Prince Harry

Spare

🌞Laur🌞

The whole family, with the exception of Mummy, because Mummy was no longer part of the family. She’d either bolted or been thrown out, depending on whom you asked, though I never asked anyone 

The past is never dead. It’s not even the past.

 When I discovered that quotation not long ago on 

, I was thunderstruck. I thought, Who the 

 is Faulkner? And how’s he related to us Windsors? 

I never asked why. I didn’t care. But I also didn’t need to ask. Two years older than me, Willy was the Heir, whereas I was the Spare. 

It was reported that Mummy’s hands were folded across her chest and between them was placed a photo of me and Willy, possible the only two men who ever truly loved her. Certainly the two men who loved her the most. 

My existence was just fun and games to these people. I wasn’t a human being to them. I wasn’t a fourteen-year-old boy hanging on by his fingernails. I was a cartoon character, a glove puppet to be manipulated and mocked for fun. 

Stolen. That’s it. That’s the thought. Stolen. 

Not just a diamond, actually; the Great Diamond of the World. a 105-karat monster called the Koh-i-Noor. Largest diamond ever seen by human eyes. “Acquired” by the British Empire at its zenith. Stolen, same thought. 

When the wedding did finally take place - without Granny, who chose not to attend - it was almost cathartic for everyone, even me. 

Eva Petschek

Spare or not, they said, its unwise to send a royal into a war zone. (It was the first time in twenty-five years that such a thing had been done.)

My mind flashed back to Eton. The fox I'd glimpsed, when stoned, from the window of the loo. So, he really had been a messenger from the future after all. One day you'll be alone, late at night, in the darkness, hunted like me... see how you like it.

Demand for the wristband skyrocketed, donations began rolling in. It was the start of a long, meaningful relationship. More, it was a visceral reminder of the power of our platform.

Space Jones

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 Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling - and how their lives would play out from that point on.

For Harry, this is that story at last.

With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief.

Prince Harry wishes to support British charities with donations from his proceeds from Spare. The Duke of Sussex has donated $1,500,000 to Sentebale, an organisation he founded with Prince Seeiso in their mothers' legacies, which supports vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana affected by HIV/AIDS. Prince Harry will also donate to the non-profit organisation WellChild in the amount of £300,000. WellChild, which he has been Royal patron of for fifteen years, makes it possible for children and young people with complex health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.

Jess

Some parts were interesting but I spaced out during others. 

I went into this book with pretty much no knowledge of the royal family. I found this all fairly interesting, but I found a lot the beginning and middle parts fairly dull and repetitive. It did intrigue me to learn more about this current era of royals, and how affected they are with the press.

Paige Paul

elizabeth

I moderately like Harry as a pubic figure. I'm moderately interested in the royals. I moderately enjoy memoirs in general. So it makes sense that my review of this is just moderately positive. And, honestly, I think that's an accomplishment when I consider that this memoir is 70% about Harry's troubles--his extraordinarily, mindblowingly (and unsurprisingly!) unrelatable troubles. Especially when Harry's background could be considered enviable, it's commendable that he's able to convince the audience (well, at least me) of the authenticity and severity of his struggles. 

The language is rather plain, but Harry's voice as a writer is emotional and likable enough to keep me hooked. Harry is clearly a romantic, a soft heart, but ever compelled toward taking action, he doesn't get too woe-is-me about anything. Throughout, several items are underlined repeatedly:

1. He has no permanent, unforgivable enemy besides the press. 
2. His mother and her death live in his mind rent-free, though with varying effects throughout his life.
3. He loves Africa.

Item #1 seems to dictate how warmly he writes about various players in his life. Past loves, a girl in Vegas, his grandmother, his brother, his sister-in-law, his nanny, his therapist, his bodyguards, his army pals, his friends in Africa...Harry's portrayal of them is as warm as they are innocent in the press's antics. This is why his treatment of his royal family members--his brother and father in particular--stands out as the most layered, the most complicated, the most compelling. 

