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j_c_'s review against another edition
4.5
I am happy for Harry that he is getting the help he needs to learn how to cope with his trauma, deeply entertained by the entire royal drama (seeing as it doesn't involve me and I am, against my better judgement, a Royal Watcher) and believe that he is, in fact, speaking the truth. For the most part. It helps that this is his face and that he doesn't shy away from names (for the most part).
It is relatively easy to read, this book. It is short and direct, and Harry's humour is intensely acidic and self-derisive. He isn't shy about making a fool of himself, touching on aspects that don't, necessarily, depict him in the most beneficial light.
No matter how much he says he wrote this book to help his family understand, that his end goal wasn't to shame them... I don't necessarily believe it. His depictions of some of his family members are eye-opening and made me think about why he would write them if not to shame them. That being said, he does share some light on some of them, and mostly, (mostly), portrays them in a flattering way.
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Vomit, War, Abortion, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Car accident, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, and Suicidal thoughts
queerloras's review
3.0
Moderate: Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, War, Colonisation, Death, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Classism, Car accident, Blood, Bullying, Grief, Drug use, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
kbbru's review
3.75
While "shocking" seems to be a common word applied to his story, none of the contents are particularly surprising if you're familiar with the dynamics of dysfunctional families and institutional oppression. It's all there and it tracks.
What I didn't expect was the ways in which I identified with Harry's experience of a long distance serious relationship, his determination not to repeat the family mistakes, etc.
Other parts of the book were very much not for me, but the chapters were all short, making it easy to keep moving. I can appreciate the bravery it takes to own your (painful) story and share it, even while not yet having enough distance from parts of it to really dig deep.
My critiques are not for how he's handled the situation with his family. It's easy to judge from the outside and with emotional distance how you might have done things differently, to take potshots that give a sense of superiority. It's a different thing altogether to be inside such emotionally fraught circumstances doing the best you can.
The book works if you loved Diana or want to know more about the lives of the family without all the PR shine (like Charles doing headstands in his boxers). If you really connect with stories about dysfunctional families or a controlling, spiteful older brother, Harry has you covered. Maybe you want to read the story of a man who had a painful start in life, but he's doing the work, making mistakes, and trying to change his narrative from the foreordained conclusion. Check, check. My reasons are my own, but any of the above a good entry points for connecting.
If you're looking for an insightful critique of the monarchy or probing into the history of its wrongs, this isn't that book. Colonialism is not reckoned with. And William's tantrum about Africa, as though it's his toy, is sickening.
The book is very personal, raw at times, seething against a villainous press and reeling under the relentless gaslighting and lies. There are places to roll your eyes and some funny moments. Harry is also tender as husband and father, grandson, and as his mother's son.
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Racism, War, Bullying, Classism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Abandonment, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Alcohol, and Car accident
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, and Antisemitism
caitiedundas's review
3.0
Mostly I just found it very sad. I think the book has been sensationalised by the leaked quotes and early sound bites, mostly about Harry’s penis, but the actual content is desperately sad. He comes across as a deeply traumatised, anxious man who is clearly haunted by a childhood and adolescence which sounds pretty grim despite the immense wealth and privilege. It’s very difficult not to empathise with him for his difficult experiences. I particularly enjoyed the first portion of the book, covering his childhood and early adolescence. It was interesting to get a look into this period and I felt he came across the most sincere in these parts. Not that his sincerity was something I really doubted later on in the book, but it was most pronounced early.
That being said, where I struggled to empathise was when it seemed like assertions were being made to try and ensure Harry came across as ‘a normal guy’. This is the worst in the second half of the book with passages dedicated to his supermarket routines, TK Max visits, etcetera. It seemed as though he was determined to come across as any old pleb, when it’s clear this simply isn’t the case, and this is something he does acknowledge in other areas of the book. In a passage near the end he recounts never having ordered an Amazon parcel, or held a house key, so he is clearly well aware of his unconventionally sheltered and elevated lifestyle, making the repeated attempts to situate himself as an ‘ordinary’ person all the more puzzling. Add to that the copious mentions of exclusive members club Soho House, plenty of occasions of friends with spare mansions, lots of monetary talk. The guy is clearly wealthy and privileged, and the book would be better for it if his honesty there was more consistent.
