I was able to start and finish this in an hour. This is a memoir under a disguise. Malerman recounts the night he introduced his girlfriend to the movie, Evil Dead, but along the way, he shares insight on his writing process and the thoughts he had throughout.I think it was an interesting way to tell a few personal stories without feeling too stuffy or overindulging in a trip down memory lane. It's only 224 pages and the way it is written makes it go fast.I grew up watching Ash aka Bruce Campbell and I'm really glad I was able to share those movies with others.I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

Well you should know this is not one of his books of fiction, which I thought it was when I preordered it

One night the author decided to watch the movie “Evil Dead”with his fiancée and two friends. It inspired him to reflect on his life. He ha career being a musician and wondering if his rough drafts were going to be published. His fiancée inspired him to try new experiences which included new ways to look at the world. He decides to help others to write. By describing an unusual night, he inspires would be authors. It’s a book that surprised me while I read it. It was different from what I expected. It has inspired me to go back and rethink some of the things that I had done when I was being “creative” though it has nothing to do with writing. I had started to write a diary/journal just for myself but had stopped — this has inspired me to go back writing in my diary/journal. It’s a book that inspired me to rethink my own life and where it is going. Thank you Josh Malerman.Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Blurb Goes Here...]Most of us know Josh Malerman, the author. We've taken a small peek into his mind while reading Goblin, Spin a Black Yarn, Pearl, Daphne, the famous Bird Box, and my personal favorite, Incidents Around the House. But that was all it was—a small peek. In Watching the Evil Dead, he reveals himself not as a distant artist, but as a regular person with normal problems who goes through life enjoying every little spark of happiness he can find.This novel is a two-way street: he tries to help you achieve your goals while sharing his love life and his experiences as an author. It is not uncommon for authors to write that one novel that creates a bond with their readers; Haruki Murakami's Novelist as a Vocation comes to mind.Yet Malerman's style will trap you in its engaging rhythm—that is, until he finally watches The Evil Dead with his girlfriend.A beautiful success story intertwined with an endearing love story, and sprinkled with the author's musings, makes for a wonderful read.If you're a fan of Malerman's novels, I would advise you not to let this one go.Thank you for the advanced copy!

This is an inspiring and insightful book about one fateful night. A night amongst friends watching Evil Dead morphs into so much more. Although writing is not my medium, I still found much of the book inspiring. 4 stars