ALP

Oof, I've not read it for an age. I do remember quite liking it/them, albeit not in a Magus way. Experimental, for sure. But then he was. His memoirs are worth a read too, I'd say. Fascinating, complicated chap. He claimed to think in French and I've never quite understood what he meant by that!

Oh blimey, you've got treats aplenty then. Daniel Martin, for one (Nicholas Urfe grows up, essentially). And The Tree – his own personal favourite. Probably skip Mantissa though!

Fowles disliked Amis intensely. I suspect the feeling was mutual!

One of the greatest writers of the 20th century. It pains me to say it but perhaps the looming Mendes production of The Magus might rekindle some interest. Way more readable than Tolstoy; way smarter than James. Grafton had – by far – the best covers too. Korab's Marionette has never been bettered.

An uber-Light with sport, Glasto and sitcoms. 1a could only be one of his! Blogged @ bigdave44.com/2025/08/07/toughie-3401
Absolutely Fabulous and another sitcom ... Not Going Out? (4,4,7)
So what wood goes on bridge, at intervals? (3,4)
Renault reversing with a new container in the boot? (6)

Ha, outrageous! He wasn't just (a) Hotstepper, you know..

A tuneful number from Kcit that, oddly, I found tricky to illustrate musically. Expect Ini Kamoze, nonetheless. Blogged @ bigdave44.com/2025/07/31/toughie-3401
Oratorio role? Singer out, injured (9)
Hard work to include a line in vocal music (7)
Piano recital's opening - avoid piece by Chopin? (7)

Ha, I KNEW it must have been. Good man! You win 5-0.

Can this really not have been done yet?!
I win as manager, again! (6,7)

Ha! Nerds? How dare you!!

To be honest, the surface irks me more than the indicator. But yes, "must" is a proper turn-off. Shocking. That said, I wouldn't totally rule out using it ... if needs must. I am nothing if not a total hypocrite!

Who's used game today? I applaud your Ximness but if you can't beat them and all that. I still think "must" is the only anagram indicator that really gets my goat!

Why the devil not? As in prepared, I guess. It's certainly been used a few times. No dodgier than, say, "easy". As you know, pretty much anything goes these days!

Haha. It is and was, mind! But no, don't do that. Certainly not as Weatherman! You'd have Tunbridge Wells up in arms!! Och, words are just building blocks are far as I'm concerned. As long the surface isn't sneery, most (but obvs not all) words that one sees in print are fair game, I reckon.

I certainly took it as a righteous dig, but I'm not sure anyone else on BD did! He has quite a few fans over there it seems..

Och, it's fine!

Beam’s back in the Tel. Gentle anagrams – 0; less gentle synonyms – tons. Blogged @ bigdave44.com/2025/07/24/toughie-3401
Expect Rainbow and Lloyd Cole.
Carefree woman coming out live (8)
Good deal: reduced money for rubber (7)
Dispute from detective in criminal stretch (10)

I guess it rather depends on who's saying it. In the Guardian, PC and woke probably aren't derogatory. In the Mail, however ...

Good man!!

Ha, there's nothing (to my mind, anyroad) that a strategic QM can't fix!

In truth, I perversely look forward to a solver having a pop on the grounds that they're PC but not woke, or vice versa!

Yes, I can see there's possibly a subtle difference. Chambers no help, Collins more so. Still sound similar to me!

"woke ... very aware of social and political unfairness"

"politically correct ... extremely careful not to offend or upset any group of people in society who have a disadvantage ..."

Ha, I get slaughtered every time I pad up mate!

Well, that is true. But, as you know, I think pretty much anything goes in a crossword. Words to live – and often die! – by.

Ha, you're no fun! I have though. Sheesh..

So synonymous, no? I just cannot see any real distinction. But I'm forever being tutted at for conflating the two. Only in crosswords, obvs!

I keep getting told that "woke" and "PC" aren't synonymous but I've yet to hear a convincing distinction. Can anyone poss assist, please? I'm preparing myself to be persuaded/disappointed!

That deserves to be a clue, surely ... how many letters?!

I do think the BBC are in sore need of sound legal advice and a crash course in crisis management, mind. You available?!

Ha, we both seem to using the Mail as source material. That way madness lies!