I don't think it's just the older style of writing. Having read all three books umpteen times, I found that though the story itself is beautiful, epic and inspired, Tolkien stifled it in the writing. It's overly ponderous, too descriptive... essentially he doesn't put enough life into it, which may turn off many modern readers. I remember trying to read it the first time when I was only 13 or 14, and I gave up because I found it so boring in comparison to my usual fare.
That said, I think the Silmarillion is one of the greatest books ever written. And I loved every minute of the movies.
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