Spirit Level by Richy Craven
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If the five-star rating wasn't enough of a hint, let me tell you that I LOVED this debut by Richie Craven.
The novel is the perfect mix of wonderfully flawed characters, laugh-out-loud humour, finding oneself and magical realism. With the added bonus of it being a domestic story, with lots of familiar locations and a wonderful, if intangible, sense of Irishness about it. There's a serious undertone to the plot that thankfully keeps it from straying into ridiculous territory.
The main character Danny has his personal demons, and is less than happy to realise he has a literal ghost following him now too; one which he can only see when he is drunk. Cue all sorts of awkward situations, often hilarious.
Danny and Nudge have an easy relationship, and as a reader it's very easy - and fun - to get swept up their banter and slagging. As they try to figure out why Danny can see and communicate with Nudge's ghost, we get taken along on the paranormal journey. This type of plot absolutely requires a certain amount of belief suspension, but it's such a fun story that it never felt overdone. I mean, if you're willing to accept that Danny can see his dead bestie's ghost from the start of the story, you're going to have to go with the rest of the supernatural elements (see what I did there!?) that also crop up.
Fans of Damian Owen's "Duffy and Son" and "Leonard and Hungry Paul" by Ronán Hession should really enjoy this.
Rebecca
Rebecca is a teacher and mom of three who lives on a farm in Mid-Cork. She likes to think she brings warmth and wit to Another Chapter, and very much appreciates the space to talk incessantly about books. When she’s not corralling kids or helping with the cows, she’s diving deep into stories that make her swoon or sob. Whether it’s a heart-melting romance or a novel that leaves her emotionally wrecked, Rebecca's recommendations always hit the right spot for fans of love stories and tear-jerkers alike!
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is the book she wishes everyone else would read and love as much as she does.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, How to Build A Boat by Elaine Feeney and In Memoriam by Alice Winn are the books she would gift everyone.
Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor | Review
