Listener 3940 Curry

[offramp_t]

I can hardly get off the ground on this one; I've not encountered a puzzle of this style before.
Any chance of a leg up with some answers? These ones would be useful:

8D Are pirates regularly plundered when ramping ropy thesps? (6)

9D Cait as balance for Gerry's below Virginia in Twister? (11)

10D Boost for the environment cultivated in healthy sanguineous scar (11)

[cruciverbali]

ingenues ----> ensuing is correct.

Just 7 answers are jumbled, and their entries must be modified to provide real words, enabling a thematic name to appear. The remaining clues each provide a letter towards a reference in a very famous book. I don't think this is too obscure by Listener standards, but this is certainly a fairly intricate puzzle !

Cruciverbalist

PS Do let me know if you need any more specific hints

[mad max]

22d spinel (spine+l) n from sonnet (stone)

[mad max]

22d spinel (spine+l) n from sonnet = stone mm

[mad max]

22d spinel (spine+l) n from sonnet (stone) mm

[eddery]

Getting there ... Only 1&6 A and 2D through 6D need to be jumbled. I have the reference but can't suss the substitution - any hints. Also don't have 1 across if anyone feels kind. In case it helps, think 2D is cusped but can't find a real word jumble which fits - or might that happen AFTER the change(s) as preamble seems to suggest.

[Quizmonkey]

I know I'm opening myself up to the usual 'flames' but can I repeat the usual plea that the Listener is not discussed on this forum? The main reason being the 'annual records' element of this particular puzzle - and even if AB questioners do not take part, the fact that clues are openly discussed and answered affects, and makes a mockery of, the results (as has already clearly been done this week).

Moreover, any hint of collusion results in solvers being instantly disqualified - that's how seriously this is taken. Incidentally, I have nothing to do with these rules, just quoting them...

[dr john]

No, QM, I agree entirely. I'm currently struggling towards completion of 3940 (without, I'm glad to say, having needed any of the hints given above). I'd have been annoyed if someone had given the whole game away, and doubly so if I were in the running for an annual place (I don't do the numerical ones so I never will be).

[cruciverbali]

I'm sure no-one will mind if I give eddery a gentle hint to 1 across, notwithstanding other sensibilities. Please turn away now if you do not wish to see the score.

For discharge, think electricity, for senility, an obsolete (hence past) word is required.

C

[Quizmonkey]

Cruci, with all respect - re your "I'm sure no-one will mind..." - that's the whole point: Listener setters AND solvers do mind. As soon as Listener answers are in the public domain before the closing date, that week's puzzle is, in effect, annulled for the organisers. The Listener tests individuals' success at solving: this thread means that solvers may be entering who would never have completed this week's puzzle otherwise - and the final statistics will therefore be totally flawed.

[dr john]

What he said.

[mad max]

I'm really sorry if I have upset some people on this site, I won't post anything re listener again.
thanks to all those who have helped me in the past mm

[Quizmonkey]

No hard feelings Max - you were not to know. And thank you for the civility of your response: I've had some heated posts before when I've tried to point out the reasons for the Listener embargo!

[Quizmonster]

I disagree totally with Quizmonkey and Dr John on this nonsense about the sacrosanctity of the Listener crossword. If it's OK to divulge the answers to prize crosswords such as the Azed, Mephisto, Genius etc - or even the Sun or News of the World - why should anyone other than those directly involved care about the 'Winners' League' aspect of the Listener?
Every correct Azed grid submitted that is correct solely because someone here on AnswerBank has provided answers reduces my chances of winning the prize with a grid completed off my own bat. If nobody gives a good goldarn about that why should I give one about the Listener contestants?
Apart from anything else, what evidence do these people have that a winner seemingly called 'John Smith' isn't a commonroomful of Cambridge dons or a towerful of Air Traffic Controllers or whatever? It's nonsense and I hope everyone here goes on taking the attitude..."Publish and be damned!"

[Quizmonster]

I should have added above that every Listener-related query I have seen here on AnswerBank, like the current thread, is quite clearly just that...a Listener related query. If you don't want to read such things, just don't click into the thread!

[eddery]

Thanks Cruci for your gentle hint above ... just enough for a nudge in the right direction, still took me some time. As for the conflicting opinions, I apologise if I have offended anyone by ever requesting or offering help re the Listener - did not realise there were such raw nerves out there. However, I have to come down in favour of the exchange of ideas / hints ... I'm a great believer in the TV remote control / on/off switch - if you don't like it, don't watch. I suspect that most partaking here will only resort to seeking help having exhausted much time and effort in trying to help themselves - there is after all some pride at stake, and yes it is stepping down a peg to admit that assistance would be welcome. As Quizmonster so correctly observes, not all of the Listener contestants will be one-man bands. Those of us not fortunate enough to have an extra brain to pick at home do occasionally welcome the opportunity to find a helping hand elsewhere. Let's face it, this crossword is a great institution, but let's not spoil the enjoyment by bickering over its sanctity - if these threads are not for you, then maybe you don't need to be reading them?