Listener Crossword 4181 : Sinecure by Franc

[starwalker]

Nothing too taxing. Another one to encourage new members. Thanks Franc.

[dr b]

It occurs to me that the simplicity of the grid fill is, in itself, a thematic element, or at least a comment on the theme - a metathematic element, if you will. At least, I'm going to maintain that it is, because it makes me much happier about the finished product.

[regorr]

As many of you say - not too difficult.
Especially if, as I did, you spot the theme very early and are looking thereafter for confirmation. Spotted one hidden word about 10 or so clues in. Had to back-solve via "theme word" to find the last few clashing pairs. Prefer this type to ones where I stare at the completed grid for days and still fail to have a PDM.

[Philoctetes]

I am glad there was no outer addition, because that is what I really hate about the theme. Back to lonely grid staring on 4180 (having got over my intense grump at the solution to 4178 in the paper)

[borealis]

Hey, Philoctetes. Do a bit of grid-staring at the Dave Hennings response to 4178 on the listen with others blog <http://listenwithothers.com/> . That should overcome the grumps.

Agree with regorr about this one. Clues on the easy side? Maybe, but the ending raised a big grin, and isn’t that what the Listener is about? Some take a day, some two weeks, some forever, but the only ones you should complain of are the ones which are a slog for no reason. Make them all the same standard and you have a very limited audience. Liked this, Franc, but disappointed that only the cells were to be embellished!

[IainGrace]

Agree with Ruthrobin and thought some other comments a bit harsh. Took us a little time, especially in the top right of the grid. Agree it would be poor if this was the average standard for the year but sure it won't be. Also depends of course what one's standard is. Wouldn't like all Listeners to involve grid clashes throughout, translation into Sanskrit then origami folding to form the Eiffel Tower.........

[JackDeCrow]

Was also going to comment that most of the clues were not really what you expect from the Listener, but dr b's last entry has me chuckling. Like many others, it seems, 13a the last to go. And never been all that keen on the theme either!

[Mesnilpat]

What with one thing and another, I only started the puzzle late last evening. I thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle and did smile at the final embellishment. With no Listener to stare at, I may actually get some chores and gardening done again this week.

[IainGrace]

....and very amused by dr b's metathematic theory.

[the_heisman]

But are there not two separate ways of doing it?

[sunny-dave]

Done in a couple of hours tonight ...

[Staurologist]

I agree that we weren't given a mountain to climb here, but looking at the final grid made me chuckle, so thanks to Franc for that. And I'm all the way with Philoctetes--glad that the outer layer, which I have always found unpleasant, was omitted.

[Cruncher]

Like the_heisman am deeply concerned about the ambiguity concerning the embellishment here. Some close reacquaintance with the theme word might be required.
For all you grumps I recommend Radix's Gift Rush in the Magpie. Not an easy fill

[tramart]

Be assured, there is no ambiguity.

[Alan7777]

I hope you're right Tramart or I might not have the correct answer. Also I seem to have missed the South American misspelt or not. For me this was steady progress with an enjoyable (and hopefully correct) finish.

[teuchter2]

This was a good one for me as I was away all weekend and had to buy a paper, plus no access to BRB or any other of my vast collection of reference books. I got it mostly completed and finished on my return home with the PDM occurring in the middle of the night, unable to sleep following a large and late meal for Persian New Year! Don't ask. I found the crossword good fun. The end-product was a favourite of my late husband's especially the outer layer.

[Cruncher]

Zabadak - I think the dotted lines have something to do with the way the cells have been jammed into each other so as to fit within the confines of the grid

[cluelessJoe]

Good shout Cruncher (your earlier post) ... I recommended Radix's Gift Rush to a fellow 'board member' a couple of weeks ago. That quality of Magpie offering, alongside e.g. Shackleton's from last month, makes it well worth subscribing - and in the light of some of the weaker Listeners seen this year, almost obligatory.

http://www.piemag.com

[Rogue-Elfe]

You know, I have to agree with emcee, in more ways than one.
I got this completed and posted so quickly that I forgot to photocopy the blank grid beforehand. Whoops. I kinda collect them, you see.
Before I go subscribing to the Times Online, could I ask a teensy favour of anyone who can help me out here. Would someone be willing to email me a copy of the original grid, please?
I don't think I'll have any trouble with misuse from people using this site, but as absolutely anyone can view these threads I would prefer to give my email more securely to anyone who might be able to assist me here. Thanks all.

[Whenland]

Very quick grid fill except for the dreaded 13ac and no PDM until this morning which was thanks to Quinapalus' anagram solver. A most enjoyable offering - but we still can't work out 13ac.

[Cruncher]

Whenland - if you know what the amended version should be and what the theme word you should be able to back-solve it by working out which letters must have been discarded. Shouldn't leave you with too many options. It's all in the BRB