Comments on: Guardian 25,373 – Puck

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:39:40 +0000

It took us a lot more than caretman’s half an hour (for various reasons), but when there’s so much top-notch cluing going around I can only say: time well spent.

As others said, not too difficult. But the way Puck used ‘large’ and ‘animal(s)’, often in a different way, was (in our opinion) clever and satisfying.

A hidden answer like 25ac’s INAMORATO is not hard to find, but writing a smooth clue like this is a different kettle of fish.
Very good surface in 1ac (FLAVOUR) and more highlights in 9ac (MAYBE), 14ac) (ELEPHANTINE), 2d (ANYHOW) and 3d (OVER THE TOP).

Whilst there were (only) a couple of weaker ones (eg ITCHINESS), this was more than compensated by the great MAIN (6d) [we thought, this is such a well-written clue] and the one that should be in the Book of Classics from now on: 13d’s AND SO FORTH.

Really good puzzle – thanks, Puck!

By: Davy

Davy — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:23:12 +0000

Thanks manehi,

I didn’t find this too easy but finished it finally. Of course it was a lot easier than yesterday’s Brummie which I still haven’t finished. I always seem to enjoy Puck’s puzzles and there was plenty to enjoy today.
I didn’t spot OTT nor the anagram in the brilliant 13d but guessed correctly anyway. In 25a, I spent ages trying to get an anagram of “in Ascot a R” before realising the significance of ‘over’. A great clue I thought along with ITCHINESS, UNORTHODOX, RHINOSCOPE and MAIN which had a great surface.
Thanks Puck.

By: otter

otter — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:32:08 +0000

Thanks Manehi, and thank Puck. I enjoyed this, most of it not too difficult, but quite a struggle for me in parts as brain is not working well today. So I appreciated it a lot. Didn’t get the explanation of OVER THE TOP, so thanks for that.

By: Joshua's mum

Joshua's mum — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:39:38 +0000

I’ve only just finished it and agree with all of you who think 13d a very clever clue, one of the best for a long time. How enjoyable the whole crossword proved to be.

By: liz

liz — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:11:18 +0000

Thanks manehi and thanks Puck for a very enjoyable puzzle.

Missed the wordplay at 13dn — after reading the blog, this is my favourite clue! A classic.

By: Qaos

Qaos — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:23:43 +0000

Another very nice puzzle – we’re already having a good week.

13d undoubtedly the clue of the day for me.

A few too many vague “part of word” devices for my liking, but forgivable given the number of thematic entries in both clues and answers. But overall, a very enjoyable puzzle. Thanks Puck!

By: smutchin

smutchin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:59:08 +0000

Hi Eileen – no, haven’t done any new ones for a while. Too busy…

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:24:59 +0000

Thanks all
Last one in was 9 ac which sums up my view of this puzzle.

By: Robi

Robi — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:16:55 +0000

Super puzzle that, unlike the experts, I found difficult.

Thanks manehi for a great blog – completely missed the OTT in bottom, and the parsing of LION and INAMORATO (inamorata was in Monday’s Quiptic.)

So many good clues: AND SO FORTH, UP-TO-DATE, BLUE WHALES, MICROCHIP, EVAPORATE etc. And new words: RATEL and caesura from Geoff @10, which was more misleading as it’s 17d.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 10:38:37 +0000

Many thanks Manehi & Puck this was quite a challenge.

Happily, I finished it in style because my preferred solutions were:

16d SHOCKING

21a CROC

I’m sure that all solvers will agree that mine are great improvements.