Solution to the November acrostic

"The unfortunate truth is, rudeness is the human condition. We modern humans are a bunch of grasping, self-involved jerks, same as generations of humans before us. It's just that there are suddenly fewer constraints on our graspy, self-involved jerkhood than ever before."

Amy Alkon, I see rude people

A. Adjutant
B. Minor fifth
C. Young Sheldon
D. Andrew Johnson
E. Lubitsch
F. Kissing off
G. Observant
H. No future
I. Islets of Langerhans
J. Sheriff
K. Eunice Kennedy Shriver
L. Eurostar
M. Redgraves
N. Under threat
O. Drum majorette
P. Enhancement
Q. Possessives
R. Ever so
S. Out West
T. Phantom
U. Labour head
V. Eau

Amy Alkon styles herself "The Advice Goddess" and has a very active daily blog.

Acrostic for November

The quote this month is from a syndicated columnist who offers relationship advice based on ev. psych.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4cv17v2zyphvdba/acrostic20.pdf?dl=0

Solution to the October acrostic

"Allen's attitude toward sex always managed to raise my Puritan hackles, and I suspect he knew it. Deep in my heart I still yearned for a monogamous relationship with Neal, but if it wasn't possible, perhaps this arrangement held possibilities hitherto unknown in conventional patterns."

Carolyn Cassady, Off The Road

A. Canterbury tales
B. A nod's as good as a wink
C. Rapid
D. Oil paint
E. Le Corbusier
F. Yellow peril
G. Natty Bumppo
H. Campanile
I. Alain
J. Saint Stephen
K. Swelter
L. At the hop
M. Dealt
N. You wish
O. Orpington
P. Foxhunting
Q. Fahrenheit
R. Taskmaster
S. Heaviside
T. Estaminet
U. Run with it
V. Own kisses sin
W. Amnestied
X. Disenthrallment

In the quote, "Allen" is of course the beat poet Allen Ginsberg, who had a loose homosexual relationship with Carolyn Cassady's famous husband Neal. Her title, "Off The Road", is a contrast to Jack Kerouac's classic "On The Road".

Acrostic for October

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bni89us9db5fvfe/acrostic13.pdf?dl=0

This slightly racy quote is from a woman reluctantly but bravely coping with her famous husband's bisexuality, somewhat rolling the eyes in a wifely way, I think.

Solution to the September acrostic

"The people in Europe all had new cars and watches. And green woods and forests. The labels on the clothes had been put on by who they claimed to be, not knocked off in China like ours. The girls were blond and wore short dresses, showing their legs."

Sebastian Faulks, Paris Echo

A. Speech
B. Elbow
C. Bad debt
D. Alpha Blondy
E. Southwest face
F. The kindness of strangers
G. Ingenue
H. Angel
I. No-hitter
J. Forgery
K. Ashdown
L. Underwear
M. Lockwood
N. Knotted
O. Showboat
P. Pina Pellicer
Q. Ash
R. Rest home
S. Indo-chinese
T. Shelled
U. E-News
V. Cloister
W. Hearth
X. On hold

The narrator of this quote is Tariq, an adolescent in Tangier who dreams of a better life in Europe. His adventures when he makes it to Paris are the backbone of this excellent story, weaving historical fact into the fictional lives of Tariq and the feminist historian he comes across.

Summer's all gone, welcome Autumn or Fall, whatever you call it. Look for a new puzzle in October.

Acrostic for September

This one is from a 2018 book that I really enjoyed.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rc7vanqcd1v6doi/acrostic15.pdf?dl=0

Solution to the August acrostic

"In the daily round, it no longer amazed me that I could pass the time of day with a manufactured human, or that it could wash the dishes and converse like anyone else. As Adam blossomed and made me rich, I had ceased to think about him."

Ian McEwan, Machines Like Me

A. Ithaca
B. Aldermaston marches
C. Need you
D. Mahatma
E. Cold duck
F. Eisteddfod
G. Wizened
H. Avonmouth
I. No dice
J. Mellors
K. Anne Hathaway
L. Cathouse
M. Humidor
N. In the south
O. Nothing to it
P. Epithet
Q. Salad Days
R. Liers
S. If...
T. Kindred
U. Euthanasia
V. Mammals
W. Ebbed

"Adam" is a human-appearing robot, who acts with impeccable logic but ultimately disastrous consequences. McEwan seems to be warning of the dangers of AI.