Guardian 25,422 – Araucaria
The instruction “FH has the same meaning throughout” is the sort of thing that is common in Araucaria’s puzzles in the Financial Times ( as Cinephile), but less often seen in the Guardian. … Read more >>
Andrew
Shirley O’Brien (Auster)
I was sorry to learn from Hugh Stephenson’s latest newsletter that Shirley O’Brien, aka Auster of the Guardian, died on 12 July at the age of 79. There’s an obituary from the Brisbane … Read more >>
Guardian Genius 98 – Crucible
Well, I must say these Genius puzzles vary a lot in difficulty. After two hard ones from Araucaria and Tramp, I found this one from Crucible hardly more difficult than a standard daily … Read more >>
Guardian 25,417 – Araucaria
Our favourite nonagenarian is in literary mode here, with an author and the title of several of his novels. I got the name early on, and that led to several long answers as … Read more >>
Azed 2047 – “Cherchez la Femme”
Azed last (and I think first) set a special of this kind in June 2008. Tilsit reported finding it very difficult (and I see from the comments that I did too), and I … Read more >>
Guardian 25,407 – Rufus
Standard Rufus fare, rather heavy on the cryptic definitions for my taste (six of them). I don’t think I was quite on the right wavelength for this one today, as it took me … Read more >>
Guardian 25,403 – Pasquale
A welcome return for The Don. There’s nothing too difficult here, except that 20dn was a new word for me (though easily guessable), and the phrase at 10dn may be unfamiliar to some, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,398 – Brendan
In a world gone slightly mad, it was a delight (as always) to take some refuge in this puzzle, whose theme is a well-known play and an even better-known speech from it, part … Read more >>
Guardian 25,393 – Tramp
Having struggled somewhat with Tramp’s Genius puzzle last month, I was a bit apprehensive to see his name again here, but this turned out to be quite plain sailing. Of the linked answers, … Read more >>
Guardian 25,379 – Philistine
A second outing from Philistine (the first was in May), and rather a trickier one this time round, I thought, but very enjoyable and with some interesting and witty clueing. Thanks Philistine, and … Read more >>
Azed 2041 – a hard Trek
Azed has been producing some tricky puzzles lately, and this continues the trend (at least it did for me), with I think rather more obscure words and references than usual. I’ve had to … Read more >>
Guardian 25,374 – Crucible
I’ve found some of Crucible’s puzzles rather hard, so I was a bit worried when I saw that I had to blog this one, but it turned out to be quite reasonable, though … Read more >>
Guardian 25,369 – Paul
An excellent and highly enjoyable puzzle from Paul to end a rather mixed week, with lots of his trademark humour. Hooray! (And don’t forget to listen to Araucaria on Desert Island Discs on … Read more >>
Guardian 25,359 – Rufus
The usual straightforward stuff from Rufus today, with lots of double definitions. Only two cryptic definitions, one of which I find rather unsatisfactory. Across 7. NARRATION RAN reversed … Read more >>
Guardian 25,355 – Paul
A couple of weeks ago I noted that I was blogging my first Araucaria puzzle for over six months; today I see that this is my first Paul for even longer: since 23rd … Read more >>