E.v. 1097 Sunday Telegraph Enigmatic Variations: Distortion By Stick Insect

[jim360]

Various senses of Deja vu about this puzzle as both the theme and the distortion have appeared earlier this year (in an EV and the Listener Series respectively) . Lots of thematic stuff packed into the clues and the small grid, though, so thanks Stick Insect for an entertaining puzzle.

[dr b]

Not too difficult even for a non-fan, but quite surprised that the theme would be repeated in less than 6 months.

[Twit-Who]

.....and I'm definitely a non-fan!

[devadolly]

Hello! Finding it hard (maybe the brain has rotted due to salt spray) can't see any connections to previous EV's and am gutted that I missed the Harry Potter EV. Definately plodding.

[AHearer]

Fun, but the theme has been overworked and the grid was a bit small -- or perhaps it wasn't. I was a bit disappointed by the way the name appeared (He Tarzan, You Jane, perhaps?), but given the distortion I suppose it would have been hard to do it any other way.

[jim360]

I'm fairly gutted you missed it too dd!

[ziller]

Some hints scattered amongst the clue as well.

[devadolly]

Oh dear was it one of yours Jim? Sorry, had to make do with boat building instead!

[jim360]

It might have been... by no means a classic EV, but hopefully fun all the same.

The solving blog is up over at http://www.fifteensquared.net/2013/11/16/enigmatic-variations-1094-riddle-in-eight-parts-by-jaguar/ if you're interested.

[Christiana]

Hello all - behind somewhat but just about finished, though not sure of the wordplay on 22a and 6d as yet. Do we highlight the 'old character' do you suppose?
I'm off in a few minutes to spend three or four days with my youngest in Bedfordshire, which will make an enjoyable change if the weather doesn't cave in too much.

[x_word_fan]

Christiana - 22 is Peri's first + last 4 are (of course) a course can be a line - like you I am at a loss with 6d

[Shoni70]

Fully completed except for 6 down. Can any one explain to me please the reasoning for the answer here. I have failed to see any references of how to arrive at the answer. Thank you in advance.

[dr b]

First word of clue "cut", so lose the last letter. One letter abbreviation for the country. Answer is a unit of length.

[dr b]

Actually answer is *plural* of a unit of length, so if you turn 2 of those units and 10,500 hands, both into inches you will see that the math works.

[Christiana]

Thanks for the explanation of word play, x word fan, in 22a and dr b for the clear explanation of the definition part of 6d. It was actually the definition, rather than the word play, that I was puzzling over, even though I'd identified the letter change.