Thank you. There is no doubt about Tolkien's talent and his impact on literature. More importantly perhaps is how he was able to incorporate aspects of language mechanics and traditional folklores to create a universe that was self contained and capable of its own internal logic. HIs approach to world building has since been copied and expanded on by many authors who came after him. There is no doubt that he was brilliant and gifted.
In my vacation home in Nevada, I have a collection of art work from artists who contributed to the world of painting primarily during the 60s and 70s. Their artwork is clearly not for everybody. But there is no doubting that they were gifted. I enjoy these works very much. But I suffer no illusions that there are many many people who would not.
Here is a fair criticism of Tolkien: I am disappointed that he seems to relegate half of the human species - women - to background characters who rarely if ever take the lead. I say this not because I have a woke mind virus - I do not - but because the contributions women make to the foundational aspects of his lead characters are clearly worth exploring. It would have added a depth and complexity to his world building - and yes, I am aware of most of the female characters in LOTR and the Silmarillion - having read most of those works completely. Behind every great man there is a woman - even if history chooses not to write about her.