While we're on the subject of Tolkien, can I just say that the purists who insist he was a perfect god-author irritate me to no end? This actually applies to just about any writer, but Tolkien fans seem especially prone. Yes, Tolkien was brilliant. Yes, he basically created modern fantasy. But he had flaws. I swear, because I like the movies better than the books, I'm treated like a monster. Forgive me that I don't care for plot convenience elves and characters randomly breaking onto song for no reason.