The Unbearable Lightness of Being in Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth Noir #3

by Malcolm Pryce

There was nothing unusual about the barrel-organ man who walked into private detective Louie Knight's office. Apart from the fact that he had lost his memory. And his monkey was a former astronaut on the Welsh Space Programme. And he carried a suitcase that he was too terrified to open. And he wanted a murder investigated. The only thing unusual about that was, it took place a hundred years ago. And he needed it solved by the following week. Louie was too smart to take a case like that but also too broke to turn it down. Soon he is lost in a labyrinth of intrigue and terror, tormented at every turn by a gallery of mad nuns, gangsters and waifs and haunted by the loss of his girlfriend, Myfanwy, who disappeared one day after being fed drugged raspberry ripple In The Unbearable Lightness of Being in Aberystwyth Louie's hunt for Myfanwy takes him to the limits of his own endurance and brings him face-to-face with things no man should ever have to see

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Humor, Fantasy, Noir, Novels

259 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Malcolm Pryce is a British author, mostly known for his noir detective novels.

Born in Shrewsbury, England, Pryce moved at the age of nine to Aberystwyth, where he later attended Penglais Comprehensive School before leaving to do some travelling. After working in a variety of jobs. including BMW assembly-line worker in Germany, hotel washer-up, "the world's worst aluminium salesman", and deck hand on a yacht in Polynesia, Pryce became an advertising copywriter in London and Singapore. He is currently resident in Oxford.

Pryce writes in the style of Raymond Chandler, but his novels are incongruously set on the rainswept streets of an alternate universe version of the Welsh seaside resort and university town of Aberystwyth. The hero of the novels is Louie Knight, the best private detective in Aberystwyth (also the only private detective in Aberystwyth), who battles crime organised by the local Druids, investigates the strange case of the town's disappearing youths, and gets involved in its burgeoning film industry, which produces What The Butler Saw movies.

Reviews

[^ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon reaching the final page of this book; reeling from a lack of panache, precision and brevity I involuntarily blinked in relief at the blessed release from this “acorned swill of the world”. Contrived and convoluted description bearing none of the carefully constructed forethought, vision and elegance of the Welshman (D.M.T); “The Unbearable …” had worn my patience thinner than would have modelling strudel pastry starring on “The Great British Bake-Off”.

I do ‘get it’. I can see why a number of members of Goodreads have really enjoyed “The Unbearable Lightness…”. I expect they’ll go on to read and enjoy Dylan Thomas, Richard Brautigan, and to watch Ronnie Barker (at, for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0q-u_...) and to enjoy the sound of John Lennon’s lyrical drug-fuelled passage through the 1960s.

Fundamentally I really liked Malcolm Pryce’s wicked sense of humour. All I ask is that he should give me time and space to savour his work, rather than be swept off my feet as if by the truly ferocious storm force winds and waves which battered the seafront (and much more) at Aber’ this last winter; and which has given me the metaphor for both my experience of “The Unbearable …” and for Mr Pryce.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third in the Louie Knight series, desperate for cash Louie takes on the mysterious case of a missing monkey, but once involved the underworld of Aberystwyth is not prepared to let anyone know its secrets. When Louie’s love, Myfanwy, disappears it really becomes personal. A darker take on the Louie Knight series this time, but the Welsh humour also shines through.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the 3rd book in the Louie Knight/Aberystwyth Noir series, and to my mind it has improved. The long drawn out humour seems to have been replaced with character development. There is still plenty of wit and absurd situations, the humour has taken a darker twist, but rather than being a run of the mill Noir series of books they seem to merge into satire as well. There seems to be a lot going on in this book, and references are made to characters and exploits from the previous books. So for anyone picking this book up at random to read, I would urge you to read those other books first, they will fill in a lot of blanks which might otherwise leave you scratching your head.

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cut above the usual run of comedic Welsh crime noir.

[Howard Dickins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the characters and setting of this book.
The plot was however a bit odd, meandering, hard to follow. (Maybe because I'd jumped into book 3 of the series without becoming familiar with who's who or the events leading up to this book?)
The prose is inventive, funny and colourful - but sometimes, maybe inventive, funny and colourful in a way that gets in the way of the story.
It was fun, and full of good ideas. But it wasn't an easy read.
Ah well. I'm still glad I've read it.

[Mike Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've reviewed earlier books in the series and will gladly admit that the fact that I get a boost of nostalgia when reading about Aberystwyth is a huge part of the enjoyment I get from these books. However, I do enjoy Pryce's style - particularly his use of the unexpected and slightly humorous simile.

These books are easy to read, gentle fun and mildly amusing throughout.

[Hermien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is getting better every time.

[Allan Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a story (probably apocryphal) about Elizabeth Taylor’s umpteenth groom lamenting the prospect of his imminent wedding night with the thought: “I know what to do, the difficulty is, how do I make it interesting.”

