All else being equal, requiring less effort is a good thing. Artists who optimize on that variable are better than those who don't. Sure, you can trade it for d

All else being equal, requiring less effort is a good thing. Artists who optimize on that variable are better than those who don't. Sure, you can trade it for depth (which is why good art often takes effort) but it is backwards to therefore disparage work that is easier to understand. Nabokov is a great writer who, unlike Joyce, was able to make his work relatively accessible. A first reading will be very rewarding. Nevertheless, repeated readings bring out more depth and continue to be rewarding. I think this is a skill to be admired.