Letter 97c

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 97c
Recipient	Christopher Tolkien
Date	12 March 1945

Letter 97c 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, who has been in South Africa since January 1944 and is hoping to return home on leave, Tolkien writes from the Taylorian while invigilating cadets. He expresses his ongoing thoughts and prayers for Christopher amidst the uncertainty of his situation.

Tolkien notes the advancement of spring in England, with warm weather suggesting an early bloom, and wonders if Christopher will return in time to witness it. He mentions plans to get away for a short while after Easter to Aberystwyth, conditional on Christopher’s arrival. Tolkien emphasizes his desire for long talks and visits to familiar pubs, highlighting his longing for Christopher’s return to Oxford and home.