ev 966 uncomplimentary remark by rustic

[bellabee]

i think the word play here is rather sparse and consequently several misleading possibilities crop up [no doubt deliberately] - a little more detail would've helped with 5ac especially! but i suppose it's justified in context. i liked it though.

[dr b]

All in all a nice puzzle, although the quotation is pretty easily obtained, which means I was working backwards for a good part of the puzzle (hence no confusion over 5a). Another quibble: I realize that it must be very difficult to write double clues, but with only a few exceptions (eg 10/33a). the surface readings were so clunky that it was obvious where the clues were split. Oh well, yard work beckons, so it's just as well that I'm finished.

[bellabee]

yes, the joins are very visible - not helped by making the clues so short - swings and roundabouts.

[DocHH]

Hello Bellabee and dr b,
I was held up for a while trying to transpose the wrong letter, until I solved 18a and 25a!

[bellabee]

hello DocHH - i wasn't helped with 18ac having plumped for the wrong option for 15d! which also played havoc with the quote! had me thinking E=mc...

[slaney]

Afternoon all.
A good puzzle, and not as difficult as it first seemed - and yes, I also fell into the 5a trap!

[novalis]

Likewise was misled by 5 across until I realised what the quote was. ( We had it in the quiz league in February or March. ) All in all an enjoyable puzzle. Shall have to miss next week's. Work calls and cannot be avoided or deferred.

[AndrewG-S]

Enjoyable but straightforward. Had not heard of the quote, so that part was amusing. As per dr b got the quote and then spent a while working backwards which is always a little unsatisfying. dr b my long wait for Roger Waters is up - going to see the concert at the o2 on Wednesday.

[Speravi]

Very enjoyable, and I plead guilty as charged re 5ac (and ask for multiple similar offences to be taken into consideration).

[Shoni70]

Finished the grid, but reasoning for my 4 lettered entry in 34 across eludes me Any help please.

[turnerjmw]

Shoni70, the first, second and fourth letters of the grid entry form a feminine adjective meaning pious. Add in an abbreviation for energy as the third letter, and the omitted letter before it, and you have a plural for the top of a bird's head.

[Shoni70]

Thank you so much Turner jMW for your excellent explanation. I am most indebted to you

[Christiana]

Yes, 5 across got me too, as only got quote towards the end. Did not find this an easy one, probably because I was lacking reference books, especially the BRB as visiting family in the Isle of Man. It did mean that I had a bit more time to devote to it though. Overall I enjoyed the struggle.

[dr b]

andrew - Roger Waters? In the flesh? enjoy!

[AndrewG-S]

dr b I certainly will - the show must go on!!