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100% Cockie

Worked for me. Think Prodigal Son

I’m all done, but can’t parse 11a or 31d.

I think 11a is the first two letters plus the missing one giving ‘Balanced’. ‘Extremely studious’ gives the next two letters, and the last three words in the clue are the definition. Beyond that I just can’t see it. 31d even less so, other than the definition.

11a - you're almost there, single letter abbreviation for number 'penned' by an oddly spelt bore

31d - I'm pretty uncertain too, except that it makes use of one of the definitions of 11

And this is my chance to say thanks Tringa for a very enjoyable puzzle

Re 31d. Placing a reversal of 'on' around the answer to 31d. gives another word for the answer to 11a.

Thanks both - now makes perfect sense, as always!

Would definitely have been better if we had to write the title of the example work underneath to ensure completeness.

Thanks both - now makes perfect sense, as always!

Would definitely have been better if we had to write the title of the example work underneath to ensure completeness.

It seems strange to me, and very un-Listener like, not to have to write the title of the work under the grid. Sorting out the A,B,C & D's was, for me, more fun and satisfying than the actual grid fill and naming the work shows a complete understanding of the puzzle - and getting there was more pleasurable than my frequent bouts of extended grid staring.

I spent hours on this!
1a was my downfall. I was sure it was a B clue, yielding an L. It isn't.
Later, I failed to see that this little word has two very different definitions.

Thanks woodlouse

As a result of your help have now cracked two of the three. 17a still eludes me. Any kind soul willing to give me a further hint? The grid is then finished and I can have a bash at sorting. it's obviously a compelling puzzle.

William, as previously stated the first two words are the definition, it is an "A" clue and Newton isn't referring to the person. The wordplay leads to a simple four letter word for solved minus a letter