Comments on: Azed 2043/cecropid?

By: Norman Hall

Norman Hall — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:08:59 +0000

An excellent puzzle. Couldn’t disagree more with Jake’s attitude.
Best clue 31d ORCA, ACRO[SS]rev.

ilancaron gives as his explanation ‘across = not down’ without saying that this is a reference to across and down crossword clues — presumably because he thought it was obvious.

By: Jake

Jake — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:33:30 +0000

I filled in right side and top of the grid very quickly. I had to look up 7d MIEN in Bradfords, got bored and put it to one side.

Being too easy as compared to the usual Azed’s EV’s and Listeners I found the words I filled very normal. There wasn’t too many odd words that one usually sees to his puzzles.

Everyone is different I suppose, I just found what I’d filled not very challenging and put it to one side. In other words I couldn’t be ar**d to do it or waste my time. I’m idle sometimes, but do enjoy a taxing puzzle!

Sorry if that sounds harsh, but hope it has cleared up any doubts.

By: ilancaron

ilancaron — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:17:25 +0000

I assume Jake was being ironic… but perhaps I’m wrong?

By: Norman L in France

Norman L in France — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 13:05:27 +0000

I took a bit of time to fill in the last two short words in the middle of the puzzle, SPAN & MATT, and I didn’t really understand MATT afterwards, but that certainly didn’t spoil the pleasure of the doing the rest.

Jake.
I can understand being bored by a crossword (or anything else) but I’m not sure how anyone can say a crossword is far too easy if they haven’t actually finished it.

By: Jake

Jake — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:54:46 +0000

This was far too easy. How can one say it was hard! Apart from some poor cluing—very much unlike Azed???

In fact I packed this up and didn’t bother completing it as for the first time Azed bored me. favourite clue though must be 24d with TAB reversed and A short America to reveal a YAM or sweet potato.

Sorry Azed at you worst here.

By: Bob Sharkey

Bob Sharkey — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:43:56 +0000

I agree that this was tough, but tougher in some parts to find the word-play than the solution. I was disappointed to see Azed resort to indicating a separate ‘t’ in the anagram at 18 down. Perhaps a theatre buff will know which are the two plays and let us know. The review omits 7 down, MIEN (homophone of ‘mean’). Otherwise, Ilancaron has done a thorough job of this puzzle.

By: Jan

Jan — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:40:36 +0000

I managed all but three (22, 18 and 32), but was thrown for a while by the typo and the numeration for 14 and 15 on the print version.

Thanks for the blog – there were a few solutions which I couldn’t fully explain.

By: AJK

AJK — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 09:33:00 +0000

Yes, very difficult. Abandoned with about 3/4 done-my wife wanted me to do more important things! Today’s was far more straightforward.

By: Rishi

Rishi — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 06:02:06 +0000

36d: The Tempest is set in Prospero's cave, among other places. Caliban, being his servant, could well be imagined to have been there. Prospero taught Caliban language and it helped the latter to abuse his master.