whatz with it? i know a shitload of people who are addicted to it, but i dunno.........i know the saying "don't knok it 'till you try it," but i dunno, i just have no desire to even look at a fantasy novel........i suppose itz that whole Realism ideal (or is small "r" realism?........i don't remember, itz one of the two)

I suppose it depends what area of fantasy you're looking at. I think I tend more towards horror and sci-fi, but I adore Stephen King, who often crosses from horror to fantasy. I also love Anne McCaffrey's books, which are often a mixture of both. Some fantasy authors seem to try too hard, especially where the names of their characters are concerned, but others manage to get the balance just right - see Tolkien, pure fantasy, for example. It's just a case of finding someone who appeals to you. If you can't, then don't try and force yourself.

What I hate in "typical" fantasy is the problem with the past. In every book we read about something ancient: civilizations, religion, old ruins and so on. Every (existing) civilizatization had its "golden age" many, many years ago. The main hero is always "the last somebody of something". It's annoying.