I tend to agree somewhat with the fairly common negative charges against Tolkien, in that he does tend to impose his narrative style and detailed historic vision upon the reader a little too much.
But if ever someone makes a comment about it to me in conversation, I usually point them towards the Hobbit, as I feel it is a much more tightly contained piece of work where he does control himself a little more. Its much more easy to read for those that don't like Tolkien's quasi-Victorian style.
Having said that, I still dearly loved reading in particular, the first part of the trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring and could hardly call him 'my least favourite fantasy writer'. I find it hard to really pick one ad-lib, but the first one which comes to my head is Mercedes Lackey and whoever did the tacky cash-in Bard's Tale novels which tainted my loving memories of the brilliant series.
@ True Moose - I never realised that the BG novels took off - can you elaborate further as to why I shouldn't bother with them?
I need more convincing, as I'd be frothing at the mouth if I saw them cheap in a bargain bin or something! [img]smile.gif[/img] I remember there was a comic that came free as promo material or something as well....