Now having finished the book, I feel I've only come to lukewarm, or at least inoffensive conclusions. I distrust British press coverage of the royals about as much as I did at the beginning (a lot). I'm just as sure (extremely sure) that I do not envy anyone born into a dynasty. I like Harry (and Meghan) about the same amount, though I might respect Harry a smidge more than I did pre-Spare.

Sandrin

When it comes to dysfunctional families there is never a winner.

First I have to praise J. R. Moehringer who was the ghostwriter for this memoir. They did a marvelous job depicting an interesting life in an engaging way while still managing to capture Harry's personality. 

I would describe the memoir as primarily sad, and somewhat disturbing in the almost nonchalant way Harry describes numerous traumatic events in his life, but at the same time it comes off as hopeful. Harry appears to be someone who is deeply trusting or at least tries to be. He wants to see the good in his family and throughout is very gracious in the way he describes them, always giving them the benefit of the doubt, always looking for understanding and... love. Because at the core of this book seems to be his need to be loved, to belong, and to be cared for. The way he never truly attacks his family's character is a courtesy I'm not sure they would have extended to him if they were the ones holding the pen.

All in all, a refreshing read, very well paced that gives you a lot to think about regarding privilege, mental health, and privacy.

Allison Dempsey

I didn’t love the narrative style and found it somewhat choppy, but after reading I have a much better understanding of who Harry is as a person and why things transpired the way they did. A worthwhile read for all of the tea spilled!

I really liked hearing his side of everything. It was a bit dramatic at times and sometimes when I would find myself relating to him he would remind me that he is a millionaire and I allowed we are not the same. Anyways not bad overall. 👑

Sadie Hoffman

Decided to read this book while scrolling on my shelf and the way everyone was talking about that.. and of course, for the Royal Family. I don’t really know about its core, just like a particular reader of its own but this book is so pack and stiffs. It literally goes like a diary of Prince Harry; all the situations, the way he uttered the stories, everything. Have imagined it as a magical tale in every royal castle, however, being a prince isn’t that truly happy ever after.

Suddenly I’m wondering how they can cope with this (the set of funeral, the war, the clinking brindles, everything) from time to time, remember every angle and things that happened to be prescribed publicly meanwhile it was something that quite traumatized for them?

I don’t want to rate someone’s life experience but these stars are for my devoted love of Lady Diana and her entire family, the character developments of Prince Harry himself— that I wish I can witness his entire life like a fiction book, but this once upon a time forever home will be authentic for numerous time ahead.

Julien M.

pozie

I’ve never followed the Royal Family, I’ve never watched The Crown, I’ve not seen any of the media surrounding this book. I believe going in blind that most of the people who read this book had already made up their minds. This isn’t a bad book whatsoever. The actual writing is great, his story is incredibly interesting and I never got bored. Not once did I get the impression of “poor me” or of a villainous story.

No ratings for memoirs! This book absolutely crushed me over and over again. So, so happy for him that he was able to tell his story, and I hope he’s able to continue his growth. A must read (or a must listen!)

(Bre)anne✨

TW to be added later

No ratings for memoirs! This book absolutely crushed me over and over again. So, so happy for him that he was able to tell his story, and I hope he’s able to continue his growth. A must read (or a must listen!)

am between a 3 and a 3.5, mostly because i couldn't put it down. it's certainly not the best memoir i've read, but overall it was an interesting point of view into the house of windsor and their, for lack of better word, folly.

tea was spilt for sure but omg it took me months to read this book bc some parts were so slow lol moral of the story the royal family kinda sucks 

Amanda aguirre

Jonathan Tysick

Very well written (well done J.R Moehringer!) to the point of being a page turner. Part coming of age story, part wild-life documentary, part war story, part romance and part family dramedy. The overwhelming themes are Harry's emphatic aversion to the British press and him dealing with his mother's death. I certainly wouldn't publish things about my immediate family as he did, but it definitely made for a fascinating read!

I’m not normally a big memoir person, but this was a really neat peek into the royal families life. 

Alissa 

Ozge Kara

Listened to it as an audiobook and I am happy for the choice. Harry is a great narrator, I didn’t expect him to be if I’m being honest. Though I have to admit I listened to the book at 1.15 speed and I recommend it. 
The book is very well written. They say that there was a great ghostwriter behind it and I can understand it. I love biographies. 
I will not get into the media gossip but of course talon at everything reported in the media is clearly taken out of context. 
3.5 stars.

