Comments on: Guardian 25,839 – Pasquale

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:45:30 +0000

Thanks, Pasquale and Uncle Yap.

I’ve only just had time to do the puzzle and thoroughly enjoyed it – being on the Don’s wavelength.

Always good to see the Shakespearean references, MSND being the first play that we read at a very young age.

I liked ROOTCROP and SORBONNE and didn’t see any problem with the clueing.

Happy New Year, Pasquale and keep them coming!

Giovanna x

By: Brendan (not that one)

Brendan (not that one) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:17:02 +0000

Finished this eventually but I must agree almost wholly with Tupu @11.

I often don’t “get on” with “the Don” and this was a prime example. Several clues rather contrived IMHO.

Also don’t think Russian Dandy for Eugene Onegin and University for Sorbonne are particularly apt for a midweek crossword!

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:03:25 +0000

One might quibble about 17ac (see harhop @16, perhaps rightly so), 3d (the use of ‘See’), 23ac (the use of the other ‘see’) and perhaps 6d.
For me, it is not enough to qualify this enjoyable and in (several) places clever crossword as ‘not one of his best’ or ‘a little below par’.

Clues like 7ac (not only a Spoonerism, but also one that reads well), 26ac (!!), 16d and 18d were just outstanding (we thought).

Good crossword!

By: brucew_aus

brucew_aus — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:29:22 +0000

Thanks Pasquale and UY

Like others, I found this a bit of a challenge only finishing the last couple this morning. The puzzle broke into two diagonals for me from NW to SE and finished the bottom diagonal first – with the top one feeling like a separate start.

Did manage to parse them all eventually which was quite satisfying. Liked the two 4-letter pairs even though I initially had put in an unconvincing SIDE ROAD and only was able to fix it and parse it when the DRAG RACE came.

Oblique in places and enjoyably cryptic all over – thanks Don.

By: Aztobesed

Aztobesed — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 20:56:39 +0000

To me transgression is forgiveable but am befuddled by others sins…?

(Mote and beam perhaps?)

By: Dave Ellison

Dave Ellison — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:44:38 +0000

Yes, that’s more or less what I thought. No further comment.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:42:47 +0000

DE @19
I would translate it as:
“By all means make your rather trivial criticisms of the clues in my crossword but do not fail to criticise the much greater failings in other puzzles.”
You cannot expect a cryptic compiler to express his thoughts explicitly!

By: Dave Ellison

Dave Ellison — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:41:12 +0000

Thanks, UY. I’m with muffin on this one. Could some one explain Pasquale’s comment @5 (not the Happy New Year bit)?

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:19:44 +0000

harhop
Rather depends on what the litre is composed of.

By: William

William — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:41:58 +0000

Sorry, should have responded to The Don @5 – A very Happy New Year to you, too.