A similar problem exists with Malcolm Pryce’s THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING IN ABERYSTWYTH. It’s his third foray into private investigator Louie Knight’s brooding strolls through the mean streets of the eponymous Welsh town. And it proves a case of ‘Been there, done that.”

If I’d read this before Last Tango in Aberystwyth I probably would have warmed to it much more. That book was a joyous introduction to Pryce’s outrageous fantasy world; it was a fresh, inventive, bizarre and a hugely funny original parody of the American crime novels of the 40s and 50s set, incongruously, in a place that must be the very antithesis of LA – the eternally Sunday-quiet and sleepily conservative seaside town on the west Wales coast.

Pryce has, understandably, sought to cash in on his dazzlingly innovative cocktail of Raymond Chandler and the Brothers’ Grimm meet Chapel-World. He populates Aberystwyth with improbable speakeasies, good-time gals, vicious hoods and hard-nosed cops. And his Humphrey Bogart protagonist, Knight, wisecracks his way effortlessly through the pages spraying similes like the indiscriminate bullets from a Tommy-gun. Who could blame Pryce for that? But, as clever and colourful as the initial idea was, this is a one-trick pony. A pony that wouldn’t be out of place among Eeyore’s tired and dispirited donkeys that traipse endlessly up and down the sands of Aberystwyth’s beach.

Ultimately, there is an unbearable lightness about this book. Maybe it’s time for Pryce to stop having Knight lick Sospan’s ice creams on the front and, just possibly, reverse the premise: perhaps he could now consider telling us a surreal tale of an Aberystwyth yokel, on his return from the “Patagonian War”, passing through and being bedazzled by the blinding neon lights and seductively swaying palms of Sunset Boulevard, as he seeks some comfort in the Sun-city’s only Welsh chapel.

It could even feature another monkey and an organ-grinder; different accents, of course.

[Tony Lawrence]

(retrospective review c.2009)

Some book series run and run, and get better, or possibly more predictable in a cozy sort of way. Ferinstance I am very much enjoying re-reading the Bond books, but I found this latest Louie Knight sometimes dull, sometimes confusing and frustrating. I think the Welsh noir genre, or which Pryce is the most famous* exponent, is looking a bit jaded. The complicated plot involves the disappearance of Knight’s love interest Myfanwy, the sinister Frankie Mephisto, his sidekick Brainbocs, odd goings-in at the Waifery, a ghost story, a lost astronaut monkey, an amnesiac barrel-organ player with an unopened suitcase, veterans from the Patagonian war (again), poisoned ice cream … etc. etc. You get the point, only slightly funny in places

*that is, the only exponent!

[Zareen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel in the Louie Knight series because it was a relaxing read. I found it a page turner like the 6th book in the series, The Day that Aberystwyth stood still.

I enjoyed its quirky dark humour but am unsure whether or not I will read more books in the series in the immediate future. I love Aberystwyth and am unsure whether I appreciate its history being subverted and distorted.

[Chris Howland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another outing for Louie Knight, Aberystwyth's only private investigator.
A complex, somewhat labyrinthine plot in the dark underworld of a Welsh seaside town is hard to follow at times. The number of characters who contribute to the storyline made this a slightly tough read.
Louie is still alive, and so is Calamity, his newly qualified sidekick, so onward to the next chapter!

[Calzean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an improvement over the past two, in that Louie takes on a case of a missing monkey then gets diverted when his girlfriend goes missing. Old and new characters surface, dry humour abound and the story is amusing. The ending goes back to the absurd but that is part and parcel of this series.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always enjoy the Aberystwyth Noir novels,but they always leave me drained!There is always so many different characters and plot lines weaving about,at times it’s difficult to keep up with what’s going on.
But definitely worth the effort.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard not to like this book but I can say it's not my favourite of the series so far.
That said, these books are intensely pleasing and I love the poetic style if writing that the author has. Worth readi g without a doubt .

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique trio of novels into an alternate Aberystwyth. There is a something for everyone, wth humor, action, colorful characters, philosophy, a dark and gritty underworld, and the perseverance of the Knight(s) Errant.

[Mike Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of the series and on a par with Book 2, a complicated, multi-layered story, with flashes of humour, but a very dark side. Oh and lots of shovel wielding. Louie really should get a hard hat!
The usual characters (suspects) are joined by some new, unusual ones, in a great story.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious fun. Not read any noir before so as a Welsh woman this was a great intro. Gripping stuff with as many twists as a bucket of lug worms.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these books. Witty and convoluted stories.
Not sure I completely get them, but brilliant fun.

[Rich Meyrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always find these books hard to read at the beginning, but they are always worth perseverance.

[Raphe Langdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters were very colourful. I didn't find the plot very gripping but I can imagine it's the sort of novel that appeals to a dedicated group of followers.

[D J Rout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average, but at least the conclusion made some sense.

