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Why Tolkien Wasn't Given Nobel Prize: Bad Writing

Jury member was not impressed with storytelling

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2012 8:58 AM CST

(Newser) – His novels became classics, but back in 1961, JRR Tolkien's work wasn't good enough for the Nobel Prize committee. The Lord of the Rings author was nominated that year by fellow fantasy author CS Lewis, but the committee rejected him because his writing wasn't good enough, the Telegraph reports. In documents released half a century later, one jury member says Tolkien's work "has not in any way measured up to storytelling of the highest quality." Also rejected that year: Robert Frost (too old) and EM Forster ("a shadow of his former self.").

A 1967 photo of JRR Tolkien. (AP Photo)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 19 comments

Fondue

Jan 7, 2012 8:12 PM CST

No surprise there. He wasn't a writer - he was an academic.

Dale

Jan 7, 2012 7:51 AM CST

The Nobel prize is not for accomplishments is has become a political statement. Example Tolkien denied and Obama approved. Obama had done nothing to earn the award and 3 years later has failed to live up to the hype.

hidflect

Jan 6, 2012 11:24 PM CST

Tolkien's work was an ode to Roman Catholicism and he loathed the "New Agers" and hippies who embraced his work.

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Why Tolkien Wasn't Given Nobel Prize: Bad Writing

Jury member was not impressed with storytelling

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Lord of the Rings • Nobel Prize • J. R. R. Tolkien • Nobel Prize for Literature • JRR Tolkien

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