I am a writer. Not a good one... and what amazes me about the books in the richness of his characters and the courage of his story. Tolkien has managed to create this world, give it flawed characters, remain true to the characters, and really write a fantastic piece of literature.
So, I love to learn because every piece of information I get just blows my mind more and more. He was a genius.
That's why I like Smeagol. Really, Smeagol is the bad guy (for Frodo and Sam). But Tolkien doesn't just make him bad. By, splitting his personality, making him a hoot, giving him some of the best lines in the books, but, yet staying true to the purpose of the character, I find myself enthralled by the depths and richness of a Stoor Hobbit gone bad. Smeagol shimmers... and all the characters do that.
Smeagol shimmers...like a shiny pool of oil, colorful but poisonous, fascinating in its vileness?