Trouble with Tolkien

[Robert]

Points above for mentioning Opeth. Seen them play live on four occasions - always excellent.

Dragonlance Chronicles? Those are some bad books, I'm sorry to say. I tried to read them in high school and couldn't get past what a clumsy job the authors did. Mostly flat characters, badly-written prose, too much hand-holding of the reader, too melodramatic in presentation of events and the character's reactions.

[Mach]

Wastrel wrote: "How exactly are people meant to give reasons for why they think something is brilliant without seeming as though they're trying to 'convert' you?
I mean, say I think a book is brilliant. I say thi..."



I am clapping out loud Wastrel, lol. But seriuosly David, no offense but i think you were hoping that alot of people would come in here and critisize LOTR to justify your dislike of it. That did not happen because most people, i would guess 9/10 fantasy readers like LOTR. I have no idea why you want others ratifying your opinion, if you don't like it then you don't.

By the way 80 pages is not really that long especially in a tome like that,you might have gotten more into the story if you were patient and stuck with it a little longer. You can try The Hobbit if you are willing to give Tolkien another chance. Even though it's actually a prequel i recommend people reading that one before LOTR, and its only 300+ pages with a faster pacing.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

How should people given reasons, Wastrel? By doing what Kernos and Pauline did, and sharing what moved them about the book, and the impact it had on their lives. I found their comments very interesting and insightful, and Kernos helped me understand how those books at that place in time helped develop a lifelong fan.

It is possible to "share" without converting. However, I have found there are a number of people that see a difference of opinion as a personal challenge.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

David wrote: "Masha wrote: "I suppose it more forgivable in fantasy such as LotR since it's not just feelings and dialogue, it's a way of introducing us to the world. You don't need massive world-building in Mob..."

Thank you, David.