Letter 53a

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 53a
Recipient	Christopher Tolkien
Date	15 December 1943
Subject(s)	Family, work and visiting Inklings

Letter 53a 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 a letter to his son Christopher, Tolkien expresses concern over Christopher's recurring cough and shares updates from home, noting the cold snap and beautiful hoar-frost. He describes a busy and hectic period, including interviewing a Polish lieutenant, dealing with Edith's poor health, and handling exam responsibilities. Despite the rush, Tolkien recounts a pleasant break where he met with C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, Hugo Dyson, and others at Magdalen College, enjoying a lively evening with alcohol and dessert.

Tolkien describes the convivial atmosphere, highlighting Lewis’s loud recitations due to a cold and the subsequent gathering the next morning. This social interlude, however, cut into his Christmas shopping plans. The letter closes with Tolkien expressing how much he misses Christopher, eagerly awaiting news about his son's leave, and sending his love and blessings.