Can children appreciate The Lord of the Rings?

[SlinkerStinker]

I was 12-13, but at the time was reading the 'Scarlet Letter' and 'House of the Seven Gables' so the reading comprehension was there.

Maybe at 25, my reading comprehension is still not there, but the Scarlet Letter has to be the worst book ever catogorized as a classic. Absolutely horrible writing style and while a somewhat interesting plot, very poor characterization. IMO this book is trash and only serves as a somewhat poor catagoration of early American culture.