Perplexed By Guardian

[olegrahl]

Since I only barely understand the instructions maybe it isn't surprising I'm seven answers short. How do you parse 5a? It has the relevant 5d element but seems to have no connection to the clue. There must be scores of possible answers to 13a. Help wth 1a
Force a writer to absorb Republican material (5)
would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

[legin7]

Fabric F (Force) (a writer) A Bic holding R (Republican)

[legin7]

Re 5a Tribute, attempts is Tries with a But in the middle. Hence Bute, hope that helps.

[scorpiojo]

13a Do(in)gs

[davidas]

Sorry to, as it were, butt in - I get the tries Bute but - that means there's no solution and the island connection is tenuous to put it mildly. Unless I have got this wrong - I think that is RUBBISH - not a crossword - a guessing game.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with you on this one Davidas , a bit of a vanity exercise by the setter - they all do them from time to time.

[xxyyzz]

In defence of the setter, the special instructions do say "Five across and eight down solutions involve, wholly or in part, some of 5 down and lack any further definition".
In 5a Bute is one of those isles that are there in the solution in part.
Note too that 5d specifies 'Isles' not 'Islands' which cuts down the possibilities quite a bit.