[Guinevere]

I think it's typical for most people who utter such undifferentiated critique about Tolkien, that they usually haven't read his works at all, or gave up after a few pages. What they know about LotR is just hearsay and prejudices!

It really pains me when my son tells me that his teacher (a Prof. of German, we live in Switzerland) has several times made contemptuous remarks about LotR to his students - without ever having read it!! He seems to think that no novel in the genre of fantasy can be of literary value.

I only wish I was able to put my words so well as Legolas and Squatter, I should like to talk to this teacher and try to correct his view!