Listener 4577 - The Gaudy

[sunny-dave]

A brisk romp through some neat (but not too taxing) clues and then a mercifully brief grid stare - another entry-level Listener, but a very pleasant one.

Thanks Paddock - plenty of time now for the Rugby watching (and associated Guinness drinking) this weekend.

[Flocker14]

Not that brisk in my case thanks to some very chewy clues. I was on to the theme very early but couldn't confirm it for some time. I'd put that at a little above entry level myself. Must get to know the theme better sometime. Thanks Paddock!

[s_pugh]

If that is entry-level I'd hate to see a tough one! Some very tricky clues, including just one (one of the six) I still can't parse for the life in me. I was hugely helped by spotting the theme almost instantly thanks to the setter's generosity. Thanks Paddock.

[upsetter]

Clever to spot the scope for using the novel titles as indices.

We feel that this is definitely not an entry-level Listener.

Thanks Paddock

[Philoctetes]

I'd say lower-mid level, rather than entry. I polished off all but the NE corner before my eyelids drooped yesterday, and another ten minutes or so saw me clear this morning. Good cluing
On another tack, seeing the solution to 4574 in today's paper, I do wonder how accurate we were expected to be, given that the printed solution's triangle does not join the centre of the relevant squares ;)

[Hagen]

I'm not quite sure how one defines entry-level, but this was certainly easier than many. Not that I'm complaining; this is more in my comfort zone than complex geometry. I liked the way parts of the titles were incorporated into the six thematic clues. I'm not confident I understand the puzzle's title but I can see a loose connection between it and the featured works. Thanks Paddock, I enjoyed this.

[12barblues]

Yet another solver who came onto the theme quickly but still hasn’t parsed several answers(which I’m assuming/hoping are correct due to lack of alternatives). It seems to be the season for puzzles on this theme though.

[perseverer]

Certainly not easy in my opinion. Perhaps too many clues used a similar device, for my liking.
Despite its undoubted popularity in one format, the theme was not one I ever got into.

[Spoffy]

Hagen - try googling the title of the puzzle together with the title of the final novel...

[Hagen]

Thanks Spoffy. All clear now. I'd never have got it alone.

[emcee]

A neat puzzle with some tricky clues. I think lower-medium difficulty is about right; definitely not easy.

Thanks, Paddock.

[icynorth]

Thanks Paddock (your usual handle?) - Much to admire, but the theme fell with the first clue I tackled, then it was a slog through some very tough clues. I guess I prefer to do it in reverse. Maybe that wasn’t your intention?

[contendo]

I thought some of the clues were quite brilliant, with very subtle disguising of wordplay into the surface meaning. .
On the subject of doubts about solutions to previous crosswords, how about those Sibelius opus numbers in no. 4573? There are lists of his works giving different numbers from those quoted in the solution.

[PhilipW]

I too enjoyed the cluing - precise but sometimes difficult to parse on first reading

[NickorWan]

Very enjoyable. I really like how the titles work in the clues so those, like me, who didn't know them could at least work some of them out and get something to search with. Some cracking clues too.

I doubt that I could have solved it without Google though, which is a bit frustrating having had a puzzle turned down this year because solvers would probably need the Internet.