What a masterful construction by Lavatch...This could be the puzzle of the year. I found the clues to be highly challenging; figuring out the quotation and author certainly helped with the final third of my clue solving.
The endgame is extremely satisfying...This one is well worth the struggle! Thanks Lavatch
Apparently I could do with learning some poems for once. Anyway, a remarkable construction -- it all just falls together so neatly. Thanks to all for their hints and help!
Congratulations and Merry Christmas Jim. Other AB solvers often struggle with quotes, sometimes it comes down to luck as to whether a keyword has been identified.
Perseverer, good for you (did you really survey all the rest of the Listener solvers ?). I'd forgotten that the paper carries solutions to previous puzzles - and retrieving from the output buffer device was most satisfying.
Coalminers - I don't suppose you worked out the significance of "sacco mala"? The puzzle is long-since finished, but the title is troubling me - the obvious ways in which it could be interpreted or manipulated do not seem to yield anything...
Thanks Edge - but I couldn't have done it without those hints. A long way to go before I'm a season solver. But nevertheless I've had a good first full year of Listener-ing and maybe next year will be even better!
Intrigued by the 'Sacco Mala' mystery, I had a go at the CAM puzzle last night. I wasn't familiar with the theme and, not surprisingly, I'm now on the list of people who don't understand the significance of the title.
Wow! Finally finished this today, 24 hours too late to submit unfortunately, as the outstanding 4 pairs of clues finally yielded (11 and 12 bizarrely having held me up, both of which resulted in "well, duh" moments!
Masterful construction, some very challenging clues and a lot of fun. Being practically illiterate as far as poetry is concerned, both quotes were new and made it more of a challenge.