RateItAll: The Opinion Network

What an imagination! Whether you liked the books/movies or not ~ cannot say there isn't talent there!!!

A fantastic author.

Loved The Hobbit (first fantasy novel I ever read ) and read it few times but gave up on the LORT when I was 13 as it was not fast paced enough for me but thankfully the movies were amazing. Still Hobbit is still one of my favorite books and IMO J.R. Tolkein's crowning achievement.

The Hobbit is one of the best books I have ever read. It gives you a concise, interesting story, with measures of humor, horror, heroism and a setting the lives beyond the book. You know reading the book that there is a much larger world outside of what Bilbo is experiencing.

Well, he deserves 4 stars IMO, but give 3, because I'm annoyed by his fanatic fans!

MY BIBLE. By the way, Wheel of time series is such a waste of time and money

Brilliant author, far, FAR more COMPLICATED than some give him credit for. Few, if any, authors ever understood the nature of evil in such depth, and only a handful were even close to him as far as imagination goes. I said it on another thread on this site, but he is the Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzsky of his genre, and no other writer dominates a genre as thoroughly and powerfully as he does.

The father of true fantasy. The Lord of the Rings is awesome. I did find some of his other books, such as Silmarillion, to be kind of dull, but the LOTR book and the Hobbit can be read over and over again. My only complaint with the LOTR book is there wasn't a lot of action, fighting, that sort of stuff. Mostly it's them running, daily life stuff, etc. The action scenes are sweet, but they're few and far between. Too much description, too. Who wants to hear a long, tedious description of the landscape or peope when they could be reading an action scene. Tolkien should've left some of it to our imagination.

No other fantasy author is any better. He may not be any better than a few others but he is as good as any.

The best books are the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. I kind of liked Farmer Giles of Ham, Letters from Father Christmas and Silmarillion.

The movies based on his work were great. But I found the Lord of the Rings books to be a rather tedious read. I had to force myself through it, as opposed to more enjoyable fantasy authors where you get pulled through 1000 pages in a month's time. He spends way too much time describing the landscape and the characters juxtaposition within it. If I hadn't watched the movie before hand, to apply some 'character' to the characters, they would be hopelessly dull. Tolkien is really over-rated IMO. But I have to give him credit for inventing the worlds.

Everything about his Fantasy works, to me, is just perfect. His worlds are so detailed it's hard to believe they never existed. Of course, the plot/characters of LotR are a bit cliche, but as Tolkien was the grandfather of modern Fantasy, that doesn't really count in his case. And it's all executed so beautifully I don't find myself worrying. After all, not everything ends happily (after I finished the trilogy and then read Arwen's Story, I was left feeling moved but at the same time there was a sort of sadness and longing for a world like Tolkien's. These feelings are even stronger when one finishes The Silmarillion). And his languages are awesome! They inspired me to study Finnish.

Tedious novels with an immense deficit in character development and an excess of description in irrelevant areas. Terrible books.

Most of the Lord of the Rings books were well written and entertaining- but some parts dragged & I found myself wishing he'd develop some of the lesser charachters more and spend less time on the imaginary history and geography bits.

Ya'know what? Tolkien can kiss my Lord of the rings hating ass. I doubt any of you will enjoy this but hey, whacha gonna do? Take me to court? How about kicking me out? why the hell not?! Id love to see it! The slacker has lost it and hes not wasting another goddamn minute on this site! Your thinking im an ass! Your thinking im immature. Sure why the hell not! Right now im acting like an immature ass. As you sit there, head balding and gaining weight, I sit here laughing it up with my friends as I wright this garbage. see ya in hell people!

At his best, one of the best writers in English of the 20th century. His subtle reworkings of Celtic, Norse and Germanic myth into a creation uniquely his own is unmatched in fantasy fiction, in large part because his protagonists are so very human. All are flawed, some fatally so, and all, even the most repulsive, have points of attraction. His lesser works, and those edited and completed by his son, are less appealing than Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, but they are worth exploring if you have the interest. I wouldn't start there though. And as to Slacker, whose scathingly brilliant review appears below: I wouldn't expect any less from someone who, according to their user page, aspires to be a writter when they grow up.

Sorry to disappoint, Slacker, but I have been enjoying the Rings Trilogy and the Silmarilion for many years now, and I find new aspects in Tolkien's writings each time.

Simply the best. There is no one to compare him to.

J.R.R. Tolkien was an awesome author not simply because he pioneered the fantasy genre but because he included a bit of himself in his books. He let the world know what his values and ideals were but implanting them into an epic tale of timeless courage, loyalty, and love. The time it took to create Middle-Earth with its races, languages, lands, and lore testifies to Tolkien's brilliance. While current fantasy authors may be more interesting reads, most of them emulate Tolkien's work in some way. None of them took the vast amount of time that Tolkien did in creating a world that was as layered as Middle-Earth.

