Letter 148a

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 148a
Recipient	Katherine Farrer
Date	18 August 1954
Subject(s)	Reviews of The Lord of the Rings

Letter 148a is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

In this letter to Katherine Farrer, Tolkien expresses his appreciation for sharing her draft review of his work, acknowledging her sensitivity and perceptiveness as a reader. He is pleased that she emphasised the moral dimensions of his story, which he believes provide its realism and coherence more than its vivid imagery. Tolkien reflects on the unintended yet natural emergence of the story's moral foundation, particularly highlighting Frodo's sacrificial journey as the core of the narrative.

Tolkien agrees with Farrer's decision to avoid the term "Elves" acknowledging its overuse and preferring the more authentic "Eldar" Tolkien also contemplates adding a poignant, hopeful note to the story's end, echoing Galadriel's Song, but worries it might detract from the bleak simplicity of the conclusion. He concludes by mentioning a positive review from the Oxford Times, appreciating the genuine enjoyment of the reviewer.