Crossword

‘10/17’ give the first three words of a statement (in ODQ) made by a famous 48/21. His works include 1A/23D (four words in total) and The 44. His forename is the remaining unclued light; the puzzle’s title suggests his surname. The fourth word (hyphened) of the statement will appear diagonally in the grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent.   Across 8    Reckless prince linked with hot spots (4) 11    A big bell?

A quotation (in ODQ), starting on the  appropriate side of the grid, runs clockwise around the perimeter. The other unclued entries (one of two words, one of three words), will show solvers the event being described, interrupted by some disposals. The original author of the quotation, found in anagrams in symmetrical answers, must be highlighted, as must the name in anagram form of the poet who wrote about the ‘event’. A first prize of £100, three prizes of £25 and six further prizes of The Penguin Book Quiz: From The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Ulysses by James Walton will be awarded for the first correct solutions opened. The first four winners will each also receive a bottle of champagne.

One clued solution (which solvers must highlight) can be linked with eleven unclued solutions, (one in the plural). Brewer confirms them all, even showing that two of them can be further linked as a trio, thematically too!   Across 5    Character in Eliot drama, also in the saga that inspired it (6) 9    Maladjusted, he sued aunt for speedy carelessness (10, two words) 16    Primrose, perhaps, taking drug Vi slung out? (6) 17    A great deal of gas over Germany (5, two words) 20    Composer brought to court for judgment (7) 22    Bullies orchestra terribly, having lost artist (7) 24    One ducking the issue?

The unclued lights (two of two words, one of which includes an apostrophe) are of a kind. Where alternative final letters occur, M and O are to be used, not T and I.   Across 11    Carpet salesman finished right at the front (7) 12    Rode at front, elevated as aid to driver (6, hyphened) 16    Superior meal, seconds not required (5) 19    Negative terminal coated roughly with touch of hydrochloric (7) 21    Look closely for perimeter of perimeter!

The unclued lights, including one of two words, comprise two adjectives and six  nouns. All share a common origin and are confirmed in Chambers.

Unclued lights, two of two words, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents.   Across 12    Second horn and nail defective, and with one fewer hole in the head (10) 13    Champion forgetting wife’s secret (5) 14    Online mention special interest — all these replies! (7) 15    Still on the phone maybe? (10) 16    Tricky to improve on car roof (7) 20    Old king put round fence (4) 22    Order is ‘Work!’ rejecting fuss (7) 23    Dowdy type, unfeminine, is cut (4) 24    Keep hold of mite in central custody (7, two words) 26    In ocean, what foreign tree?

The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as one pair, are of a kind.   Across 9    City call that reverberates (4) 11    A bouncer from evil European, reportedly (9, two words) 12    The Times with leaders only advocating German economic safeguards (4) 17    Explosive sounds of large swallows (5) 20    Petty quarrel – one with a student about room (7) 21    Scully’s partner hiding love for modeller?

Across unclued lights (one of two words) combine with down ones to suggest the surnames of four famous English painters; the puzzle’s title suggests the name of a fifth. The fifth letters of these names form STARS. Elsewhere, ignore three accents.

Unclued lights (one of two words) give an event, its organiser, some participants, its winners, and the prizes.   Across 1    Stamp hard — everyone notices (8) 8    Men caught by a great beast (4) 13    Men impressed to receive hired waistcoats (6) 14    Elephants’ cup final? (7, two words) 15    Most frightening decay, in a way (8) 18    Measure of alcohol upset, lacking such delicate control?

The unclued lights (two of two words) be paired and are linked by an anagram of the four letters in the yellow squares. Brewer verifies the theme.   Across 1    No stamp confused Pat. Could be him!

19 October marks a milestone (hinted at by 19/26/20) for a person whose real forenames are given by 1A (three words). The other unclued lights (including two of two words, one being a toponym) suggest the titles of four of his works while the puzzle’s title suggests the title of a fifth. His real surname is clued without definition and must be shaded.

7A can be linked to nine unclued lights (three of two words, one of which repeats 7A) – in five cases as a prefix, in four cases as a suffix.   Across 7 Fifth of November and no old penny for the guy (3) 11 Engineer’s ancient letter stored by British Library (6) 13 Directions to compel and ensure obedience (7) 15 Field football team, missing second half (5) 17 Move between vessels to facilitate requirements of port? (6) 18 Prophet found in cabin – a humble dwelling (5) 20 Swinging seventies and no vet available on border river (6) 21 Switch round inside, showing craft (5) 22 Half-dead in Texan mission – redoubt evacuated (7) 27 Impaled Pole, disfigured by depressions (7) 29 Many pieces of wood, shaped perhaps to last?