But they're almost like different genres. Sanderson's writing stands out from most of today's writing because he's good. But it's still of a piece with the genre and the aesthetics of entertainment in our day. Tolkien's writing stands apart, not only today, but in his day as well. It has always been something truly unique. It's because of this--that it doesn't fit within the norms of today's (or his day's) aesthetics that many people have difficulty with it.

It's like starting to read the Illiad and expecting it to be like watching Gladiator. You'll bounce off of it because you don't have the right frame.