Spare
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - Discover the global phenomenon that tells an unforgettable story of love, loss, courage, and healing. "Compellingly artful . . . [a] blockbuster memoir."--The New Yorker (Best Books of the Year) 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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Community Reviews
I had to DNF I think that his experience is so rich and deep. I acknowledge his pain and his hurts. As a spectator in the general public, I am intrigued of the weight of his decisions specifically with his royal family. I picked this book up knowing it would be a Non Fiction biographical read.
I already have a hard time with these type of books.
But ultimately I feel the need to DNF. I have deep rooted feelings as well, in particular with the royal family and the benefits they still reap with colonization.
I cant sit comfortable with myself in tuning into this book. I still will remain a silent spectator and will cheer for his mental health and stability.
At the end of the day he still believes in the monarchy, such an outdated system that still actively ignores the white supremacy thread and backbone of it.
But as a fellow human that has also experienced trauma I see his experience and acknowledge how far he has come.
I already have a hard time with these type of books.
But ultimately I feel the need to DNF. I have deep rooted feelings as well, in particular with the royal family and the benefits they still reap with colonization.
I cant sit comfortable with myself in tuning into this book. I still will remain a silent spectator and will cheer for his mental health and stability.
At the end of the day he still believes in the monarchy, such an outdated system that still actively ignores the white supremacy thread and backbone of it.
But as a fellow human that has also experienced trauma I see his experience and acknowledge how far he has come.
I’ve never been real invested in the royal family and haven’t known much about them, but there are a few things I did know before reading this book. One - Princess Diana was beloved and lost too early. two - Queen Elizabeth II was the longest serving British monarch. and three - prince harry married an American Actress and left England. So, knowing really only those three items, this memoir was enlightening. First off, the title alludes to so much. Prince Harry simply exists to be a backup heir to his brother and that is an incredibly sad way to think of a child. In fact that was my general takeaway from the whole thing - how can human beings be treated this way. Royal life does not seem at all glamorous or something anyone should be dreaming of. The way the paparazzi treated Diana, and harry and then Meghan is just sad. and then the family not defending it, or in ways even supporting t is even crazier. This is a highly interesting read but it was a little long in the story telling for my liking. It was cool to see how “normal” a prince really is and I’m happy he was able to separate his family from what royalty was always having to endure.
I enjoyed listening to this on Audible. Hearing Prince Harry speak his words for me was better than reading them. I am glad he was able to get his truth out in his own words. The world has heard from everyone else and I am glad he is able to and taking the time to tell his side, his truth, the way he lived it. I enjoyed it and applaud him for standing up for his family the way he feels is right.
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