Lara Ximenes

Um olhar privilegiado para as dinâmicas de poder entre a imprensa e a Coroa britânica, assente em estruturas coloniais e profundamente racistas. Ao longo de pouco mais de 400 páginas, Harry dá-nos pistas relativamente ao que levou a que se tornasse uma entidade separada da monarquia. Acompanhamos as suas dores, comuns a tantos nós, e ganhamos uma perspetiva sobre o sufoco, a angústia que é ser vilipendiado pela imprensa, alimentada por spin doctors contratados por outros membros da família real.

I picked this up because I found the clips I saw online about it hilarious. Now, not so much anymore. It was very educational and interesting to get a glimpse inside his head. It was also heartbreaking to learn what life as a prince with the British press is like. No one deserves this. 

Lenja

chloe ✩‧₊˚✧｡*ﾟ

Am I allowed to say "eat the rich" ?! speechless, and not in a good way. not even worth thinking about when there are much worse things happening right now.

Anyaconda

It was just okay. 
I listened to the audiobook. For me it didn't reveal anything new or groundbreaking. The royal family is as disfunctional as any other family, the press and paparazzi practices are horrific and I'm glad he's getting therapy. But he's taking advantage now of the news and raking in the millions. I guess it's a give and take...

         Like many American women, I have been fascinated by this royal family for decades.  I remember watching Princess Diana’s wedding, being absolutely gobsmacked by the dress, the church, the sheer number of people watching, and the pageantry of it all.  I was determined to trace my lineage so I could prove I, too, belonged with this royal family and all the amazingness I felt went along with it.  I recall watching the two, motherless princes grow up, thinking that Prince William wasn’t THAT much younger than me…right?  I was determined to be a royal.  I wasn’t the only one.  There are even songs about it.  “Le sigh.”  Obviously, I’m not a royal, my ancestry is predominantly Irish (which explains my temper and my love for booze), but deep-down, I’m 100% pure American girl. 

            This book genuinely made me happy to just be a girl from Albuquerque, New Mexico.   My family has it’s faults, but when our shit gets real, it doesn’t end up in the news.  Harry had a love/hate relationship with the press his entire life, and while we here in the US are mesmerized by TMZ, it’s nothing compared to European paparazzi.  Every time that kid farted, there was a sleezy journalist nearby to chronicle the event.  He had a father that seemed uninterested and distant, so growing up his greatest ally was his big brother.  It was the two of them against the world.  Reading how the two of them grew distant, then adversarial, broke my heart.  Growing up, I often felt my own greatest ally was my big brother.  Our parents divorced, our mom got remarried to a man with two kids (who needed all the love and attention my mom could give them, they were a mess when we met them), then our dad remarried and eventually had two kids with his second wife.  My brother and I went back and forth, so it felt like he was the one constant.  Over the years, we have grown apart, which also breaks my heart, but I can’t imagine us being openly antagonistic towards each other.  Harry and William got to the point where they didn’t want to be near each other. 

            It seemed like everything about Harry’s life was difficult.  Going to school, dating, partying (like any young person will inevitably do at some point), even his military career.  Being in line for the throne means every movement is scrutinized and judged.  This poor guy had a rough time, and it was refreshing to read HIS words, not words of the press releases authorized by his father’s staff.  I was actually completely blown away by how well-written this book was, and how eloquently Harry was able to recount his experiences.  I figured I would enjoy it, but I was blown away by how much I truly did enjoy it.  This book isn’t just for people who are fans of the royals, it’s for anybody who is a fan of memoirs and fascinating lives.   

Kristen Claiborn

         Like many American women, I have been fascinated by this royal family for decades.  I remember watching Princess Diana’s wedding, being absolutely gobsmacked by the dress, the church, the sheer number of people watching, and the pageantry of it all.  I was determined to trace my lineage so I could prove I, too, belonged with this royal family and all the amazingness I felt went along with it.  I recall watching the two, motherless princes grow up, thinking that Prince William wasn’t THAT much younger than me…right?  I was determined to be a royal.  I wasn’t the only one.  There are even songs about it.  “Le sigh.”  Obviously, I’m not a royal, my ancestry is predominantly Irish (which explains my temper and my love for booze), but deep-down, I’m 100% pure American girl. 

