In any discussion with a diverse group of readers, both points of view are likely to be expressed. A constructive way to deal with the disagreement is to channel it in the direction of evaluating the importance of characterization, plot, and realistic events to fiction. The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath seems to simultaneously represent the best and worst of fantasy fiction, so a discussion of what makes it good for some and bad for others could bear fruit in a discussion that uses it as a focus for developing a better understanding of what combination of narrative elements makes fiction in general successful.

This direction of thought could be particularly fruitful for writers...