Letter 36b

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Letter 36b
Recipient	Philip Unwin
Date	15 September 1939
Subject(s)	Publication of Beowulf translation and a sequel to The Hobbit.

Letter 36b is a letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded edition.

Summary

Philip Unwin had written to Tolkien advising him that it may be wise to delay the work on Beowulf due to the paper shortages caused by the outbreak of war in Europe. Tolkien responds by suggesting that schools will likely continue to function as normal for some time and so there may still be a demand, though a reduced one.

Tolkien apologies for not having updated Philip sooner regarding his interest in a sequel to The Hobbit and even says "I do not suppose this any longer interests you" before stating that he has actually written three quarters of the story already. He then mentions that he has not had much time this year due to illness and injury; having received a concussion from an accident whilst working on "the land".