Book: Spare

[elusivek]

Spare
Prince Harry, J.R. Moehringer (Ghostwriter)
Amazon Product Link

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. . . .

For the first time, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. A landmark publication, Spare is full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.

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Listened to this as an audiobook. (Libby loan)

Did not like nor dislike. It was ok.

I was never much for the "Royals Gossip" though inevitably I would hear something or other. I'd like to think I'm also rational enough that I know for a fact these gossipy news are mostly fabricated or spun out of proportion from the actual truth.

I'm not taking sides, but as I'm reading THIS book so hearing THIS side of the story, I must say I'm appalled by the way Harry was treated, especially by his brother. I also don't get the oscillating reactions from William. Like, one moment he's all "hey congrats that's great!" and the next moment he's all "hey nooooooo, you can't do that and she's this [negative thing or other]".

It's really sad that as a family, they can push one of their own away.

Comments

[gilda_elise]

I'm not sure about what to believe, either, though I do tend to swing more toward Harry's side. The whole Royal thing is weird, anyway. Besides, the last really English king died in 1485. After that Tudors (Wales,) Stuarts (Scotland,)William and Mary (Denmark,) Hanovers (Germany,) Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (Windsor-German,)so I tend to see them as just another rich family.

[elusivek]

...so I tend to see them as just another rich family.
yeah, I guess that actually sums it up. I can only say I wish him all the best.