Small grouse

Constructor: Joe Krozel

Time: 23:34 (Google-aided; got incorrect signal after finishing w/o Google in 17:40; error was METISCI-TIT)

CrossWorld buzz: Pretty good, on balance.  A classic high variance puzz--the v. pretty asymmetrical grid noted by acme, the v. low word count, and the v. impressive interlocking stacks of 15s will produce v. high buzz for some.    For others of us, the kind of blah 15s--LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME and AVERAGE AMERICAN on top are pretty good, but RECAPITULATIONS, OVERESTIMATIONS, etc. are less than exciting--and the kind of nitty fill make this a subpar Friday puzz.   My personal buzz-ometer fell in the subpar category.   I wasn't bothered at all by the MINAS-MULETAS crossing that led Rex to rest his case--vaguely recall that MINAS GERAIS means General Mines, which I think is kind of a cool generic name for a state--maybe it'd be a good new name for Wyoming.   I was royally peeved by MENISCI-NIT, which slowed me up by about six minutes.  That led to my usual, "Don't create a Natick, Will--make one or both of the clues obvious!" reaction and then to a "Well, it is Friday and small grouse is kinda cute and so is my dumbness in not being able to shift mental field quickly..." counter-reaction.   Kinda believe in my and Rex's negative reax to this puzz, but think in the end that the really cool craft in it calls for a slightly positive overall buzz rating.

CrossOver buzz: Average.  Yep, real people are impressed by stacks, too, but there's just not much else for them in this puzz...not much sparkle in the long answers, and lots of hard slog in the fill.

Comments

[strona główna]

Very good written story. It will be valuable to everyone who utilizes it, as well as yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing - can'r wait to read more posts. strona główna

[Wayne]

Aah...this puzz really is a wow in terms of its craft...yep, I see the NW-SE axis symmetry as I look again...thanks much, MAS!

[Martin]

Just in case you haven't ready noted, Krozel's grid is actually symmetrical. Although it's a very rare form of crossword symmetry: being bilaterally symmetrical along one of its diagonal axes.

MAS