The sentence actually means that I am not going to see the movies or read the books (though Tage’s competent recommendation was near convincing). I don’t advocate boycotts. They are useless and wrong-headed, in my opinion (which you are welcome to disagree with, by the way).

I don’t share your opinion that Tolkien was a good linguist, but not a good novelist. But it may be because my enjoyment of the books is directly tied to his brilliant use of language (and the story, of course).

Umm, yes… So let me get this straight: we should eliminate any postings which are a response to a person’s opinion.

Yes, because obviously I was the one advocating boycotting something because that something’s author said something I disagreed with.

*Cough*

I’m a big fan of LotR and a fair admirer of the Chronicles of Narnia, but I can see Pullman’s points… Is he a little brashly vocal? Perhaps. Could he be more diplomatic? Certainly.

But Tolkein is longwinded, and concerned largely with things that were cool to him. It’s an awesome story idea wrapped inside a lot of self-indulgence in writing. But the guy was a linguist, not a novelist. Doesn’t mean I don’t love the story, but my love doesn’t prevent it from being bad novel writing.

And Lewis — he promotes Christian ideals: there’s lots of good story but it ends, basically, with the idea life on earth is less important than the afterlife. Someone (Susan) who values worldly things has in-point-of-fact rendered themselves incapable of wanting to go to heaven. That’s kind of a lot to swallow; is it any surprise that someone with Pullman’s views would find it offensive?

I’m of course not saying don’t avoid Pullman if you disagree with his views, or if you feel that he denigrates your beliefs. However, if the only thing you dislike is his dislike of other authors, check out the first book. It’s quite good. The second one is decent as well. The third is rather meh, but you end up reading just finish things off.

NEWSFLASH: 90% of all blogging has been permanently halted by “Jon.” More at 11 after our story about people having opinions.

My concern is Pullman’s blind arrogance in calling LOTR a lesser work than his own.

Newsflash: people have opinions. More at 11.