⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this book. I went into it expecting a few funny stories about making low-budget horror films, but I ended up getting so much more than that. Bruce Campbell has such a distinctive voice that it feels less like reading an autobiography and more like sitting in a pub while he tells story after story, each one somehow crazier than the last. His sense of humour comes through on every page, and even when he’s talking about difficult moments or failures, he never loses that self-deprecating charm.
One of my favourite things about the book is how honest it feels. Bruce doesn’t try to paint himself as some untouchable Hollywood star. Instead, he’s very open about the ridiculous situations he found himself in, the mistakes he made, and just how difficult it was to build a career. Reading about the early days making The Evil Dead was fascinating. I’ve seen plenty of documentaries about the film over the years, but hearing the stories directly from someone who lived through them adds a whole new layer. It’s amazing they managed to finish the film at all considering everything that went wrong.
Even if you’re already familiar with Bruce Campbell’s career, there were loads of little behind-the-scenes moments I’d never heard before. His friendships, especially with Sam Raimi, really shine throughout the book. You get a genuine sense of a group of ambitious friends who simply refused to give up, even when they had no money, no experience and every reason to quit. That’s probably what surprised me the most. Underneath all the jokes, it’s actually a really inspiring story about persistence and making the most of whatever opportunities come your way.
The writing itself is incredibly entertaining. Bruce has impeccable comic timing, and there were plenty of moments where I genuinely laughed out loud. He knows exactly when to exaggerate for comedic effect and when to let an absurd situation speak for itself. At the same time, the humour never feels forced. It sounds exactly like Bruce Campbell, which is probably why the whole book is so easy to get through. I kept telling myself I’d read one more chapter before bed and ended up reading several because I wanted to know what ridiculous disaster would happen next.
I also appreciated that the book isn’t just a list of celebrity encounters. There are stories about auditions, failed projects, television work, conventions and the strange realities of being one of those actors who is instantly recognisable to horror fans but not necessarily a household name. It’s a refreshing perspective because it’s not the typical Hollywood success story. Instead, it’s about carving out a career through hard work, adaptability and embracing the cult following that grew around him.
What really stood out was how much affection Bruce clearly has for the fans. He understands exactly why people love The Evil Dead films and never comes across as dismissive of the cult status they’ve achieved. Instead, he seems genuinely grateful that those films changed his life and continue to mean so much to people decades later.
By the time I finished the book, I felt like I’d learned a lot more about Bruce Campbell as a person rather than just as Ash Williams. He’s funny, determined, surprisingly reflective and willing to laugh at himself, which makes him an incredibly likeable narrator. Even if you’ve only seen a handful of his films, there’s plenty here to enjoy because it’s as much about chasing creative dreams as it is about making movies.
Overall, this is one of the most entertaining celebrity autobiographies I’ve read. It’s funny, engaging, surprisingly insightful and packed with fantastic behind-the-scenes stories. If you’re a fan of Bruce Campbell, Sam Raimi or cult horror films, it’s pretty much essential reading. Even if you’re not, it’s still a genuinely enjoyable memoir about perseverance, friendship and finding success in the most unlikely ways. An easy five stars from me.
Gareth Ellis - Author 