/lit/ - Literature

>>10086460
What would constitute 'fully appreciating' Tolkien's work? Divining every last shred of his personal code from analysis of his fiction, assuming it actually is a metaphor? Even if you could, what then? You can't engage him on it and he definitely disowned it as such.
If you're after philosophy, why not read philosophy?
>write a children's story
>well received
>write a trilogy set in the same world but with adult themes
>quite popular
>add backstory and expand fictional universe to fill demand
>time runs out
To me, creating some complex web of deciphered metaphors to share and compete with other fanatics is just mental wankery, unless you're doing it in the context of writing your own fiction. If that constitutes evidence of above-average intelligence then pleb4lyfe.

>>10086380
>>10086394
>>10080424
1. GRI/xeno is just a fetish subgenre. Charts, as used here, denote a degree of quality above the general noisefloor. If you want the subset of speculative fiction that includes abnormal sexual intercourse, then use a search engine.
2. Horror has a decent argument. Make a chart. Prepare to duel CASbro with pistols at dawn if Lovecraft isn't on it.
>I hope he wins because I like the excerpts