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A review by catsteaandabook
Spare by Prince Harry
I grew up and still live in the US so the royals have never been a huge presence in my life, but I think most people have some amount of curiosity about them due to their status and how much is unknown about their lives. I was really excited for this one just for the royal tea. It’s exciting to finally have a true lens into what happens behind palace walls.
We start with the death of Princess Diana, and it’s rough. It shows from the beginning just how dangerous the press can be, and the trauma Harry carries from it is extremely prevalent throughout the entirety of the book.
The entire book is really about the horrors of the British press, and it gets the point across. I knew the press was really bad, but I didn’t truly know the extents of everything they do. It’s truly horrifying and I really do feel bad for everyone who has to deal with it. What was incredibly frustrating for me though, is how stupidly unnecessary it all is. These people are famous, and therefore having to deal with the press, for literally nothing. Harry talks about how he had no choice in being born into this family, this lifestyle, being the spare, but he never talks about how this is yet another reason why the monarchy is awful and needs to go.
I hate the monarchy for its affect on the people, but really the whole book is an example of why the monarchy is bad for the royals too, and it’s really annoying not seeing Harry clock onto that. They’re a family, but they’re also a business. There is so much jealousy and competition for no reason! Harry and William were both extremely traumatized from their mother’s death and you want them to bond over that and be there for each other but they aren’t, and it’s clear after the release of this book, they will no longer have a relationship. The “I swear on mummy’s life” scene at the end was truly gut wrenching. I nearly cried.
I do wish that Harry and Meghan stopped trying to be relatable. There were multiple moments when I cringed because they tried so hard to come off as relatable when they are two of they most unrelatable people on the planet. I wish they owned up to that.
Despite my qualms, this was an excellently written book and I commend the ghost writer. I’m definitely glad I read it and I am honestly glad this book is out in the world. I hope that it changes people’s minds about the monarchy.
We start with the death of Princess Diana, and it’s rough. It shows from the beginning just how dangerous the press can be, and the trauma Harry carries from it is extremely prevalent throughout the entirety of the book.
The entire book is really about the horrors of the British press, and it gets the point across. I knew the press was really bad, but I didn’t truly know the extents of everything they do. It’s truly horrifying and I really do feel bad for everyone who has to deal with it. What was incredibly frustrating for me though, is how stupidly unnecessary it all is. These people are famous, and therefore having to deal with the press, for literally nothing. Harry talks about how he had no choice in being born into this family, this lifestyle, being the spare, but he never talks about how this is yet another reason why the monarchy is awful and needs to go.
I hate the monarchy for its affect on the people, but really the whole book is an example of why the monarchy is bad for the royals too, and it’s really annoying not seeing Harry clock onto that. They’re a family, but they’re also a business. There is so much jealousy and competition for no reason! Harry and William were both extremely traumatized from their mother’s death and you want them to bond over that and be there for each other but they aren’t, and it’s clear after the release of this book, they will no longer have a relationship. The “I swear on mummy’s life” scene at the end was truly gut wrenching. I nearly cried.
I do wish that Harry and Meghan stopped trying to be relatable. There were multiple moments when I cringed because they tried so hard to come off as relatable when they are two of they most unrelatable people on the planet. I wish they owned up to that.
Despite my qualms, this was an excellently written book and I commend the ghost writer. I’m definitely glad I read it and I am honestly glad this book is out in the world. I hope that it changes people’s minds about the monarchy.