Totally agree than going to the West is like getting some help and a quite life more than committing suicide. But then, I read the Silmarillion too...
While I can take some criticisms about The Lord of the Ring (barely lol), I think you have to take into account that he voluntarily wrote the book as an epic story, the way they wrote heroic deeds and mythology centuries ago (and thus not empathising on the people but on their deeds). By instance, Tolkien was heavily influenced by Northern mythology. So, while it's true that character writing is not his best talent (but not that bad either, I thought), I think it's actually part of the charm : the story fits with all the legends I used to read and love as a child.
I don't know if that's clear...
I understand what you say about watching the movie before you read the book: I don't care enough about the movie (even if I like it) to be disappointed by the book...
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timeasmymeasure
I don't know
Date: 2013-06-21 12:54 pm (UTC)While I can take some criticisms about The Lord of the Ring (barely lol), I think you have to take into account that he voluntarily wrote the book as an epic story, the way they wrote heroic deeds and mythology centuries ago (and thus not empathising on the people but on their deeds). By instance, Tolkien was heavily influenced by Northern mythology. So, while it's true that character writing is not his best talent (but not that bad either, I thought), I think it's actually part of the charm : the story fits with all the legends I used to read and love as a child.
I don't know if that's clear...
I understand what you say about watching the movie before you read the book: I don't care enough about the movie (even if I like it) to be disappointed by the book...