Listener Crossword 4592 Graven Image By Phi

[perseverer]

A good challenge from one of the most experienced and prolific setters. Some quite simple clues but plenty of others to keep you on your toes, especially with the alterations going on.
Thnks Phi

[Hagen]

I had no idea what what was going on at the start so just bulldozed my way through the (mostly tricky) clues until a pattern emerged. A satisfying endgame with no ambiguity. Phi can always be relied on to deliver a fine puzzle and he has here.

After reading about the work I can't see any thematic reason for the three types of alteration other than to provide the anomalies which form the work's title. No doubt there's something subtle I've missed - wouldn't be the first time!

[Scorpius]

Quite tricky, the hardest this year in my opinion. Not inherently very tough, but easy to get confused with the different alterations.

Like Hagen I can't see a thematic link to the different types of alteration, though there's no compelling reason why there should be one. The puzzle's structure is reminiscent of Listeners from years ago.

An enjoyable challenge with some very good clues.

[Flocker14]

Managed to finish this today after an initial session last night that made me wonder if the game was worth the candle. A favourite theme
which only emerged after Herculean struggles. You certainly get your money's worth with the Listener these days! A wonderful puzzle (once you've mastered it ; I wasn't saying that at midnight yesterday)! Many thanks Phi.

[s_pugh]

An excellent puzzle, one of the best in a long while (and zero ambiguity). I got lucky by spotting one of the thematic entry methods quite early on and once I'd grasped the blend of clue / entry modifications everything started to fall into place. Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks Phi.

[olichant]

I’m a bit out of practice and found it a bit of a struggle, but an enjoyable one with a really nice set of clues. The theme was new to me, and I have much enjoyed looking into it a little. Great edutainment! Thanks, Phi.

[sunny-dave]

A serious workout - and a very fair and interesting one too.

I cordially dislike the principle used for navigating the highlighted cells, but even this was satisfying this time.

Thanks Phi - an excellent puzzle.

[upsetter]

Quite a tough set of clues made harder by the various manipulations but it all resolved very neatly in the end.

Thanks Phi.

[emcee]

Much going on and difficult to get into. However, once a few answers had been entered I made good progress; it helped having a larger number of the one type of alteration.

A toughish puzzle and, as ever with Phi, faultlessly clued and implemented.

[contendo]

That was quite a challenge, but it unfolded slowly (very slowly). My only problem is 36ac which seems to require no alteration either to the clue or the answer.

[Nical]

Contenda, you've overlooked something...

[contendo]

Yes, Nical, I realised as soon as I had posted my comment.