Fiction of Depth?

[Shaun]

Alright, so I had a thread that talked about immersive fiction and it seems that people generally agree that being immersed is really the best. But I don't think anyone would have suggested differently.
What I'm going to ask here is how do you feel about fiction that has depth? What I mean is fiction that intentionally makes you think about something or is truly filled to the brim with detail or interesting tidbits and character stuff that you can't just read a page and know all the things going on. Dune and LOTR would be examples in the SF and F fields, as both get their depth from intense worldbuilding. What about other works, though? Does depth, complexity, and the like hurt the work in the long run? If you find yourself having to think, do you drop the book? Or do you take a moment to think and then continue reading?

[Rafael Domination]

Well, physical depth that only serves to make it more enjoyable by making the story seem realistic is actually quite good. Philosophical depth is alright to the extent that is doesn't confuse the reader, distract too much from the plot, or irritate others too much. Shallow fiction doesn't tend to be immersive because often the 'interest level' goes sour quickly. Fiction generally need twists and turns and wonders to give it some worth.

[jordanisonfire]

I love books with depth. 'Nuff said.

[Shaun]

Well, while I agree for pretty much all modern fiction, if you go back to the days of older literature, which are highly literary, they tend to do a lot of things that you would consider to pull you out of the story. Yet I know you've read some classics yourself, so, what do yo u have to say about that? :P

[Rafael Domination]

Who me, or shadow?

[Shaun]

You Mr. Raf! :P

[Rafael Domination]

Well, as for the classics and the distracting things, yeah, I often had to force myself back into the book. But it depends on how I'm distracted, though. If it's an interesting topic that distracts me, I'm willing to put down the book and think of it, especially if it might give me any new ideas. But if it just stirs a debate that makes me waste an hour or so, and still not come up with a conclusion, I chuck the book in bin and read the dictionary...:D

[Nyx]

Books with depth are good, but only when it's not too confusing. It's fine with me to have to stop and think, but if I am complete lost...well then that's not good:P So then depth is good, but to some extent.