Patti Varol makes a charming return.
Jump to: Today’s Theme | Tricky Clues
MONDAY PUZZLE — I can’t help but notice that, for all the thrill of science fiction stories about evil twins, violent clones and spooky parallel dimensions, most real-world examples of duplication are fairly benign. What’s so scary about identical twins (not counting the Grady sisters from “The Shining”)?
Today’s crossword, constructed by Patti Varol, plays on one such instance of lighthearted repetition in language itself. Once you’ve solved it, pass it along to a friend — it’s a puzzle so nice it’s worth solving twice.
This is Ms. Varol’s solo debut in The New York Times. Her first puzzle, constructed in collaboration with Doug Peterson, appeared in December 2020. I look forward to seeing where she takes us next!
Today’s Theme
The entries at 17-, 24-, 32-, 45- and 51-Across share a feature that’s hinted at in 63-Across: To [Turn around and return] is to DOUBLE BACK. Read this expression as a noun and you’ll see what the themed entries have in common: “backs” that contain double syllables.
The [Girl of classic comics who sported ringlets and a red outfit], for instance, was LITTLE LULU (17A). If something is [Entertaining, as opposed to disturbing] you might refer to it as FUNNY HA-HA (32A). And you don’t have to be a “Little Monster” to know that LADY GAGA (51A) is the [“A Star Is Born” co-star (2018)] in question, opposite Bradley Cooper.
We are having trouble retrieving the article content.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
Thank you for your patience while we verify access.
Already a subscriber? Log in.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
