How could I
not check out this thread, only to find myself mentioned in passing?
I have got to get this extended edition.
I see in
Smith of Wootton Major, Tolkien presenting his most refined understanding - redaction? - of Faerie. It is, for me, the most haunting, beautiful, enchanting representation of Faerie by
any author.
I think it would be going too far to draw too close a connection between the realms described in SoWM and Middle Earth. However, we should expect to find similarities and resonances. Thanks for bringing it up, Helen.