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I too am increasingly disillusioned with the literary establishment's constant endorsement of self-consciously intellectual and very boring novels by deservedly unknown writers, who produce work solely for the academic market.
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I recommend the entertaining and acute "Reader's Manifesto' by B.R. Myers, Squatter. A different argument, in some sense, but the same effect, affectingly. His thesis is fundamentally flawed (good points, imprecise support)... but so are all fun polemics...
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That said, I also have to say that, for me, there are considerable passages of purple prose in LOTR which sadly diminishes my great respect for Tolkien's other considerable achievements. His attitude towards "The Other" I also have serious reservations over.
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Yes. Part of the reason perhaps for the adversarial 'literary' attitude is the often blind defense of very serious flaws extant within the novel by appreciators. For instance, no-one could claim that the good Prof. had a firm grasp of tone, or consistency in voice. In a way though, with increased subjectivity, this may well be part of the charm; explaining all those odd Bombadil fans.
A weaker point may be made on that; the afore-mentioned attitude is due to the objective approach towards quality in prose that is entrenched in the establishment at present, and Tolkien has always required obeisance to the subjective.
All tone is commentary.
[ March 31, 2003: Message edited by: Rimbaud ]