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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Regardless of whose side you’re on, this book shines a light on the trauma Prince Harry has been through and the sad state of affairs between him and his family. While I don’t think this book will help with any reconciliation between any of them, it certainly helps show how important mental health is and it leaves me more concerned for his well-being.
He shared his experiences of the loss of his mother, growing up and being positioned as the “spare” without her living presence and without being supported in processing his feelings about her death, his young adult life, and then his love story. LOTS of tea gets spilled about his brother, his father, and the paparazzi
Oh boy. Doesn’t even work as a hate read in spite of what is clearly an excellent ghost writer.
Made it to the part where he (a literally actual prince) describes being “intimidated” by Meghan being so “cultured” (because, get this, she was READING EAT PRAY LOVE when they met and he (THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK) “isn’t into books”) before I needed to borrow my infant daughter’s burp cloth to vomit into. Spare ME, Harold.
It’s an absolute nonstop parade of stuff like this.
Yes, the central problem with this book is the contradiction at its heart (he ostensibly wants privacy, but goes to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to seek attention). Mostly I’m just envious that the world’s greatest job is wasted on someone who is clearly one of its dullest inhabitants. For the record, I would be a PHENOMENAL minor royal. It’s long been my dream job and I’m just so incredibly disappointed that one of the only people in the world who gets to do apparently doesn’t seem to appreciate how incredible the gig is. Your job is literally to be a delight at dinner parties and events (fun!), be classy enough to get good press, but boring enough to blend into the background (check), and avoid committing crimes or otherwise being a moral disgrace (not difficult!). Those who know me know I can do all three with exceptional grace and due humility. Instead, I am paying rent and working 9-5. Meanwhile Harold has failed on all three accounts AND IS ASKING FOR PUBLIC SYMPATHY. Sir, NO!
Made it to the part where he (a literally actual prince) describes being “intimidated” by Meghan being so “cultured” (because, get this, she was READING EAT PRAY LOVE when they met and he (THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK) “isn’t into books”) before I needed to borrow my infant daughter’s burp cloth to vomit into. Spare ME, Harold.
It’s an absolute nonstop parade of stuff like this.
Yes, the central problem with this book is the contradiction at its heart (he ostensibly wants privacy, but goes to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to seek attention). Mostly I’m just envious that the world’s greatest job is wasted on someone who is clearly one of its dullest inhabitants. For the record, I would be a PHENOMENAL minor royal. It’s long been my dream job and I’m just so incredibly disappointed that one of the only people in the world who gets to do apparently doesn’t seem to appreciate how incredible the gig is. Your job is literally to be a delight at dinner parties and events (fun!), be classy enough to get good press, but boring enough to blend into the background (check), and avoid committing crimes or otherwise being a moral disgrace (not difficult!). Those who know me know I can do all three with exceptional grace and due humility. Instead, I am paying rent and working 9-5. Meanwhile Harold has failed on all three accounts AND IS ASKING FOR PUBLIC SYMPATHY. Sir, NO!
emotional
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
A must read for Royalists
Eye-opening
Eye-opening
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I struggled to figure out how to rate this. In the end, I've decided to rate it based on storytelling ability. Since I listened to the audiobook (which I highly recommend), this memoir hits the heart. Told in three parts (his childhood and losing Diana, his teens and 20s where he attempts to find himself, and his 30s where he meets Meghan to current), I believe Harry has told his side of the story as truely and transparently as he can, while attempting to retain some respect (or dignity maybe?) for his family.
You know the old saying that there are three sides to every story (person A, person B, and what really happened)? That's what reading this book is like. Getting the story from person A, but not being sure what else could be missing. One very compelling truth is that he, Meghan, and the rest of his family (see Diana's story) are definitely treated horrifically, particularly by paparazzi, but also by the public at large who take those tabloid stories at full value, and likely by the palace themselves.
Overall, I'm not a follower of the royal family and only loosely aware of some of the drama that's happened since Meghan came into the picture. So I'll wrap my review by saying this was very well-written, saddening to think about all both Harry and Will have had to deal with, and I hope cathartic for Harry to write.
You know the old saying that there are three sides to every story (person A, person B, and what really happened)? That's what reading this book is like. Getting the story from person A, but not being sure what else could be missing. One very compelling truth is that he, Meghan, and the rest of his family (see Diana's story) are definitely treated horrifically, particularly by paparazzi, but also by the public at large who take those tabloid stories at full value, and likely by the palace themselves.
Overall, I'm not a follower of the royal family and only loosely aware of some of the drama that's happened since Meghan came into the picture. So I'll wrap my review by saying this was very well-written, saddening to think about all both Harry and Will have had to deal with, and I hope cathartic for Harry to write.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
This man be boring acell. This book gave Montague vs. Capulet lowkey. & Part 3 kinda ate too? 🧐
Honorable moments:
- long live lady Di. I only read this for her mentions initially. The tidbit about how Di was the only person in this godforsaken castle that treated the staff in the basement with warmth and kindness…she was such a baddie
- In part three harry says about Botswana, “this is the world before the world was made” AHHHHH, NAHHHHH BRUH; this is the world before your fam colonized the globe to shit 😵💫
- Overall, the last third of the book really gave, “richest and most privileged white boy on earth learns what anti-Black racism is for the first time at the ripe age of pushing forty”, and even when he banishes himself, Meghan, and Archie to California, and still got plenty of bucks left (cause let’s not forget about Meg’s Suits residuals now!), harry still be all “woe is me”?
- I agree with harry tho that william is a childish asinine ass loser and kate most definitely set my homegirl Meg up with that one scandal. Fuck you william; and I just know lady Di wouldn’t tolerate your shenanigans, and is most definitely #TeamHarry 💯
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol
Minor: Racial slurs, Slavery, Vomit