Would you rate Tolkien as a writer?

[deathwizard]

Originally Posted by Sinbearer

I love Tolkien's poetry and, as far as his descriptions, have you read the last few pages of "Flight to the Ford" or Tolkien's picture of Sam confronting Shelob or the first few pages of "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"?

But, as much as I love Tolkien's poetry and his portrayals, his true genius goes much deeper. It is one thing to paint a great picture with words but quite another to sculpt those pictures to create a masterpiece that helps us to think critically and understand the deepest things of life.

Tolkien is one of those rare authors that speaks to heartfelt subjects beyond time and culture that will never stop moving and thrilling us. The truths in his works go beyond him and run deeper than even he intended or could understand. Because of this, I believe that Tolkien is one of the greatest writers of all time.

Very well put. I could not agree more.

[MorvaShepley]

Actually, I rate Tokein well as a writer. True, he is not always great. The start of TLotR is slow, and I can skip the poetry. The trouble is, a lot of people count the simplicity of his prose against him, but it is actually a bonus. He was, after all, writing for children. He did not know, when he started, that the book was going to turn into a lengthy epic that might be daunting to a lot of children. So, naturally, he fell into a simplistic use of language. That's fine.

However, what I really want to say is that, whether he's good or bad, he is always passionate about language. Passion enlivens an author's writing, although it's usually passion for their subject or character. In Tolkein's case, it was language, and the world he created for his languages, and the history he created for the world. From that history he was able to snip bits out and craft into LotR. Craftsmanship is a handy thing to have as a writer, too.

[John Thiel]

Tolkien seems like a ham writer, the same way an actor may be a ham actor or a radio operator may be a ham radio operator.

[Briareus Delta]

Originally Posted by John Thiel

Tolkien seems like a ham writer, the same way an actor may be a ham actor or a radio operator may be a ham radio operator.

Feel free to explain the logic underlying that conclusion.

[Connavar]

Yeah what the ? ham?

[John Thiel]

"Farmer Giles of Ham" was, if I'm not mistaken, written by JRR Tolkien.

Anyway, I'm in agreement with the poster of the topic, who says that Tolkien was not an outstanding writer.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by John Thiel

Tolkien seems like a ham writer, the same way an actor may be a ham actor or a radio operator may be a ham radio operator.

A ham actor is a bad actor: a ham radio operator is a amateur hobbyist.
Which do you mean to imply JRRT is? Bad, amateur, or both?

[HardScienceFan]

There were and are some writers out there who weren't all that skilled as writers,but they were geat storytellers.Poul Anderson comes to mind.
Tolkien was a great storyteller
I've heard people slag off Bowie as a "bad vocalist"
Sure
Writing is more than exposing technique.
Elvis Costello isn't that great a singer,but boy......

[John Thiel]

True, nobody could portray the battle between good and evil like Tolkein. He had that much scope of concept.