This. Tolkien was a medieval literature professor. His academic work is much worse. I still remembering being in an advanced level English course and no one wanted to admit how tough his academic work was to get through.

I enjoyed his fiction because it reminded me of works like The Fairie Queen and Beowulf. If that era of writing isn't familiar or enjoyable to you, don't force it. Or try reading those works separately, then return to him later.