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Listener 4078: The Fragmentation of Reality by Lavatch

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Zabadak | 18:10 Fri 19th Mar 2010 | Crosswords
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This one's a gem: don't be put off by the complex instructions or that fearsome 65,536 possible combinations: It all comes out well in the end. Good, fair clues, some lovely PDM's, and a satisfying final resolution. And I learned some stuff that I didn't know (to my shame) about the main theme. I especially liked the character that needs to be ringed - thats a doozy that I've not seen used before: does anyone know of an instance?
I'm also interested to know whether the title has a particular reference to the subject: I can find one isolated connection, but a fair bit in the general vicinity.
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I agree, this is a gem. I enjoyed every minute of it, but am still trying to link the title more precisely to the theme - but I can wait for that moment to arrive.
The "ringing" is certainly a new one on me. Cannot recall seeing it in the past 10 years of Listener solving.
I agree - very enjoyable. Despite watching sport relief (hilarious Smithy sketch) and the now empty bottle of wine, I am amazed at how you raced through this one Zabadak. Hats off, as I thought this was tricky in places and a theme that was new to me too (in relation to its later connections). There is one final piece that eludes me that can wait until tomorrow.
Another enjoyable puzzle from Lavatch, with a theme which I've always avoided -- after reading about it (thank you, Google) maybe I'll give it a go. I wonder if the puzzle title is a reference to the effect named after one of the hidden titles? At the moment I've got the 65536 down to two: I'll pause for some coffee.
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I think that's a good call, AHearer - I wasn't aware of the Effect, but although there's no direct citation of the puzzle title that I can find, it's clearly in the same ballpark. This is definitely one of those puzzles where you learn stuff!
I may be at the same point as AHearer - 2 possibilities remain - where to place one set of 7-letter group B answers? I assume that the correct choice will reveal the second title, which I've yet to spot. I'll put it down for a while and see any pennies drop later.
Me three
look up group A in wikipedia to give you the group B possibilities and then the penny should drop. My late night dilemma actually was more obvious than I was trying to make it
Us four....
We five...
I think I might be onto something, as I have found a fairly well ringed character. Still not sure about the second title though.
clink.
Just spent most of the afternoon staring at the same last two options and the penny has finally dropped. Sneaky!
I am astounded at Zabadak's speed in solving this one. I have spent a few hours on it and am 'more or less' there but, like several others, wondering about the placing of one set of 7 and the second title, also how to 'ring'. Indeed, that figure of 65,536 was daunting and I haven't avoided the theme - I was simply totally ignorant of it.
I was just at Ruthrobin's stage and about to leave it for the night when the penny dropped and the second theme revealed itself. Very clever and most enjoyable - an excellent subject too!
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Just lucky, I guess: once the A clues were resolved with only one recognisable outcome, both thematic titles were apparent enough to ring bells, confirmed by Wiki. As mentioned above, spotting the ringed character was a particularly delightful moment, and I felt the way in which the B clues interacted was especially clever. Check Wiki for the full set of thematic elements.
Penny dropped! I'm delighted, and even I had heard of that!
For me this was the puzzle of the year so far - thanks Lavatch.
This pseudonym was appropriate for a couple of the clues which tickled my
schoolboy sense of humour. "It's no use standing on the seat........":-)
I'm quietly kicking myself. I was trying to use the S as a Roman numeral for that purpose, and of course it wasn't helping. Very pretty!
I think we have seen something like this before... but brain is so burnt out that it might take a few days to surface!
Am enjoying this. I particularly liked the camouflage of the second theme. Still have the NW corner and the group C elements to do. I think quite a few more pdms are required - have spent ages staring at group C but can't see any of the elements even though I have printed them from wiki. Perhaps a cup of tea will help.

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Listener 4078: The Fragmentation of Reality by Lavatch

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