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7A One may see through this notorious traitor (5)

_ U _ A _

19A Firs-rate joke (5) _ _ _ A _

8D Aspired to become a literary giant (7) _ E _ P _ I _

16D Sounds like conversation has a twist (6) T _ _ _ U _

20D Elegant female writer (3) _ E _

7 judas

1 judas

20. Pen.

19 crack if your a is wrong

16d Torque
sounds like talk

16 torque - sounds like talk

8d DESPAIR? novel

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despair_(novel)

DESPAIR (from Pilgrim's Progress - anagram "aspired")

Nice clue!

Chrisg, Zozozo, Rusty, Mattrom and Chrise

Many thanks to each and every one for those answers.

You're all very early risers, too!

Feeling a bit silly now, but grateful for your expertise.