Did I Ever Tell You This?

While undergoing treatment for cancer, actor Neill looks back on his life and shares stories, yarns, and opinions. In this self-narrated memoir, he takes an ambling journey through his favorite topics, touching on family, moving to Ireland, England, New Zealand, and Australia, and his life in film. He winds around the major events that led him to his somewhat unexpected career, interspersing nostalgic reminiscences with informal essays on everything from feminism to art and architecture to his beloved organically grown wine. Though certainly a memoir, this work dispenses with strict chronological order, opting for tangentially related, though consistently delightful digressions. Neill sprinkles in his opinions about social issues, politics, movies, television, and history. At one point, he even discusses the procreation behaviors of various livestock animals. Along the way, listeners learn about his illness, treatments, and hope for the future. Neill narrates his own words in an avuncular manner, employing a soothing, conversational tone to create an enveloping storytelling atmosphere. Even his harshest comments are tempered by a genial amusement.