            This book genuinely made me happy to just be a girl from Albuquerque, New Mexico.   My family has it’s faults, but when our shit gets real, it doesn’t end up in the news.  Harry had a love/hate relationship with the press his entire life, and while we here in the US are mesmerized by TMZ, it’s nothing compared to European paparazzi.  Every time that kid farted, there was a sleezy journalist nearby to chronicle the event.  He had a father that seemed uninterested and distant, so growing up his greatest ally was his big brother.  It was the two of them against the world.  Reading how the two of them grew distant, then adversarial, broke my heart.  Growing up, I often felt my own greatest ally was my big brother.  Our parents divorced, our mom got remarried to a man with two kids (who needed all the love and attention my mom could give them, they were a mess when we met them), then our dad remarried and eventually had two kids with his second wife.  My brother and I went back and forth, so it felt like he was the one constant.  Over the years, we have grown apart, which also breaks my heart, but I can’t imagine us being openly antagonistic towards each other.  Harry and William got to the point where they didn’t want to be near each other. 

            It seemed like everything about Harry’s life was difficult.  Going to school, dating, partying (like any young person will inevitably do at some point), even his military career.  Being in line for the throne means every movement is scrutinized and judged.  This poor guy had a rough time, and it was refreshing to read HIS words, not words of the press releases authorized by his father’s staff.  I was actually completely blown away by how well-written this book was, and how eloquently Harry was able to recount his experiences.  I figured I would enjoy it, but I was blown away by how much I truly did enjoy it.  This book isn’t just for people who are fans of the royals, it’s for anybody who is a fan of memoirs and fascinating lives.   

Joana da Silva

The sacrifices I make just to create content about it.

I definitely bought into the hype when this book first came out and tore into it like every other person eager for Royal Family tea. When that hype died down, I kind of set it aside for a while and didn’t feel quite as compelled to keep going.

That being said though, I did find it to be an interesting read in the end. Parts of it are definitely sticking with me, particularly the ruthlessness of the paparazzi. I liked his writing style, even the lack of actual dialogue. For lack of a better word, it was an insightful, although not terribly surprising, look into the life of a royal.

Rachael Bahr

I definitely bought into the hype when this book first came out and tore into it like every other person eager for Royal Family tea. When that hype died down, I kind of set it aside for a while and didn’t feel quite as compelled to keep going.

That being said though, I did find it to be an interesting read in the end. Parts of it are definitely sticking with me, particularly the ruthlessness of the paparazzi. I liked his writing style, even the lack of actual dialogue. For lack of a better word, it was an insightful, although not terribly surprising, look into the life of a royal.

I do not love nonfiction or memoirs so I did read this very slowly but I did like it. I have also been so interested in the royal family and I love Harry and Meghan so I really wanted to read it. I did not care about his time in the army but the rest of it was really cool to learn about. I just feel bad for him. 

Brianna Foley

Maga P

Checked this one out of curiosity but looking back it seems pretty in line with my last read, Jennette McCurdy's I'm glad my mom Died. Both are biographies and deal with growing up in a dysfunctional environment and finding your way out of it while dealing with grief and trying your best at self-actualization. 

In that regard, I'd recommend this book.

The prose is just beautiful at points but I wasn't expecting less from a ghostwriter that won a Pulitzer, from what I read. The literary references sprinkled through are wonderful, and the turn of phrases work so well with the most whimsical and stream of thought-ish passages of the book. 

Personally the military section was something of a slow read and I dragged my feet through it (I'm antimilitary) but I recognize how much the experiences and the people met there contributed to his understanding of trauma. I did appreciate the passages describing his work with veterans, though. 

In conclusion, you won't find much here if all you're looking for is an outright denouncement of the British monarchy or an acknowledgement of his privilege, but it's a good read on the topic of grief, trauma and breaking toxic cycles.

Spare

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