epic fantasy novel is that the reader must be exhausted at the end of it. They must feel that they have overcome as many obstacles in getting through the book as the heroes have in fulfilling the quest. So the book must be as difficult to read as possible.

* Rolling, followed by choking sounds. I don’t dare laugh too loud, the baby’s asleep! *