Hal David once suggested that the world requires affection, tender affection. This sentiment might be modified by modern fiction enthusiasts to imply that there’s also a need for lively humour and quality jests. Esteemed authors such as Paul Howard, Marian Keyes and Roddy Doyle have excelled in weaving humour into their narratives, a skill that anyone who’s participated in a comedy gig would agree is no mean achievement.
In his first published work, Richy Craven may not completely replicate the prowess of these esteemed writers, but he sure does a commendable attempt. His main character, in his twenties, is Danny Hook, a second-in-command at a local shop, who finds scant satisfaction in both his love life and career. A bed decision during a night out sees him jumping into a car with his inebriated mate, Nudge, an encounter that ends with them at the bottom of the Grand Canal, with only one emerging alive.
Such a premise might not ordinarily serve as the foundation of a hilarious narrative, but things shift dramatically as Nudge’s ghost starts making periodic appearances in Danny’s life. Trapped in the afterlife and seemingly linked to his friend, the confused apparition solicits Danny’s help in determining the path to the next realm.
Their interaction with various spiritualists is humorous, albeit with a noticeable resemblance to Whoopi Goldberg’s Oda Mae Brown in their duplicitous mannerisms. The chats between the two friends provide a steady stream of entertainment. Craven effectively portrays Danny as a pleasant principal character, though the requirement for Danny to consume large amounts of whiskey to communicate with Nudge is a bit burdensome on the narrative. Having a better method to evoke the ghost other than through alcoholic beverages might have been a preferable choice. Moreover, the plot mildly derails with the resurrection of an ancient pub-goer bringing a touch of unwarranted negativity to the narrative, and then as more apparitions start to surface, the storyline struggles with maintaining a sense of believability.
Nonetheless, Spirit Level does not claim to be anything more than it is, thus perhaps it’s unfair to expect logical consistency. It’s a light and enjoyable read, sporadically silly but providing adequate amusement to keep readers engaged.