Listener 4311 - Carte Blanche By Chalicea

[TheBear69]

This is an excellent example of a carte blanche puzzle; thanks Chalicea!

However, I think there are eight thematic clues, not seven...

[AHearer]

Yes, good fun from Chalicea, with (mostly) quite accessible clues to balance the difficulty of the unsymmetrical carte blanche. I see what you mean, The Bear60, about eight thematic lights -- but the eighth did have a definition, so only seven thematic clues as defined in the rubric (unless, of course, your eighth involved synechdoche).

[AHearer]

..or synecdoche, even.

[olichant]

What a lovely puzzle, and a nice step-up in difficulty from the last few weeks. I intend to take the penultimate sentence of the preamble literally and have some fun. Such an enjoyable solve, and some very nice clues. Thanks, Chalicea. Hard, but not impossible.

[BobHWW]

Similar to one a few years ago but enjoyable nonetheless. A nice Friday evening workout. Many thanks Chalicea.

[EV_Solver]

Nice puzzle, but very similar in style to another puzzle from earlier thus year (although that one had more thematic coherency, and a much better denouement). A bit surprised to see the two puzzles so close together, I have to say.

[Contrarian]

Guessed the theme very early on, but still struggling to fit it all together.

[s_pugh]

Spotted the theme very early on which greatly simplified things. Good fun and a relatively simple example of a carte blanche which fits together very, er, neatly (had to be careful there!). Thanks for giving me the weekend back Chalicea.

[starwalker]

Great fun. I also got the theme quite early and then had to keep solving in order to start building the grid. Thanks Chalicea.

[Scorpius]

A very nice example of an accessible carte blanche, perhaps one for newcomers to the genre. A couple of thematic clues were enough to suggest what was in store, so constructing the grid proved straightforward. After last week's puzzle I was glad to have a clear preamble and instructions that didn't involve unfamiliar concepts.
It was similar to one earlier in the year, but I found constructing the grid of this one far less frustrating.

[jim360]

A mostly-filled grid with an annoying gap in the top-left... and not quite sure where 8dn is either, although it's obviously in one of two places. But what it means I don't know. Hmm...

[jim360]

And a third look at the puzzle resolved the outstanding issues. The curse of cartes blanches struck again, almost. Chalicea's created a very artistic grid as she usually does, and thankfully the clues weren't too bad on reflection, although for a while I couldn't break into the bottom half of the puzzle.

[doctormatt]

Phew yes a nice challenge with good clues and amazing construction. I agree not quite as entertaining as the other one earlier this year.

[Contrarian]

Thanks Chalicea. Very elegant.

[upsetter]

Now this is exactly what a Listener should be.
Although it took us several hours, it is still a perfectly fair introductory puzzle.

[emcee]

Forgot to post earlier!

I echo the sentiments re: similarity between this puzzle and the one set earlier this year.

Not really sure about the point of the endgame. Seems to have been tagged on as an afterthought. Did the compiler(s) spot this at the end or was it preconceived?

Thanks, Chalicea

[tilbee]

Certainly an appropriate use of the carte blanche format !

Like some others got the theme early on which certainly helped, but enjoyed the remainder of the solve. Thanks to Chalicea.

[Cruncher]

Many thanks RR. And a very accurate depiction. How do you do that?

[Ruthrobin]

Just spend a lot of time, Cruncher, and get masses of pleasure from it when it works.

[Cruncher]

It did. Good work!

[borealis]

Lovely. Had fun presenting the blanks. Pity that points for artistic effort are not awarded. I wonder how the remaining Listen with Others regulars will present theirs in a couple of week's time?
Thanks, Chalicea.