There's nothing sympathetic about flat golden light and connect-the-dots gallantry.

Amen to that.

Am I the only one here who doesn't fall for the villain? Of course, I don't root for the hero either: by definition, he's a drip. Or a stick.

If there are hobbits, I root for them. Or the child or the fierce old woman or the witch or the bewildered man or the girl, until she gets romantical. Then I have to sigh and shrug and go on; but it's less interesting. If there are none of these in a book, I find it tough sledding.

If it's Shakespeare, I root for the language.

Nine