On Fairy-Stories

[Arwen Imladris]

Is LOTR a fairy tale? What is a fairy tale any way? Tolkien wrote an easay "On Fairy-Stories" that I have been reading. I thought that this might be a good place to discuse it.

This is (I think) a vert good quote about fairy tales.

The realm of fairy-story is wide and deep and high and filled with many things: all manner of beasts and birds are found there; shoreless seas and stars uncounted; beauty that is an enchantment, and an ever-present peril; both joy and sorrow as sharp as swords. In that realm a man may, perhaps, count himself fortunate to have wandered, but its very richness and strangeness tie the tongue of a traveller who would report them. And while he is there it is dangerous for him to ask too many questions, lest the gates should be shut and the keys be lost.

I think that LOTR counts as a fairy tale, what do you think?