I think that the source of endurance and popularity of LOTR lies in the fact that this book is a classic example of a masterpiece. I mean, it is on a high artistic level. Its language is various and sophisticated and it's well-thought. It's clearly visible, that the author was thoroughly prepared to be able to write the book. Take into account his great knowledge of former believes and myths, from which he drew inspiration and got background for his characters, like the dwarfs or the elves. But what is most important, Tolkien had something to say to us. He didn't create the whole world just for creating the whole world's sake. There is a deeper sense that speaks to the readers from each and every page of his novel...And which is universal and worth adapting regardless of readers' age, place of living, and so on.
Some of you wrote about the detailed description of the world in LOTR. I personally think that, although it's an extremely rich vision, it's not so complete and polished up to every detail. For instance, we don't get much information about everyday life, or how did the heroes manage to get food...In this matter F. Herbert's Dune is more precise, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, LOTR is the best.
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"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield"
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