[Iah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite like the noir style this is written in, it's made me want to read others in the style. However I haven't found the books funny, absurd yes enjoyable but not funny. That said I will read the next book.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Aberystwyth Noir series of mysteries. The plot takes second place to the author's take on traditional noir detective novels. I enjoy the similes and metaphors used by the author which are not to be taken seriously. I happen to know the town of Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast so the use of local place names also amuses me but you don't have to be a resident to appreciate the humour of these books.

[Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just wonderfully clever-silly Welsh noir, where every random incident and character neatly and cleverly gets tidied up into a very odd mystery by the end. Brilliant. I've read the first one of these Aberystwyth books, have the second kicking around although I'm not sure where. But I came across the third, it has a monkey on the cover and hey, how could I resist? I didn't feel as though it spoiled the reading experience, although it may spoil the second a wee bit. Having said that, I bet it'll be years before I come to reading the second one, at which point I'll have forgotten all of the finer details.

Louie Knight is our private eye of Aberystwyth and our narrator of this tale. He has an apprentice detective with him now, Calamity Jane (who else?) and some very odd cases coming up. An organ grinder who carries a suitcase he's terrified to open brings Knight a case - to solve a murder mystery over a hundred years old. He is accompanied by a monkey mother who speaks sign language and is looking for her missing son, Mr Bonjangles. Which in itself turns out to be a rather tragic story. Then there's the case of Knight's girlfriend, who seems to be trapped in some kind of catatonic state. She's kidnapped, so he also has to figure out who has taken her and why. Intermingled in this are all the characters you'd expect to find in a good old noir mystery, but with their own eccentric Welsh twists. Can't really fault it.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Unbearable Lightness is a well crafted book and an enjoyable read. Pryce’s alternative universe – Aberystwyth in geography, but socially kicked left out of kilter and filtered back through a noir and a nationalist parody – is fully worked through and engaging. The book is well plotted and paced, and it is clear time has been spent making sure the atmosphere is suitably noir, the similes are inventive, and the text lyrical. The story itself is meanders along a complex path and the twists are not telegraphed, which made a nice change to some crime fiction I’ve read recently. Like Jasper Fforde, Pryce’s books are nicely intertextual. In particular, I liked the Rimbaud character in this book (although he was underplayed in the plot). Rimbaud is a veteran of the Patagonia campaign – a doomed 1960s war in which the Welsh try to protect their diaspora brethren in Argentina – hassled unjustly by a bigoted local cop, he escapes into the local forestry commission land using his military skills to torment his pursuers. Indeed, the books are nicely intellectual without being pretentious.

[Karla Huebner]

I picked this up in Prague and finally got around to reading it. I gather that it's the third in a best-selling series, and while one can often jump into a series midway, this time I was really a bit baffled. Before long I did grasp that these are bizarre and comic noir novels set in a parallel-world version of Wales, but all the same I was often unsure whether I ought to know something from an earlier book in the series, didn't recognize a product or practice from British culture, or what. It's inventive, zany, and makes playful use of poetry, while at times sounding somewhat like a Dylan Thomas short story (the style is usually compared to Raymond Chandler's, but I'd say only if you mixed Chandler with Thomas and threw in Jasper Fforde to boot). I wasn't really satisfied with the book but it was strange and original enough that I'd like to try starting at the beginning of the series.

[John Carter McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pryce just keeps getting better and better. Definitely must be read in series order, and Pryce expands on characters and themes from his earlier novels.

In the previous book, Pryce deftly spun humor and horror; here he ups the stakes. The social commentary, on class and gender relations, and on the treatment of veterans, is stepped up, and some of the story developments are truly gut-wrenchingly horrific.

And yet, the deadpan absurdist humor remains, from small observations and turns of phrase to the main plot of the amnesiac with a veteran-astronaut organ grinder monkey needing a solution to a centuries-old murder as the clock ticks, and the ending beat of just what to do when your problem demands a miracle...

Myfanwy, as much in her absences as her presence, continues to become one of the great noir dames.

Un-put-downable, great stuff.

[Anastassia Dyubkova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Either I'm getting used to the weirdness of this Aberystwyth Noir series or every next book is really better than the previous one, I'm still not sure, but I truly enjoyed this one. Malcolm Pryce's stories are still strange but after the first two books it's easier to get in. The plot is a bit tangled but it is being developed nicely, and we have no loose ends in the final part. It's just clear that there will be another book following this one because the evil genius Brainbocs is still there.
The things that made me happy were some particular episodes, really beautifully written (well, in my opinion). The more books I read the more I like the the main character here.
And yes, Aberystwyth is still a good place to escape this cruel reality.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's sometime since I read the first in this series & I haven't read the second. To be honest I think that would have made a difference as this to me, seemed be a continuation of something I knew nothing about. Most of the time I hadn't a clue what was happening & who anyone was. I didn't understand what had gone on with Myfanwy, anyone who hasn't read the previous books would wonder at the odd reference to stove pipe hats & it was all made more muddling by the fact that every time I put it down the story seemed to be instantly forgettable! The only reason I persevered was that I wanted to know what had happened to Mr Bojangles - now that DID make me snort with amusement....