Men in Her Life by Raich

Puzzle explanation

The theme was the life and works of the writer George Eliot (1819–1880): real name Marian Evans. The indicated letters from clues spelt “Bray, Lewes, Cross, pen name for real name, titles of two books”. The first three are men associated with her. Solvers had then to substitute “George Eliot” for “Marian Evans”, to be found in the eleventh column. This allows Adam Bede to appear in the grid, as well as Silas Marner, all three to be highlighted.

Clue explanations

Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal

No Extra word/LL Answer Explanation
ACROSS
1 bionic PERCUSSION-LOCK US + S + ION in (PER + CLOCK)
10 R ASTRONAUT (TAUNTS + A + O(rdinary))*
11 A MANSE MiNiStEr & lit
13 Yearly LIRIPIPE LIE about (RI + PIP)
14 L SCLATE SCAT + E
15 E ALANINE A + LAN + IN
16 weather ENTHRONE EE about (N + NORTH*)
18 E AL DENTE (her)ALD + N(o)T
21 Special OSLO (SCHOOL – CH)*
22 criminal ICE DANCE (CAD + NIECE)*
25 rigorously READ READ(y)
28 orders DEX D + EX
29 stricken RAM RM about A
31 scenic NILE NIL + E
33 Proud ARTEFACT AFTER* + ACT
37 E EVADER V + A + DR
40 N ANEATH A + (H)EATH
41 N HECTORING EROTIC* in H(ambur)G
42 A MAGNESIA SME(ll)ING*
43 mention RHODY Homophone Roadie
44 E PRAISELESS SIR SLAPS*
45 face SKEW Two definitions
46 O MARLSTONE REALMS* around TN
47 ruler’s TYRANNICALNESS (RA + N) in INCESSANTLY*
Down
1 rambling PALAEOGRAPHIST PHALAROPES’ GAIT*
2 E RETRALLY RT + RALLY
3 A UNPAINTED NUDE* about PINT
4 L SAINTLY STAYIN(g)*
5 N SUPERINDUCE SUPER + (CLUE I’D – L)*
6 A ON-STREAM MENTORS*
7 Members’ NICHE Initial letters: needle … extend
8 E ONE-TO-ONE (p)ONTOON
9 tender KEGEL EXERCISES ((pea)CE-KEE(per) + ESSEX GIRL)*
12 initially SEND Hidden
17 T RITA Two definitions (RIA)
19 lovers’ DORM D(ream) OR (drea)M
20 E SCANT-O’GRACE CAN in ST + CARGO <
23 sacred CEP Hidden reversed
24 O MARO Two definitions (MAR); reference Virgil
26 fool BLUEGILL GULLIBLE*
27 Tolstoy NEVA Hidden
30 wicked CARRY-ON ’ARRY in CON
32 O MATELOTE MATE + LATE – A
34 begrudges TOCHER TOC H + ER
35 O EYOT TYE <
36 O TAMARAO Two definitions (TAMARA)
38 kneeling NERK N + RE < + K
39 S GODSON GO ON about D
Back to 2007 menu