The writing was decent. Nothing I felt particularly blown away by but it was an enjoyable, fast paced read. The atmospheric descriptions, in particular, I thought were strong, and the themes which strung throughout the memoir and motifs which popped up repeatedly were used effectively (the flag, the biro, etc).
Not really a critique of the book as it is indeed reality but it was sad that the book ended on a rather negative note, with evidently little contact between Harry and his Royal family. It feels like quite an open ending, something I suspect is purposeful for another book.
Overall - a decent read! Despite being long it remained pretty fast paced and only took me a few days to read, with a fairly moderate amount of time dedicated to reading each day. Wouldn’t have spent the full price or indeed the current standard half price on it, but the nice it ends up in the charity shops it is absolutely worth a wee read!
Graphic: Misogyny, Colonisation, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, War, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Stalking, Drug abuse, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Racial slurs
Minor: Infertility, Drug use, Medical content, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
caseythereader's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Gun violence, Death, War, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Drug use, Car accident, Gaslighting, Grief, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Racism, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Animal death
sammantha's review
5.0
The rest of the book was beautifully written and heartbreaking. Anyone ever wishing to have been born Royal or to be famous, I’d recommend reading Harry’s words. I’m glad he and Meghan found each other - their love is inspiring. I wish them a long, healthy and happy life together. And hopefully from here on out he’ll let the animals be.
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Animal death, Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, War, Racism, Blood, Car accident, Misogyny, Suicide, and Gaslighting
jessiereads98's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Death, War, Mental illness, Misogyny, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Torture, Grief, Sexism, Animal death, Violence, Stalking, Gore, and Racism
Moderate: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Car accident, Classism, Colonisation, Drug use, Gun violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Incest, Infidelity, Slavery, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, and Pedophilia
megmcreads's review
5.0
But I’m here to share my takeaway from a book I never expected to actually read! Call it a serious case of FOMO, whatever, I don’t care!
I read a book by a man who grew up with immense privilege. But that old adage “Money can’t buy happiness” was always gnawing away at my mind. Money also can’t buy affection. Especially when you’re the spare, the extra person in case of death, a container full of parts that may be needed by the heir to the thrown! Real sci-fi kind of shit! I mean they had to pull that idea from somewhere, why not the monarchy!
Harry did not grow up with much affection it sounds like, especially after Diana died. To think she was probably the only one who truly loved him for him is sad AF! He was essentially an employee of the crown. There to work and smile and wave and continue on as a cyborg would. Stiff upper lip and all that!
A lot of what we have read or heard about the family wasn’t true, both good and bad. Harry gave a great deal of insight into how things work and I don’t know how anyone who has grown up with this family would dispute it. We saw it play out with Diana! I also don’t know how people are so quick to believe a media with a very specific agenda! The royals are figureheads the people pulling the strings don’t wear crowns but they certainly benefit from the success and downfall of those they guide. It came across as cultish if I’m being honest.
I found Harry’s story, especially about his time on the military, genuine. His passion for not just the work but also his fellow soldiers was very evident and I cannot help but respect someone who certainly didn’t have to go to war, going because he didn’t see himself as more important than those he served with.
Sure he had a lot of fun and has had experiences most of us can only dream of but to be hunted by the media your entire life doesn’t seem worth it. What he has managed to do in spite of the challenges is impressive. All the good work done by members of the family could do with more attention but alas the public wants the dirt and Harry being a human being provided a lot of it. True or fabricated! What mattered was that it was believable.
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Racism, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death, Car accident, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, War, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Antisemitism
marilwyd's review against another edition
3.5
An enjoyable memoir, while the leaked excerpts were mostly correct, they flowed a lot more within the book. None of it seemed out of place.
I’m not a monarchist/royalist, i firmly believe that they shouldn’t be part in a modern society. I disagree with Harry on a number of things, such as his respect for the monarchy and military. However, I do find it interesting to hear his perspective of these things, on his experience.
I know a lot of people bang on about how he left the royal family for privacy (he didn’t, he left to protect his wife and family from harassed by paps) and now he wrote a book, which is somehow hypocritical. To me it’s obvious that Harry is airing all his dirty laundry so that the tabloids can longer hold it over his head, the stories are told on his terms not some person who calls themselves a ‘royal expert’.
Moderate: Alcohol, Torture, Car accident, Drug use, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Death of parent, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, and War