phiwong t1_jeaf9en wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:15 PM

His work isn't going to be for everyone.

Tolkien's work embodies his expertise which is the study of languages. There is a formality and structure in his approach that would not be as easily accessed for modern readers. Think of it like Shakespearian language. Unfortunately, if you come from the movie, that would make the transition to the book even more jarring since the use of language is very much modernized in the movie.

TimeWaterer t1_jeag6ge wrote on March 30, 2023 at 4:21 PM

This is an excellent point. Though I wouldn't say the transition would be as jarring, but it would certainly be an absolute difference.

Edited to modify good to excellent

bhbhbhhh t1_jecmupc wrote on March 31, 2023 at 1:05 AM

When I was reading it I felt the language was too modern for the story it was telling. The narration, not the dialogue. "Yep, this is a book of the twentieth century." They say that his writing gets more and more antiquated as the story goes on, but I can't say I perceived any of that.