Listener 4085: Atom Smasher by Llig

[Zabadak]

Though there's another thread on on 4095, and I've contributed to it, this might help get the conversation started, though I suspect not a long one. There really isn't much to this (sorry Llig, and thanks anyway). I feared at one point that the clashes would be entirely random, but it does resolve in a way that lets you check the dodgier entries, and that you've got the clashes right. Not my favourite for the year so far: I'm off to Mahler 8 on the BBC. Happy solving everyone!

[silversolver]

Eventually tracked down this thread - this puzzle was not my favourite either. 1ac was also the last clue to be solved for me, confirmed by the "missing" clashes. The explanation provided by the misprints in the down clues is far from clear and I am not convinced I have "resolved" the clashes in the correct manner.

[silversolver]

Doh - Have just realised that it is clear after all...and I rather liked the final PDM

[IntoTheBlue]

Not my favourite puzzle this year but nevertheless I needed to understand what was going on in order to finish the grid; 1a and 8d were my last clues (for a while I tried to convince myself that 1a started with a D).

Roll on next week.

IntoTheBlue

[Cruncher]

I made this puzzle significantly more difficult for myself by creating a 14th clash, simply by being unable to read my own writing, which left me struggling to find an answer for 1 across using the checked letters. Otherwise a useful way to while away a very long Sunday accompanying a dozen little brass players in their music exams but not a great puzzle IMO.
What was going on in the appendices I wonder. Missed that level of sophistication

[daagg]

Cruncher, the title led me to the most relevant Chambers appendix, where I found exactly the right number of single-letter entries. I was wondering/expecting/hoping that these might be the ones to get smashed - but they weren't.

[shelouse]

Agree with all of the above: not the most exciting puzzle in recent times. Finished satisfactorily, and posted it, but am still puzzled by the wordplay for 13 ac. I do not see how the subtracted letters make luminance. Am I missing something?

[jabone]

shelouse - luminance is L which you subtract (with another letter) from a constellation. I bet you've realised before you read this!

[shelouse]

Thanks, jabone. No I hadn't - I got stuck with a much longer constellation. Right answere, wrong reason......

[teuchter2]

Have now got 1a - it didn't make me smile I'm afraid as I had previously rejected the idea, but the missing clashes confirmed it so there you go. I am slightly underwhelmed.

[BlackHugh]

I finished it this afternoon after struggling with 20d for a whole day- and I have no good explanations for 37a & 33d (gentle hints welcome). Personally I rather enjoyed it, a nice piece of needed stress-busting while the mother is staying,- not sure why that is not the general opinion.

[Philoctetes]

Well, BlackHugh, i suspect my experience is typical. Plenty of straightforward clues, but none that brought a smile, or inward applause at its cleverness. A couple of clues that i felt were pushing it. No intellectual challenge associated with the PDM. Nothing new to learn, no new jungles of erudition to take my machete to. The Listener equivalent of buying a replacement vacuum cleaner.

[BlackHugh]

Philoctetes - I guess I was just glad that this weeks was not a real hum-dinger - the Sine Qua Non of around Easter-time is still in my mind :-)

[dr b]

I was just about to say that this was "the Listener equivalent of buying a replacement vacuum cleaner" but Philoctetes beat me to it.

[Clamzy]

That's a bit subtle for American humo(u)r dr b:-) Maybe you're a recent immigrant or even on a green card like my son.

[dr b]

Clamzy - I'm a Yank born & bred, I daresay. Not sure where the sense of "humour" comes from, other than extensive exposure to the Pythons from ages 13-17 (ah, you Brits with your extraneous u's - flavour, humour, Cameroun and Clegug...).

Whereabouts is your son located?

[tweaker]

don't forget colour!

[Clamzy]

Apologies for the xenophobia dr b. My son has been in LA (Torrance actually) for the past 15 years and currently works as an analyst/programmer for your AAA.

[Lewap]

Looking for help with 1 across... Can anyone confirm - in as cryptic a way as I can think, could the answer serve a triple purpose if said Internet Cafe were in Indonesia?

[bobbycollins]

absolutely

[dr b]

And if a German were saying "Yes" to a Vice Admiral in the Internet cafe....