Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Spare by Prince Harry

44 reviews

jeanettesreadingcorner's review

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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graceybookster's review

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

2.5

2.5 stars read via 🎧Audiobook🎧

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.

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syza17's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

4.75


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mcarabooboo's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.5


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dev921's review

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emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.5


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kiwichill's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad slow-paced

3.0


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tdhuck's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.25


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laurenabeth's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0


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itsbumley's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.5


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kimveach's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I rarely read memoirs, so I don't know how to critique them.  Instead, I'll share a few thoughts.  I listened to this, which is the best approach to this work.  It would be best if you listened (at regular speed) to Harry speaking to understand how sincerely he feels about his story.  It's hard to know if all the conflicts in his life, especially with his father and brother, happened as he tells it.  Do two people ever tell the same story about a situation?  

This is a story of a boy without a stable home life whose mother dies tragically.  That trauma carries into war zones and his search for a relationship that can withstand the scrutiny of the press.  With the help of therapy, he's able to move forward.

Some of the best parts for me were learning about life in the palace, at Eton, and in the army.  It was also fascinating to learn how Prince Charles divided royal duties and access to money between the brothers.

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