Mieville's thoughts...

[Aganzir]

I think China Miéville is a fabulous author. I also love Tolkien. But I like them in different ways. If I want to read something ingenious and challenging with values closer to mine, I pick Miéville, whereas Tolkien is for a magical world and magical moments.

In Tolkien, the reader is intended to be consoled by the idea that systemic problems come from outside agitators, and that decent people happy with the way things were will win in the end.

I definitely agree on this part. Fortunately there are also writers who are not quite so black-and-white... It's ages since I've read any fantasy with a dark lord & his minions in it (with the exception of Tolkien). But in truth that kind of fantasy is much better for my own imagination - if I'm not explained well enough the reasons somebody wants to enslave and/or destroy the world, I invent them myself (this is also what I do while watching Disney ).

I understand where Miéville is coming from, but it doesn't stop me from liking Tolkien.