“Pencil Boxes” - by Patrick Berry - WSJ, 11/25/23

[ChrisKochmanski]

Another Berry beauty!

How does he construct these things?

[Nino]

Just finished.

To quote Patrick Berry, I “had trouble solving”.

It was down to the last 8 letters in rows 14 and 15. Then it was down to the last 4 letters in each. Did others have similar experiences?

[Richard B.]

It was down to the last 8 letters in rows 14 and 15. Then it was down to the last 4 letters in each. Did others have similar experiences?

Top left was last in for me. Had to solve the “meta” before the first entries of rows 1 and 2 fell.

[Wendy Walker]

Yes, I had trouble with the top left as well, and finished the bottom half first. Getting the meta helped me to solve a good portion of the grid. What a fun puzzle!

[DavyGravy]

My favorite Patrick Berry variety puzzles are these box puzzles. I'm excited to tackle this one! I’ll let you know how it goes.

[Meg]

Just finished.

To quote Patrick Berry, I “had trouble solving”.

It was down to the last 8 letters in rows 14 and 15. Then it was down to the last 4 letters in each. Did others have similar experiences?

My experience exactly. Finally, it clicked. Gotta love that PB!

[DavyGravy]

Wow this one is tough. I may have to google some of these

[iggystan]

Another great PB puzzle, with a terrible Dad joke to boot! (JK, Patrick.)

It's funny that the book I am currently reading gave me the answer to the first row first clue; I knew the expression, but seeing it recently helped a lot. The book? The latest weird adventure from the twisted mind of Chuck Palahnuik. I don't love all of his books, but I have read quite a few.

[DavyGravy]

I finally finished. As an afficianido of dad jokes, I guessed this would be the answer. Brilliant puzzle as always

[KayW]

Just finished.

To quote Patrick Berry, I “had trouble solving”.

It was down to the last 8 letters in rows 14 and 15. Then it was down to the last 4 letters in each. Did others have similar experiences?

My experience exactly. Finally, it clicked. Gotta love that PB!

Finally got to this one this morning. Always love a PB variety puzzle!

Where I “had trouble solving” was due to ambiguity in the last two entries of row 10 and not having the correct answer to the middle clue in row 11. Never heard of “hot” or “cold” in conjunction with that particular tool. And was exceptionally dense about the answer to the relevant pencil box. I knew there was punny business due to the question mark but kept thinking “servant”
The middle term in row 12 was also new to me. So this puzzle was quite educational as well as fun.

[JaneGummy]

My first time doing one of these variety puzzles, wow! So incredibly creative! It took me forever and I had to reprint the puzzle a few times but very satisfying and fun.

[Bird Lives]

I didn't dare do this one in pen till I was more than halfway finished. As with many other PB puzzles, I can't imagine how anyone can construct one of these.

[hcbirker]

Wonderful puzzle! Took awhile.