Tolkien is FANTASTIC.

Why is he considered the best of all fantasy authors? Everytime I ask this question I get an answer that describes countless other authors, oftentimes better than it fits him.

Awesome reading, though his writing style can be rather dry at times (I still can't quite seem to get through The Hobbit). However, I don't know a single person who loves fantasy that doesn't like Tolkien, so that says a lot.

One of the greatest writers of all time. The depth he went into creating the middle earth was brilliant. It takes a creative genius to write like him.

well,tolkien is my favorite author he is for me the best author of world.I like the way that he writes.He has a beatiful mind he is for me a special person that I like to read the histories that s all thanks.

In Zimbabwe miles from the authors place,it is still possible to recognise the creatures andcharacters in Tolien's books. ;s

What I have read of his works I think is actually pretty good. I enjoyed the Hobbit. The LOTR Trilogy is ingenious. I love it . The movies arn't bad either. He's a brillient author.

When one takes into account the totality of Tolkiens work then he is found wanting. Tom Bombadil, Tree and Leaf etc Even the Hobbit can take some criticism. Some very ordinary works including the many volumes on the history of the Middle Earth (only for real geeks)

The guy is a creative genius. Unfortunately he is not such a great writer. He is above average but does not do his creation justice. The characters were real, but weak. The detail was way way way too much. The pace was too slow, and the ending was too sudden.

Tolkien...simply the best. He began the whole world of fantasy that many writers and games try to recreate. Elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins, hobbits (half-lings), and the likes all living in a single world is his creation! He tells the story like a god...creating each scene with a great hand and a beautiful imagination that will forever be my inspiration. The Hobbit is clearly the greatest story ever told...a simple tale that does not involve one man being the hero of the entire world. It is simply a hobbit who travels with a wizard and dwarves who eventually helps that small group of dwarves gain back their home. How original!!! The Lord of the Rings was also a great tale, my favorite book but not story. Sure, my second favorite story, but the best book ever. People don't understand...there is no fantasy writer who even comes close to Tolkien. They all end very far from him. Nobody has come close to being as good or better. Tolkien...I honor your memeory. Not even Shakespeare nears his talent...although he wrote plays, still as a writer Tolkien was better. Shakespeare was good too...TOLKIEN WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST WRITER EVER.

No one has ever come even close to this man...and I'm a voracious reader of all kinds of literature. Been a fan of his since I first read The Lord of the Rings when I was 10 years old...and I'm 26 now. It's one of those books I've read at least once a year, every year (I used to read it about 4 times a year until I was about 19).

Stunning world with immense depth. Ontop of that I just wanna add: "Beautiful poetic handling of the language". Don't!!! read a translation!

The personallity doesn't develop as well as they should, it 's not as detailed, there are no breathtaking battles and I hate those childish things as hobbits and dwarfes with axes...

best author of all times

THE ONE! THE ONLY!! THE LEGEND!!! J.R.R. Tolkien, the most brilliant Fantasy writer of all time!! Start with the Hobbit and work throgh the lord of the rings trilogy, and then silmarillion to top it all off... Delicious! O_o But, truth is... I dont see how he "Created SciFi" thats kind of a dumb thing to say since his writings are not sci fi at all, but fantasy. Besides, Jules Verne could be better crowned as forefather of Sci Fi. Ignorant Masses, I swear :P

I think this book is great. Tolkien makes it feel like Middle Earth is a real place and that you wouldn't want to run into an orc. Everything is described really well. Although this can be tiring sometimes, most of the time it's wonderful.

Peerless poet.

Good writer at best. Jordan, Goodkind, Martin and others blow him away. He is simply popular because he pioneered this genre, but his books are average.

Love him - my all-time favorite author!!!

What a wonderful author. His Lord of The Rings far surpasses any other literature work. J.R.R. Tolkien had a brilliant mind that he used well and to the utmost degree. He is definitely the best author on this page, and for me, the best author anywhere.

The best fantasy author ever. Don't say he's not...show me a better fantasy author and I will take back this comment.

Tolkien is THE author who invented the genre fantasy new. His way of showing dwarfs, elves and humans had been revolutionary. He is also an inspiration for young authors and his figures influenced a lot of people all over the world.

He single handedly managed to completely re-invent the mythic tale by turning the hero figure on its head. A truly inspiring author.

Few words can describe the magic this legendary author has brung to his books. The creation of middle earth is genious, every word, every place, every character......it's hard to believe this came from one man's mind. Although I don't know much about the man, his incredible stories speak for themselves.

