I'm not going to comment on what literary fiction is supposed to be, but in my experience as a reader, literary ficiton is when you're reading something and you're constantly yanked out of the story by the overly fanciful language, whether it's to shake your head and how convoluted the writing is or to read a sentence or two again to enjoy how beautifuly poetic it is.
You're describing bad literary fiction (aside from the last bit).
Just like someone could describe bad genre fiction as workmanlike, penny dreadful-esque, artless, shallow, etc.
It's obvious you don't enjoy literary fiction on the whole, but I think you probably haven't read much good literary fiction, either.
You've just saved me one massive rant.
Genre is the one-armed drummer with two triple bass pedals and a two-dozen piece set. Let's call fanfic bass players, cos really--who pays attention to them?
ETA: to confuse matters, I believe that there is literary horror, literary fantasy, etc. So I don't agree with the literary vs genre thing, myself.
In my experience, literary fiction wins the prizes while commercial fiction gets the bestsellers
I don't know the difference, but I can feel it. I like them both, although I'm not one for all action and no character development.
Literary fiction is a different sort of page-turner. It's not always 'Oooh what's going to happen next?!' that makes you turn the page. There is usually a lot more interspersed with the plot.
ETA: to confuse matters, I believe that there is literary horror, literary fantasy, etc. So I don't agree with the literary vs genre thing, myself.
They are arbitrary distinctions used to create petty squabbles. They cannot be explained by any rational means.
I like reading good books.
I'm not going to comment on what literary fiction is supposed to be, but in my experience as a reader, literary ficiton is when you're reading something and you're constantly yanked out of the story by the overly fanciful language, whether it's to shake your head and how convoluted the writing is or to read a sentence or two again to enjoy how beautifuly poetic it is.
In my experience, literary fiction wins the prizes while commercial fiction gets the bestsellers
...And gets you laid more. Or so I hear.