J.R.R. Tolken

[booklover85]

I think that Tolkien's books, in general, are very imaginative and well thought out. His writing, on the other hand, was very boring. I read the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and, while there were some parts that kept my attention, most of the time I just skimmed the pages until another scene grabbed my attention. I think his writing spent too much time explaining the imagined world.

[Dori]

What is The Silmarillion? Is it part of the LOTR series?

It's not apart of the LOTR series. Tolkien wrote much of Middle-Earth. I believe it would be considered a part of the 'History of Middle-Earth' series, if one could call it a series. Other titles from this 'series' include The Book of Lost Tales (Part 1 and 2), The Lays of Beleriand, The Shaping of Middle-Earth, and The Lost Tales & Other Writings.

I think that Tolkien's books, in general, are very imaginative and well thought out. His writing, on the other hand, was very boring. I read the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and, while there were some parts that kept my attention, most of the time I just skimmed the pages until another scene grabbed my attention. I think his writing spent too much time explaining the imagined world.

I believe that was his purpose. He wrote it for himself, so I would imagine that he would spend more time elaborating on Middle-Earth than appealing to the public.

[baconpatroller]

What do you think of Tolken, author of the Lord of the Rings series? He's got quite an imagination, eh? Do you think he's a good writer?

I already mentioned this in another thread, but I'll say it again: he's got a great imagination but I can't stand his writing style.

[Irony]

I think he is one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. I absolutely love his writing style BTW. And yes, of all the imaginary worlds, his is probably the most thoroughly created - history, geography, languages, lore and all that.

When I'm asked who my favorite writer is, I usually name him.

[N.B.W]

yes,an amazing sense of imagination! you could even say he set the basis for modern fantasies today!

[soniakhan33]

No Doubt,he is excellent author.........

[C0ldf1re]

... Tolkien did indeed write in a very archaic style, and it was a form of writing that he deliberately chose to tell what he saw as a very archaic, mythological, and heroic tale...

Tolkien's archaic style was perfectly good. Some of his phrases are as memorable as Shakespeare. Example: "... and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set."

Fine as his writing was overall, he had a couple of faults. One was that he sometimes came across as a professor labouring points of history and geography that the students did not want to know. Another was that at some points he seemed to lose inspiration, and his writing became rather laboured, as if he was forcing himself to meet a word-count or a deadline.

[TIGERSPRITE]

Tolkien's story was interesting. But his writing may tend to make you fall asleep.

[Mistborn]

I enjoyed LOTR as a kid, I've read every book of his atleast twice, but... the sillmarillion. Wow. Haha, and you thought he dragged stuff out in LOTR, you got another thing coming to you. The most boring book I think I've ever laid hands on.

[C0ldf1re]

but... the sillmarillion.... The most boring book I think I've ever laid hands on.

Couldn't finish it. Could barely start it.

[Mistborn]

but... the sillmarillion.... The most boring book I think I've ever laid hands on.

Couldn't finish it. Could barely start it.

lol, it truly sounded like a book worth reading. But he went about it all wrong I think. I mean, its a fantasy book that felt like a history book when you read it. Just bored me out of my mind.

[Amelia]

I tried to read LOTR years ago, and I couldn't get past the overly descriptive writing, which really doesn't sit well with me.
But I picked it up again a month ago, and cruised right through The Fellowship. I don't know if it's because I'm older, and more used to reading that kind of writing, better at skimming pages, or even if the movie made things easier for me (in distinguishing names and places, which was what really messed me up the first time), but I found myself enjoying it, particularly the bits that weren't in the movie, because they were brand new to me.
All LOTR needed from me was a bit more maturity and a second chance (and possibly a few extremely well made Peter Jackson movie adaptations).
I've always respected Tolkein's attention to intricate detail and creativity though. Now I can say I've truly experienced it

[PhotonicGuy]

I've read "The Hobbit" when I was a child and it was an excellent book, recommend it for all of you who have kids.

[Hikkomijian]

I've read many Tolkien's books and I adore his writing style, it resembles medieval texts , and exelent fit for described battles and for story about heroes.

[oloroso36]

Tolkien set the bar.