6:36
TRUSTME when I say that I am generally delighted to see Mr. Charlson's name at the top of a puzzle. I enjoy his sensibility and the way he carries out themes.
Today, I didn't understand the theme at all even after I completed the puzzle and had time to look back. Until it hit me. That's what I call an "aha" moment. The revealer comes at 63A: Explained in great detail ... or what four of this puzzle's clues are? (SPELLEDOUT). So, I had recognized early that 18-, 22-, 38-, and 57-Across all used words that were homonyms for individual letters. Thus, 18A: Kay, e.g., was clearly referring to the letter K.
But that "e.g." threw me off. What was K supposed to be an example of? And how could that relate to the answer, BEERBARREL?
You see, what you're supposed to do is spell the entire clue out, thus K-E-G, "keg!" Brilliance. The others are L-E-G (DRUMSTICK), P-E-G (CRIBBAGEMARKER - a personal favorite amongst the authors of this blog), and B-E-G (PANHANDLE). So good.
The only downer in the puzzle was Roger B. TANEY, racist and author of the Dred Scott decision. But I was able to look past this BADVIBE for other more ROBUST fare.
If you haven't read the Patrick OBRIAN Aubrey-Maturin books, you are missing out on an outstanding literary achievement. The first book is a little daunting because it explains in some great detail the makeup of a British naval ship during the Napoleonic war era. But the relationship between the two main characters is beautifully drawn.
Other enjoyable entries include GAUSS, SORCEROR, and MISSAL. I enjoyed the clue for 4D: Land of Opportunity? (MARS) - referring to the NASA exploration rover.
Nice start to the turn.
- Colum
13:01 (FWTE)
ReplyDeleteThis review is a great example of why I like having three bloggers. You'd never catch me talking about a book! (I was going to add, "about British naval ships during the Napoleonic..." but then I thought, I don't have to!)
I, too, am happy to see Mr. Charlson's byline, and during my twice-as-leisurely solve, I actually did have time to figure out the theme, which was amusing, but my trouble was that I did not know the justice's name. Well, that, and I didn't know the Dancing with the Stars person, and I spelled CALYX with an i instead of a Y. But other than that, everything was perfect!
Frannie called out as soon as she got the CRIBBAGEMARKER answer. And like I was saying, that's what's so great about having us three as bloggers!
Which reminds me a little of seeing John Prine in Paris earlier this year - he kept introducing songs as "one of his favorites," and then he realized it and said, "Gee, it's a good thing I like so many of my own songs."
Sigh.
18:48 (FWOE)
ReplyDeleteI didn't figure out the theme during the solve and didn't think too much on it afterwards, so it was nice to read about it here. My error came at the CALYX/LYNX cross, where I tried an "s." I knew of TANEY (but like Horace, not of LEN Goodman, thankfully). Excellent to see BEERBARREL, ASTRO and RIOJA in the grid. I feel we've seen IMGAY before, but it was along time ago. I fondly remember BAJA, but needed all crosses for PROKEDS. Funny that IMGAY crosses GALPAL. Those books of OBRIAN sound like a lot of work.
Oh my goodness thank you. I missed the ".e.g" portion of the "spell it out" clues and was really stumped.
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