Listener 4395: 6 Across By Shackleton

[kdgs2]

I thought I might be in for a bit of grid-staring, but the penny dropped after about half an hour. The amount of thematic material and the construction of the messages is most impressive. A worthy follow-up to last year's Mixed Doubles - thanks Shackleton.

[Ruthrobin]

What a dazzling achievement. Penny after penny dropped. This was magical compilation - a real Listener gem with so much fitted into one small grid. Many thanks to Shackleton.

[olichant]

Just brilliant. It started off with the superb clues, then penny after penny dropped. A masterclass in how to set a crossword. Thanks, Shackleton. Wonderful.

[trux]

An absolute gem yet again from the master. Many thanks indeed are due. Pure delight.

[TheBear69]

Bravo!!! This puzzle is a masterpiece. Excellent clues throughout with the theme intricately involved at each of the many steps to the finale. Thanks, Shackleton!

[AHearer]

I wish now that I'd spent a bit longer on this last night: I paused with a full grid and the messages, and it didn't take long to finish off this morning. As I was filling the quirkier bits of the grid I was asking myself "why is that necessary?" so it was delightful to see it all become clear this morning, and to appreciate the amount of thematic material that was packed in. As one who has difficulty in writing clues I am full of admiration for somebody who can construct fine clues that can also be picked apart in the way these could. Many thanks, Shackleton.

[jockie]

I agree with everything written - well done Shackleton indeed, especially the identical filling of the empty cells.

[starwalker]

I am full of admiration for anyone who can create a puzzle such as this. Never easy, but then I never felt it was beyond reach. Thanks Shackleton for another stunner.

[doctormatt]

I cannot but agree with everything already said: phenomenally clever!

[emcee]

A1 puzzle.

Many thanks to the setter.

[Encota]

***** Frighteningly clever!

Thank you Shackleton!

[perseverer]

OK - in the middle of this unqualified praise, I'll insert a tiny quibble. With the internet, I found it easy to verify all the thematic details, but how would you do without Google, Wiki and so on? So 9.5/10 for me.

[upsetter]

How do we find ourselves in this position? Clues solved and entered, messages produced (3rd partially understood), item shaded (complement - no idea), curves drawn, three empty squares. title a mystery, did the complement succumb to similar despair?

[s_pugh]

Brilliant puzzle, even if it did take me an inordinately long time after filling the grid to spotting the word search entries. BUT I couldn't have done it without referring to the web, as I simply hadn't heard of most of the underpinning story - and what a story! Thanks Shackleton.

[s_pugh]

Sorry, should also say thanks Wikipedia ;¬)

[Cruncher]

Brilliant

[fyellin]

Wow!

[Arcticpenguin]

No need for Google or Wikipedia this week - for the first time in a long while. Must have read the book a dozen times. Greatest true life story ever. Fitting that its been given such a brilliant setting. What else would we expect from Shackleton ? Wonderful.

[icynorth]

I'm in awe of this achievement. Beautifully paced throughout. I strongly suspect you can only get that amount of thematic material into a crossword, and still produce great clues, if you have the devil on your side.

Many thanks, Mr S!

[Scorpius]

Am I the only one having a problem with how to fill cell 31? However I fill it isn't completely right.

[Whenland]

Simply superb. No problem here with cell 31. Many thanks to Shackleton for a great, fun, content-filled puzzle.