Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
.ePUB, 450 pages
Publication Date: 10 Jan 2023
By: Random House
Goodreads | Amazon
About The Book:
It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is that story at last. Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the more serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness—and, because he blamed the press for his mother’s death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight. At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn’t find true love. Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple’s cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother.
My Review:
I liked this book, a lot. Now I admit it will not win any literary prizes, well maybe it will based on its popularity, but it shouldn't. This isn't a bad book by any means, hence the four star rating. I just felt parts were a little boring and read more like a journal than a memoir.
Harry starts his book with the death of his mother, Princess Diana. I was surprised by how emotional and intimate the book was. Her death clouds and eclipses every aspect of his life, good and bad. It broke my heart to read about it. Like his mother, he loves fiercely and believes family is first.
I have got to give the man props for putting it all out there, warts and all. He knows his issues and is trying his best to deal with them. He takes responsibility for his actions for the most part, it is a shame his father and brother can't as it is apparent he loves them dearly. I was also surprised by how funny he was, I shouldn't have been as he was always fooling around as a child.
The middle section of the book was uninteresting to me. It deals with Harry's life in the military. It describes his training and his deployment to Afghanistan. While I appreciate his service to his country and his Queen I was bored to tears. (Sorry!)
I have usually sided with Meghan and Harry because of the simple fact he blames the press for the situation they found themselves in and he blames the family or the firm for not helping or supporting him and Meghan. Just look at the images below from British newspapers and tell me the press didn't have it out for Meghan. It can't be more evident than that. He gives clear and precise reasons why he chose to step down and I can't blame him one bit.
It's okay for Kate to rub her bump but heaven forbid Meghan should do it.
And let's not forget when Kate eats avocados all is right in the world, when Meghan eats them she is contributing to human rights offences.
There isn't much new in the book but I loved that it was from Harry's mind, mouth and heart. If only we all had someone love us the way he loves Meghan.
This title is currently available for purchase.
Comments
Post a Comment