>few subjective, shallow criticisms What criticism isn't subjective? I'd vouch that Tolkien is massively overrated as a writer. Perhaps not of all time, but u

>few subjective, shallow criticisms What criticism isn't subjective? I'd vouch that Tolkien is massively overrated as a writer. Perhaps not of all time, but up there along with Stephen King. I like Lord of the Rings just fine but it's not even close to my favorite work of written fantasy. His worlds are huge and beautiful, yes, especially his invented languages. But as works of readable fiction, they just fall so flat. My favorite part of the books are the indices because that's Tolkien's wheelhouse.