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rhiannonhoward's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Addiction, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Classism, Death of parent, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and War
abi_lowe's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Racism, Bullying, and Car accident
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Stalking, Drug use, War, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Medical content
jewelleryjen's review against another edition
3.25
This book was very interesting, it smacks of privilege (having a bad time?!- fly to Botswana and escape) but of course it does, the guy was a Prince and doesn't know anything else. There are parts where I can see he's trying to say he's normal, but it made me cringe as it seemed very inauthentic (I shop in TK maxx and dry my laundry on the radiators round my flat). If you can give him the benefit of the doubt on those things this book is hugely telling. It's mostly about death, the press and his search for belonging. The entire family are utterly dysfunctional and he doesn't shy away from talking about it. They are expected to do what they're told, or what is tradition, and never show emotions, not even to each other.
This is an enjoyable book to read, the chapters are short and easy.
I missed out on some of it as I didn't know who he was talking about when referencing cousins etc and there were stories from papers that I'd never read or heard of, but it didn't stop me enjoying it.
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, War, Racism, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
jeanettesreadingcorner's review
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death of parent, Bullying, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Pandemic/Epidemic, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, War, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Pregnancy
ars410's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
graceybookster's review
2.5
Ok so I went through a rollercoaster of a ride with this book. To begin with I was drawn in and found it heart wrenching hearing about the boys growing up and how the death of Diana affected them, hearing it from his perspective. It was clear Harry was traumatised and had PTSD from this long before the army. It broke my heart.
Then I was VERY bored through at least a third of the book because it was extremely Army heavy which is not something I relate to or am particularly interested in. I understand however that The Army was a huge part of Prince Harry’s life and a passion of his, but I felt this went on for much too long, giving us endless step by step commentaries on his tasks and procedures there. Probably great for army-minded people but not for me at all. I also did not like the talk of how many people he’d had to kill during his time there, describing them as ‘the baddies’ or ‘pawns’….BUT I can imagine he has been very conditioned to thinking this way with his upbringing and training so I guess I couldn’t really blame him either for these thoughts. I don’t agree with it, but I could see why he’d think this way.
I was then drawn back in after he left the army, with him openly speaking about his depression and anxiety. I commend him for that and more people should speak about it! I was then hooked until the end going through his journey of meeting Megan etc.
I know this book and his actions have caused a lot of controversy which has divided people, as some people strongly disagree with what him and Meg have done in regards to interviews and this book, but how else can they get their side heard if they’ve constantly been railroaded into silence and made to look like the bad guys? I do believe there are two sides to a story and have no doubt that ALOT of stuff has gone on behind closed doors we know nothing about and I wholeheartedly believe that there is a particular biased narrative that’s spun by the establishment and press to make certain family members look good and others look bad. The monarchy have been controlled for years, and perhaps his side of the story is something that NEEDS to come out to break the cycle. Diana was berated and made out to be crazy when she was in fact telling the truth and desperate for help. She was a truth teller and people naturally HATE when truth is spoken against the grain, against the corruption and higher order! Well, I’m sorry but Prince Harry has a right to speak about what’s happened to him and Megan. He has a right to share his side. Him and Megan and his CHILDREN are HUMAN BEINGS.
The press, paparazzi and media are honestly the most disgusting and vile cretins on this earth. Look how it ended for Diana. KILLED FOR A STORY AND A PICTURE. Making a buck out of peoples misery and harassment has become a norm that shouldn’t be normalised or accepted! It’s criminal, inhumane and causes so much pain and anxiety. It shouldn’t be allowed. Especially racism. Period. So I make him right for speaking out! I couldn’t believe some of the things I was hearing with how manipulative and gaslighty the institution is. All for the sake of appearances which is what it boils down to. Absolutely ridiculous.
People deserve to be happy, they deserve freedom to live their lives without constant bombardment of cameras, scrutiny and bullying. They have a right to feel safe and not just thrown to the wolves, royal or not!
The reason I gave it a low rating was because of the huge section I found tedious. I also found the audiobook recording to be quite sloppy - Harry’s voice changing in tone on occasions due to different recordings being pieced together which also had mistakes. I don’t think that was down to him though, more the editors and producers of the recording. I did also find his voice very monotone which again made me shut off a bit, I often had to rewind sections repeatedly because I’d drifted away and gotten lost lol but I did find some of the writing really good with clever imagery and metaphors, which helped bring his world and feelings to the foreground.
Harry has undoubtedly grown up very privileged and has a lots of naivety due to being so sheltered and controlled throughout his life. I do however think he recognises this and has admitted to making mistakes but has also learnt from them and tried to make amends and be better. Overall I found the book quite sad, to be born as an object, a ‘spare’ must have been so difficult and confusing to deal with. Messed up really, but I do hope one day there can be a resolve between him and his brother at least.
Moderate: War, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Miscarriage
danimcthomas's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicide attempt, War, Drug use, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Racism, Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
mcarabooboo's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Sexism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Vomit, Suicide, Racism, Animal cruelty, Slavery, Death, Car accident, Animal death, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, and Miscarriage
dev921's review
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Miscarriage, Drug use, Medical trauma, Cursing, Stalking, Blood, Classism, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Self harm, War, Infidelity, and Mental illness
gabi_715's review
4.0
Graphic: Car accident, Mental illness, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, War, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Bullying