EV 1022 Protagonist by Salamanca

[Twit-Who]

This was far too easy for EV standards. Finished before breakfast! So disappointed as I love to savour this puzzle until at least lunch time. At least it might serve to encourage newcomers I suppose.

[kayakamina]

I agree that it was not up to the level we expect of EV and was the fastest grid fill ever.
On top of having no Spectator this week & an easier than some Inquisitor yesterday, it's been a disappointing couple of days for me.

If it does attract newcomers it will have served a purpose as it's always nice to see new names on the thread.

[AndrewG-S]

Yup my quickest ever too. Just over 15 mins. Idea was fine but way to many of the clues were far to easy. At least a break after the tough listener this week.

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
I quite agree, this was straightforward, but an interesting protagonist!

[devadolly]

Must be easy..............I finished it in double-quick time, minutes rather than days! Hope it does encourage new D & Cer's. What to do now......?

[fourpence4]

I must admit that this is the first EV I have completed in one day without any assistance from any of your regular contributors. Quite pleased with myself! Time for a celebration glass of something!

[kayakamina]

Well done fourpence & welcome to the EV thread.

[DocHH]

I echo Kayakamina's sentiments fourpence4!

[novalis]

Hi Everybody!

Echo all the comments. Fastest ever EV for me as well but I still had last week's in reserve ( Not looked at because of work ) so had something to occupy me.
As others have said, welcome to the "madhouse" Fourpence4.

[dr b]

This one went down quicker than a Barcelona striker in the penalty box. And isn't one of the descriptions just a subset of one of the others? Our protagonist was enough of a polymath that several other descriptions leap to mind. And the numbering gremlins struck at 19a (in my online version at least). Grumble, grumble. Oh well, this leaves a sunny Sunday free.

[DocHH]

dr b, the on-line version reflected the numbering gremlin in the paper version! Not a problem where ther are no letters omitted from grid entries, but if there were it would be a problem! Is it time to start a petition to remove the Puzzle Editor from office? I'd agree about the sub-set description, nevertheless a very interesting person!
Rainy here, but am heading south on thursday, to sunnier climes. Apologies for absence for the next two EVs. Am going armed with a book containing around 200 Telegraph Cryptic Crosswords, from across the years. It's interesting to see how time warped some of the clues/answers are now, and how the cryptic element has evolved!

[devadolly]

Welcome 4pence, hope to hear from you regularly.
Have a good hol DocHH! Anywhere nice?

[DocHH]

Hopefully Devadolly, we are going to Boa Vista in the Cape Verde Islands, we went to Sal last year and enjoyed ourselves! Will have to start thinking about our November holiday soon! Last year it was Jamaica. I guess I'll soon have to exchange whisky for rum!

[Christiana]

Hello all. Ditto previous comments. Like Novalis time pressures prevented me looking at last week's EV - so now I've got plenty of time to have a go at it.

Enjoy your holiday DocHH.

[ringer]

Agree wholeheartedly with the above comments. Haven't the gremlins also hit at 45a? Welcome to fourpence4! DocHH - have a brilliant time. Inspired by a brief respite in the weather yesterday to attend to the garden. Unfortunately gremlins also hit my back - now waiting to see my chiropractor. Btw fountain pen & notebook arrived last week :-)

[gen2]

I would have liked it better without 1across telling me the name of the protagonist. I would rather have had to work it out from later answers.

. . . and yes ringer, gremlins at 45a in my paper copy as well.

[novalis]

DocHH - enjoy your holiday.
Ringer - belated congratulations on your win.

[Christiana]

Ringer, belated congratulations from me too. Gen2 I totally agree. It was such an easy first clue, too.

[devadolly]

Mny congrats ringer...........how does everyone know you won??

[ringer]

ty for all the congrats - dd - I think the fountain pen is a clue!

[devadolly]

Whoops!