Comments on: Guardian 24,660/Araucaria

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:23:31 +0000

Most compilers produce to order a certain number of crosswords per month. With Araucaria, I am told, things are slightly different in that he is guaranteed so many per month (or per year even), with some slots – not surprisingly more than any other Guardian compiler – set aside for Prize puzzles.

Paul’s getting a few more these days, but he’s been at it now for 14 extremely good years. For me there are 5 or 6 other very good compilers, and another 20 who blow a bit hot and cold.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:05:58 +0000

For me, the top half had all the fun. Girls Aloud was great. Personally, I doubt he was asked to dumb down, as I’m not sure that setters are asked to set for particular days; rather they send them to the editor who puts a mixture of easy and hard in each week (with easy Mon and hard Sat, although the last three weekends have seemed easier than Paul’s weekday ones for me). Perhaps this was just deemed too easy for Monday.

According to the website, it’s going to be Paul tomorrow (the puzzle itself isn’t up yet) so I’m bracing myself…

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:51:49 +0000

It’s grid 52, if anyone cares.

Not the worst one out there by a long chalk, with the long clues down joining things up fairly well. Proceeding from any other down light limits you to 50% of the total area however, as others have noted.

I can say for sure that other setters *have* used it, and not just in the Anagruid.

By: Derek Lazenby

Derek Lazenby — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:40:28 +0000

I remember seeing a very similar, if not identical grid, the other week. Can’t remember who used it, but it ain’t the best.

By: liz

liz — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:08:44 +0000

I love the idea of a ‘School of Araucaria’. Perhaps the Master does the clues that seem to have his signature, and the apprentices do the drapery ie the clues that seem a bit looser.

By: Sidey

Sidey — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:06:28 +0000

Surely the real give-away is the grid. Does any other setter use it?

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:49:42 +0000

I’m not complaining!

This was the first Araucaria I have finished for three weeks!!

By: Geoff

Geoff — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:46:20 +0000

Although this is a lot easier than most (no theme or long anagrams), there are plenty of characteristically Araucarian features: 1a is his sort of anagram; 1d (RYCOTTA)* and 6d (SCI)ence are tricks that only he pulls; 14a and 16a are both very typical, as is the obliqueness of 15d and 16d.

None of this disproves the franchise theory, of course… Rev John Graham is 85 this year – perhaps he is surrounded by a team of acolytes? ‘School of Araucaria’, as they say of paintings similar in style, but not positively attributable, to one of the masters.

By: ray

ray — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:31:32 +0000

Nearly didn’t bother when I saw the setter, but it seemed to be one of the easiest from anyone for some time.

Didn’t see any problem with 15d, but agree def for 16d is not very satisfactory. Also got slowed by DEFER instead of DETER for 12a.

By: petero

petero — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:06:30 +0000

My first thought on seeing an Araucaria on Monday, and then reading 1ac., was that we were in for a themed puzzle based on some anniversary – Araucaria would surely have the clout to get it published on the right day. A case of a little knowledge getting me precisely nowhere.