Listener Crossword no. 4193 Taste and Fancy by Radix

[Rogue-Elfe]

I'm doing this now because that makes me the question author for the first ever time! I thought this would be tricky, but looking at the way the across answers are unfurling, I might be on to something already. I haven't finished it, in fact have only got 4 across and 1 down solved, but hey - I'm the author!

[contendo]

This is the kind of crossword I really like. On a first read-through of the clues it seem totally impossible, then it gradually starts to take shape as the pennies drop. I got the name of the person quite early which was a big help. I've still only filled half the grid but it's coming together nicely. Favourite clue so far- 15d.

[AHearer]

What happened to the Friday Club? This was a real Listener, and even with all the thematic elements and the grid filled some of the wordplay escapes me. Rather than Much Staring At The Grid, this week it was that other little English village of Much Digging In The Book. Thanks, Radix.

[Ruthrobin]

Well done Rogue-Elfe. I imagine Radix was watching the AB last night to see whether there would be a Friday club. Indeed, the speaker appeared quickly and that helped but this has been hard work!

[trux]

hohoho! Very much enjoyed this, and the way it was designed, giving you easy entrance to the name, then making you sweat more and more to find the down words and (for me, at least) finally working out the across statement, bringing beaming smile of satisfaction and confirmation that it was all worth the effort. Excellent. A true L on the grand scale. Many, many thanks, Radix.

[dr b]

I'm finding this quite tedious, just to toss in a contrary opinion. The person is easily revealed, and WHAT to do became obvious early on, so it really does become just a hunt through the dictionary. So, marvelously constructed, of course - the double misprints are excellent - but not much of a PDM. In the spirit of the upcoming Olympics, a 9.5 for technical merit but a 6.5 for artistic impression.

And while I am going for the grumpy gold, this post should be in Crosswords, not Q&P.

[contendo]

Does anyone agree with me that the preamble comment on 12 is incorrect?

[AHearer]

Contendo, I think the preamble comment applies correctly to what finally ends up at 12, not the solution to the clue.

[aldanna]

Struggling with this, very slowly. Having finally got my head round all the misprint rules, I now have half the grid, but can't write the words in definitely because of not knowing where the misprints are. At least, like some, I got the person quite quickly. Not sure I can complete this.

[contendo]

You're right AHearer. It always helps to read the preamble. I confess I have lost my initial enthusiasm and am now somewhat bogged down. There are several clues for which I don't understand the wordplay, I haven't got the five-word statement and the boustrophedon reading of the down changes has so far got me nowhere. Perhaps I should take the dog for a walk.

[starwalker]

Not quite the"walk in the park" that last week's was. Lots of huffing and puffing, but finally crossed the finish line.

[Twit-Who]

A step too far for a relative newby to the Listener. After the gentle encouragement of the last couple of puzzles I am waving the white flag on this one.

[AndrewG-S]

After much sweating have a full grid, but can't at the moment get the five word statement for the across clues. Have enjoyed it so far with some great clues I thought. Hope to finish at some point...

[AndrewG-S]

Ok so I think I am finished, but did not find the final step totally convincing. Anyway fingers crossed. Thanks for a fine puzzle radix.

[TheBear69]

I found the final step totally convincing. One of the down wordplays eludes me but otherwise it all works for me. Thanks Radix

[AndrewG-S]

The bear, yes as do I now.

[perseverer]

All done, though still baffled by one down wordplay. Have a theory about the title but not convinced. Masterful construction.

[perseverer]

................... and as so often happens, straight after posting got the missing wordplay.

[contendo]

It's very quiet here this week. Struggled over the line with a little help. If anyone subscribes to Magpie but hasn't looked at this month's, Grey Area by Grypt is a virtuoso masterpiece.

[Japp]

I can't work out if 22 is a noun or a verb - doesn't seem to quite work unless I'm missing something, which I probably am given how tough some of the other wordplay was (20a, 28d etc)

[tilbee]

Found this very tough this week. Several hours on Saturday afternoon and still 6 clues to resolve. Out for today so just back to see whether the final end game is worth the effort (with apologies to those who think it wrong to read the thread before completion). Like Dr B found this somewhat of a grind so far, but hopeful that once I have deciphered the five-word statement this will all become clear. However there seem so many options for the misspelling in each, think will take a little time to analyse. Only the first of the 5 words from the down clues yet confirmed. Thanks to Radix for the challenge.

My favourite this week definitely A State Opening by Pointer.