TOLKIEN... that really does say it all. For me, I was FORCED to read the trilogy in High School - it was REQUIRED reading (guess you can tell I was in high school in the late 60's and early 70's). I started one afternoon and haven't stopped. I've read, dwelt, and lived many great years and awful years, in the midst of the middle earth. No matter where life has taken me... one constant is my LOTR books. The character development, the total belief in right and good versus wrong and evil... Great Books... Thanks John!!

The end all of story telling it could not be done any better than this

Tolkien began it all, but because his stories are rather one-sided in gender representation, I can't rate him the highest. Granted, in his time women weren't adventurers but he was writing fiction/fantasy...he could have written better female characters.

If I can give Tolkien one critique, it is that he often gives too much information. However, if one only realizes everything he wanted to put in and didn't, he must be commended. He is truely the best of his kind.

TOLKEIN IS SOOO DESCRIPTIVE WHEN! I WAS READING LOTR I FELT LIKE I WAS MAKING THE JOURNY TO MORDOR WITH THEM!!!!!

Tolkien is such a genious. He really had a big imagination. His works are great!

The Father of Fantasy!!!

TOlkien is a genius through and through. Spiralingmarce however has the reading comprehension of a three year old and can obviously misconstrue a story's points within two page and still believes he knows enough to criticise it.

Masterfully written works!

Tolkien is alright. It is true...he was one of the creators of sci-fi, but not any more than the other great ones (into sci-fi? you'll know who I mean). It is like explaining to Leonardo da Vinci that Cellular phones are not a form of magic! He would not be able to cope with the true master of nowadays: Modesitt! Will admit that Modesitt probably read a lot of Tolkien when he was young...and enjoyed it.

No doubt, a master.

Tolkien is simply the best

Great for originality, but the people mimicing his work have a much better product.

Is there really anything you can say about this guy? He set the standard, and it has yet to be raised.

Great author. Intricate plaots and stories. Created his own LANGUAGE. Genius who has written some of the greatest literary pieces of all time.

Incredible writer who created fantasy.If it wasn't for him there would be no sci-fi & fantasy. His books are timeless

Absolutely enchanting. I can't think of another word to describe him. Especially reading about how he starting trying to write his own languages when he was just a kid? I agree with foot7910om, his prose can be lacking sometimes, as I got quite confused in some parts of the series, although I forgive him because he writes with such beautiful language. But when I read Hobbit and LOTR for the first time this summer, it had me in a trance and kept me there for months. I got the unfinished tales, and it was particularly fascinating to learn about the origin of wizards, and how they're not actually wizards by our standards (they were supposed to be like our equivalent of angels). Truly the most beautifully entertaining literature I've ever read.

It sometimes gets quite annoying with everyone considering Tolkien's a God. You see, i agree he may have begun the whole thing, i agree he's set a nice and deep world, i even agree LoTR is quite thrilling. But i'd say Tolkien was good for his time. If i have to compare it with the current stuff it's a middle-range book. It has the magic, it has the plot but all of it is quite flat. What i like in LoTR is the ending with Frodo submitting himself to the Ring. Up until then it was all black&white, good&bad. This act made Frodo look more..well, human. Silmarillion is very nice, if a bit dry. But dont even get me started on the Hobbit cos i can rant and rant and rant...

I have only read the story of the ring and I´m really stuck. I just love little Frodo and his friends, and I am now dreaming away to the fantasy world. Who doesn´t wan´t to meet an elf, or even better, an warlock. I am right now waiting on the movies that will come. See ya!

No other fantasy writer has been able to create his own world so thoroughly and credibly!

J.R.R. TOLKIEN is the god of sci-fi and fantasy. He is the best!!!!!

NO ONE WRITES BETTER THAN J.R.R. TOLKIEN. HIS WRITING IS VERY DESCRIPTIVE AND YOU FEEL AS IF YOU EXPERIANCE THE STORY. HE IS THE TRUE CREATOR OF SCI-FI. WITHOUT TOLKIEN THERE WOULD BE NO STAR WARS, NO STAR TREK, AND NO X-FILES.

In a hole, in the ground, there lived a Hobbit. Not a wet, damp hole and not a dry, sandy hole. It was a Hobbit hole - and that means comfort.

HE ISBETTER THAN GREAT! HE IS GOD!!

Ahhh, some call him the Master. I shall take that crown off of his head right now and throw it out into the masses. Although Tolkien is an amazing writer (don't get me wrong after the early statements), I find his works to be oddly thrown together. First you have the Hobbit, a more whimsical beginning to the story. You see glimpses of Tolkien's description a