I'm not sure - I do get the suspicion that RJ didn't intend for this series to be the next "Grapes of Wrath" or anything, so it's a bit easier for me to have fun with the series than a hardcore fan who thinks is the Best Series of Books Ever. That said, I'd just like to note that he actually liked Book 1, even though he noted it was extremely derivative, so even though he's very critical, he's not un-entertained.