As the world continues to mourn the loss of Sam Neill, one of Australia’s most beloved actors, this reviewer remembers recommending his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? (2023) back in June 2023.
As Text Publishing describes it, Neill wrote this “unexpected” memoir “in a creative burst of just a few months in 2022”. Worried that he might be dying soon, the actor decided to write for himself, about himself, as honestly as possible.
“Suddenly, for the first time in my life, I have time to burn, and time to think. And writing, jotting thoughts and memories down, is a salve. It gets my mind off things,” Neill wrote at the start of his 400-page monologue.
Even now, this reviewer can vividly recall the actor’s writing style. To put it simply: “It is clear that the man writes like he talks.” It is particularly amusing that Neill expressed his gratitude to Text Publishing for “all the punctuation”.
Perhaps that is why this memoir is unique – it preserves the writer’s original and authentic voice, without trying to turn the man into something he was not and had no intention to be. There is neither polishing nor pretending, so what we see is what we get.
Re-reading this “lively, lovely book” (as described by Meryl Streep), Neill’s frequent use of “poor bastard(s)” as an endearing term still stands out. Also prominent is his attention and devotion to details, his passion for life, and his wicked sense of humour.
Different from other memoirs by political, social and cultural celebrities, in Neill’s memoir there is not a bad word about anyone that he ever worked for, with and/or around. There is no attempt to analyse, criticise or judge anything. Only lived experiences are represented.
And it takes a beautiful mind to see the extraordinary in the most “ordinary” aspects of life. Neill’s in-depth observations of his surroundings – especially those random people, creatures and landscapes he came across – often read like poetry. To this reviewer, these personal reflections and insights shine brighter and truer than his stories about the world’s movie stars.
Back in 2023 this reviewer wrote:
“Neill’s writing is genuine and warm, full of joy and a sense of adventure… There is often a child-like innocence about him. Yet, many of his stories about family, friendship and film are graceful and tender, full of heartfelt emotions and empathy.”
Looking back, reading Did I Ever Tell You This? felt like reading The Little Prince (1943) by the French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In that story, a little boy who has travelled to Earth from his own tiny planet recalls the rose he loved and the fox he befriended, as well as the strange grown-ups he met along the way.
Neill had been that innocent boy at heart. It is an honour to have known him through his written words.
Note: This article was partially published under the title “Re-reading a star’s memories” by Ranges Trader Star Mail, July 21, 2026, P.17.
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 