autobiography

Bruce Campbell’s ‘Hail to the Chin’ was book forty-two of 2023.

I must have miscounted somewhere because I thought this was book forty-one! But it’s good to know I’m closer to my goal, even if I’m unlikely to reach it. (I set myself a target of forty-five books this year.)

I had listened to and loved his first autobiography, ‘If Chins Could Kill’. ‘Hail to the Chin’ follows where that book ended and explores the actor’s later career. As with Geddy Lee and his book ‘My Effin’ Life’, everyone who knows me knows that I love all Campbell’s work. From ‘Evil Dead’ to ‘Bubba Ho-Tep’, the man is a legend in campy, horror B-movie circles.

Listening to Lee’s autobiography via audiobook reignited my taste for the medium. Having loved Campbell’s early career tales, his second book seemed a no-brainer. And boy, was I right. Minutes in, as Campbell’s buttery smooth voice trickled out, I was already laughing.

The book covers Campbell’s personal life and hilarious anecdotes and behind-the-scenes peeks. For example, we learn about ‘My Name is Bruce’ and ‘Bubba Ho-Tep’. I’ve learned more about the movie and TV business from Mr Campbell than anywhere else. Ending on an optimistic note about ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ stung a bit. The dramatic irony of knowing what would happen to the show. What can I say? I’m still not over Starz cancelling it.

If you like Campbell’s work, this is a must-read. Or a must-listen, depending on your favoured way of reading. Audiobook makes it somehow feel closer, listening to the man’s voice. Of course, you should read ‘If Chins Could Kill’ first if you haven’t already.

And if you don’t know who Campbell is, stop whatever you’re doing. Find copies of ‘Evil Dead’, ‘Evil Dead II’, and ‘Army of Darkness’.

Groovy.

Geddy Lee’s ‘My Effin’ Life’ was the next book of 2023.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love Rush. Those three Canadian boys conjured up a particular type of prog rock for forty-odd years. Warm, intelligent, and rocking, Rush is everything I love about music. The recent loss of drummer, lyricist, and philosopher Neil Peart hit home hard. I am only seldom affected by a celebrity’s death—it’s not that it’s not sad, but my lack of knowing them creates a barrier. This distance was not the case with Peart’s death. His words, music, and approach to life burrowed deep into me and changed my outlook.

So, when I heard that bassist and vocalist Lee was penning a book about his life, it stoked me. It also thrilled me that he was narrating the audiobook himself. I always think that when writers narrate their work—fiction or nonfiction—it’s magic. So I knew that the way to experience ‘My Effin’ Life’ was via audiobook.

I like audiobooks, but I don’t love them. I have no issue with others consuming books this way—my wife listens to them daily. But I often find myself drifting off listening, as opposed to the focus required for reading words on a page. So, Lee’s book is the first audiobook I’ve listened to in years. A few minutes in, hearing the man’s beautiful voice rolling out of my headphones, I knew I’d chosen well.

Informative, well-written, hilarious, and heartbreaking, ‘My Effin’ Life’ was a joy. The tragedies that befell the trio—including those to the late, great Peart—hurt the heart. Even as I knew what was coming, I wished that what transpired would not come out of Lee’s mouth. A sort of willful twisting of reality to the way it should be and not the way it is. Alas, we all know the end of the story.

If you like Rush, give it a read. Or even better, give it a listen. And if you don’t know the band, do yourself a favour and binge their catalogue.

Then come back and listen to the man tell you the story.

Tag: autobiography

Book Review: ‘Hail to the Chin’ by Bruce Campbell

Book Review: ‘My Effin’ Life’ by Geddy Lee