I notice that on a recent Q&A ("What books would you destroy to avoid them falling into other hands?": https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/question/view/2379) 2 users of this site gave "thumbs down" to Wilhelmina Lyre and to Jimmy Hollis i Dickson.
To Wilhelmina for posting:
'[...] parents who don't read the books that their children are reading - with a very critical eye - are running the same risk.
'I'm not really in favour of BANNING The Lord Of The Rings. But I'd take the trouble to debate with my child the values of a book that depicts people/creatures who come from the East and South, are dark-skinned (and who associate with Elephants - or however Tolkien chose to "disguise" this word, it's been decades since I read this filth) as purely EVIL, as invaders who are intent on destroying the values - and lives - of "The Shire" (read the British Isles). Not to mention "Holy Wars" as a solution to a country's problems or the sharp divide between what is "suitable behaviour" for males and what is "suitable behaviour" for females.
'The Lord Of The Rings (considering its wide appeal) must be the very favourite book of UKIP, male supremacists... and many of those even further down the road of xenophobia and racism.'
To Jimmy for his:
'I see that somebody has given my friend Wilhelmina a "thumbs down" for her latest comment. Since said "thumbs-downer" didn't actually post a reply (unless they're doing so while I'm composing this), we may only guess whether this "thumbs down"is re: the idea that parents should talk with their children about the books that they're reading (does this come under the heading of "poking your nose in" / "invasion of territory"?) or rather a TLOTR fan taking umbrage at anybody's criticising hat "masterpiece" of storytelling.
'Whatever the reason, could you please give me a "thumbs down", too? Because I agree with every single word that she wrote.'
I have decided to throw down the gauntlet. Having read what Wilhelmina wrote, IS anybody willing to 'actually post a reply' and defend (on literary or cultural merit) Tolkien's ' "masterpiece" of storytelling'? IS anybody seriously willing to defend it against the charges of 'xenophobia and racism', as well as male-chauvinism and militarism.
In these days when politicians are distorting facts and statistics to create an atmosphere of fear re: [DARK-SKINNED] immigrants and "bogus" asylum seekers, I fancy a bit of lively, LITERARY debate between fanatics on either side.
Tolkien admirers: stop being ashamed to reveal who you are!
I have nothing against a rational debate.
I haven't read Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit. However, I may at some time in the future.
I read widely, but mainly stick to historical fiction. Rosemary Sutcliff and Henry Treece are particular favourites. Sharon Creech, Eva Ibbotson, Michael Morpurgo, Joanne Harris, Malorie Blackman, Geraldine McCaughrean and Anne Fine are contemporary favourites.
My preferences aside, I'll defend Lord of the Rings, because I have seen the film. It was good entertainment, but I don't know if the film was an accurate portrayal of the novel. If it is, then I don't have a problem with it.
For me, the joy of reading a good novel outweighs whether it is politically correct or not.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t agree with many aspects of political correctness, but I draw the line when people try to use it to stifle freedom of speech.
How else could Tolkien have written Lord of the Rings in his day?
Tolkien was not without his critics. He and C S Lewis were in the Inklings, a literary group at Oxford University. Members would meet and read their latest work. On one occasion, Tolkien read his latest piece.
After he had finished, C S Lewis said, ‘No, no, my dear Tolkien, not another effing dwarf.’