Below is a quote from Tolkien's preface in the Houghton Mifflin paperback of The Fellowship of the Ring:
The prime motive [for writing The Lord of the Rings] was the desire of a tale-teller to try his hand at a really long story that would hold the attention of readers, amuse them, delight them, and at times maybe excite them or deeply move them. As a guide, I had only my own feelings for what is appealing or moving, and for many the guide was inevitably often at fault. Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it, have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer (xiv)
To hold attention, amuse, delight, excite, and move...
And note the off-the-cuff British *snap* (or at any rate have reviewed it).
What a wonderful author! And true story-teller!
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