Ev Sunday Telegraph Enigmatic Variations 1098 - Find & Replace By Poat

[Twit-Who]

Hello EVers,

Hope you have all managed to obtain your EV even though website is STILL down.

Having been stuck on this last night I have had a second wind and breezed through this puzzle this morning....... until the end. I don't have the full quota unless I have to change something else or another letter is included? Does this have anything to do with the theme (least said about that the better)?

Despite this stumble at the finishing post this was a most challenging and enjoyable crossword and many thanks to Poat.

[novalis]

Hi Twit-Who.

I managed most of this yesterday ( I cannot figure out the word play for what I think is the answer to 21 d - the clue suggests a noun but the answer I have in mind is an adjective ) but now need to go back to it and move the words between clues to determine the characteristic of the grid which is alluded to in the preamble. A little matter of 33 scripts will have to take precedence this afternoon.

[jim360]

There was perhaps a certain amount of rolling of eyes once the theme became apparent. There's too much good about the rest of the puzzle to worry so much about that, though -- in particular some cracking clues including 37a that I thought was wonderful.

[Twit-Who]

Were you happy with the definition of the number of items Jim?

[AHearer]

Still sitting waiting for them to fix the web site. Very frustrating.

[jim360]

Not really, So I don't have a complete solution -- just a final grid.

[Twit-Who]

AHearer, email [email protected] to request puzzle. I do have a scanned copy that I could email to you but I've been told that it's against AB rules to enter email addresses here although I have done it in ignorance in the past.

[AHearer]

Many thanks, Twit-Who. I'll try that.

[jim360]

It's been suggested that I may not necessarily have grasped the full subtlety of this puzzle (or, more accurately, that I was very wrong). Even more praise, then, to Poat, for a cunningly disguised solution!

[EV_Solver]

Just finished, after 24 hours of bafflement in trying to see how the final grid could meet the demands of the message. Have finally found my way back from up the garden path, and can honestly say that Poat is a genius. And whoever scheduled the puzzle for this week is an evil genius!

[AHearer]

All praise to Chris Lancaster, EV editor, who e-mailed me a copy at 8pm last night (and thanks again for the suggestion, Twit-Who). Now there's just the solving to do....

[AHearer]

The theme aside, that was fun. I suppose that the 'characteristic of the final grid' (which worked for me, Twit-Who) was essential to remove any possible ambiguity, but I'd be surprised if anybody really needed it. 21d is sound, Novalis: the defining word can be adjectival.

[jim360]

Just to clarify more directly: the theme may not be what everyone thinks it is!

[Christiana]

Well, after all those positive comments I will return to the fray, but must admit to finding it hard going at the moment.

[devadolly]

Hello All! Surely it can't be???? 39a + some of the items in the clues........surely not? Have to say, I am finding it a plod, there is just enough blue sky and interest to make the journey seem possible, but I am flounderingand some hints about the final result would be a kindness.

[Shoni70]

Utterly and completely confused once again.
Answers or very broad hints to the clues 15,19 and 26 ac and 1,14 and 29 d would be very much appreciated. Thanks Could the answer to 39ac be made in Wales.?

[jim360]

For 15a you could just research Egyptian mythology. 19a "top people" = elite. 26a What's Oliver Twist's background?. 1d the paired clue is 14d, simple charade to give "salve". 14d after the replacement you'll be left with a hidden clue. 26d pairs with 19a, remember Corleone's title in "The Godfather". The answer to 39a could be "made in Wales", but isn't.

[x_word_fan]

Re 22a - I thought it was not allowed to have anagrams of words not appearing in the clue?

[AHearer]

Yes, Shoni70, the answer to 39a used to be made in Wales.

[x_word_fan]

Shoni70/AHearer - the thing that was made in Wales is NOT the answer to 39a

[Twit-Who]

Got there in the end and what a brilliant red herring puzzle it was!

I'm not sure of the rules, x_word_fan, but maybe clue was passed because the word is in 17a?