Listener 4129, Letters Lament by Tangram

[dr b]

Greetings fellow Listenerites,

This should be a week free of controversy, I think. A nice solid puzzle, with the three different types of clues keeping things interesting. The two thematic grid treatments were a nice touch.

[BlackHugh]

I am in the slow-lane too. Only completed it at breakfast this morning and I didn't have the excuse of starting late either. I was severely held up by failing to properly read the preamble (again) and I spent a long time over the last 2 down clues. Anyway it is sent now - together with my statistics request.

[mullingar]

I'm stuck! I have most of it and the quotation and author but cannot fathom 17ac (the only word I can get to fit has nothing to do with rabbits!)and 26 ac (though I have a word here which may fit with what I take to be the definition -but cannot get any wordplay) I'm also struggling with23 down and 27 down 29 down and 31 down. I've stared and I've stared and now I've surrendered. I plead for assistance

[Clamzy]

Mullingar - It's difficult to give hints to those particular clues on here without being too obvious. If you're still stuck I think you have my address [email protected]

[easterfool]

All done and dusted apart from understanding why 18Ac is as it seems. Type seems clear, think I see how it fits to the clue but the final step defeats me. Not happy about 20Ac either, more in the cluing there - definition is unclear, though I think that the wordplay works OK.
Everything has to tie in with the quotation so I must have the right ideas, but I hate having little niggling queries in my mind.

Still sort of finished before the next one comes out - enjoyed this. Roll on tomorrow - not near a printer today!

[Jogler]

Settled down to finishing this off today as rear rear gunners and had a nice little pdm. At least there is a chance to catch our breath, have a cuppa and catch up with the thread (even if we are probably talking to an empty room!) before embarking on the next!

[Philoctetes]

The room is never empty.

[IainGrace]

Finished. Is it absolutely clear from the rubric that one leaves the final two answers as they appear in the grid - that being the further treatment they have undergone - as opposed to further treating them by letter substitution in order to demonstrate one's full understanding of what is going on?

[Eril]

Didn't do any substitutions - but then didn't spot that one might justifiably make some. It's been sent, so hopefully you are taking it too deep Iain!

[logophile]

Agree with others that it was a mistake to indicate the LL clues so blatantly. 18a isn't a headword in C Easterfool, but is clearly defined just over halfway down the closely related entry. I agree with you that 20a definition is also dodgy, but overall a nice puzzle, thanks Tangram !