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? (7)
25 Indian’s rejected fine material (5)
28 Food RAF distributed where mountain bikes go (7, hyphened)
31 Reserve permit for manual (7)
33 Bitter, perhaps, about job as spoon-embellisher? (7)
37 Berth or place with parking (5, two words)
41 Makes an illegal entry fixing spring inside locks (10)
42 Fine wordplay is hard (6)
Down
1 Have a house-warming? Bully! (13, four words)
2 Poor Adelaide led away as a nymph (5)
3 Must directions get Dot confused? (6, two words)
4 Drops behind, touring old African city (5)
6 Fellow with leading information relating to whole class (7)
7 Lacking energy, cat is given running water (6)
10 School head votes to change heating appliances (6)
12 Constituents in seat repeatedly accepting PM’s direction (13, two hyphens)
13 Domestic’s browser button guide? (8, two words)
15 New to green part of Manchester (7)
19 All quiet in a dump — that’s what Masefield asked for (9, three words)
21 Competes, but is inclined to join fiddle (8)
23 Agent having imbibed upset drink is bad-tempered (7)
27 Unfashionable leases for retail shops (7)
30 Having that valuable silent quality? (6)
32 Sexually excited male inhibited by nagging (6, two words)
34 African expresses disapproval over Indian leader (5)
35 Having progressed...
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in