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369 reviews for:
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family
Omid Scobie, Carolyn Durand
3.25 AVERAGE
369 reviews for:
Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family
Omid Scobie, Carolyn Durand
3.25 AVERAGE
Finding Freedom
What’s on my nightstand this morning? Coffee of course, and a little royal gossip. I’ve just finished Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand’s Harry and Meghan tell-all, Finding Freedom. Omid hosts a podcast called the HeirPod (get it?!) which I have been listening to for a number of years, and Carolyn Durand is another well-respected journalist and royal watcher.
This book is a must-read for Harry and Meghan fans, as it takes a more balanced and empathetic approach to H & M than how they have been portrayed in the tabloid press. The authors are granted access to their close confidants, staff and even the Sussexes themselves, and the book has the opportunity to correct the record with regards to some incidents where the Sussexes were portrayed badly. That being said, the book is critical of the couple where they deserve such criticism.
Disappointments: I have a few. I wanted more dirt on their November 2019 exodus (fun fact: they came to my hometown of Saanich!) and I formation on their upcoming plans, but we learn nothing new there. A more minor frustration is that this book - at least the Kindle edition I read - needed another edit. There are a number of typos in the text and weird grammatical choices that read quite oddly. There were enough of these that I felt I had to point them out. Omid Scobie is so well spoken when I’ve listened to his podcast or seen him on TV, that I was surprised at some of the strangeness.
Still, a super quick, fun soapy read - recommended for your last few beach reads of the summer!
What’s on my nightstand this morning? Coffee of course, and a little royal gossip. I’ve just finished Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand’s Harry and Meghan tell-all, Finding Freedom. Omid hosts a podcast called the HeirPod (get it?!) which I have been listening to for a number of years, and Carolyn Durand is another well-respected journalist and royal watcher.
This book is a must-read for Harry and Meghan fans, as it takes a more balanced and empathetic approach to H & M than how they have been portrayed in the tabloid press. The authors are granted access to their close confidants, staff and even the Sussexes themselves, and the book has the opportunity to correct the record with regards to some incidents where the Sussexes were portrayed badly. That being said, the book is critical of the couple where they deserve such criticism.
Disappointments: I have a few. I wanted more dirt on their November 2019 exodus (fun fact: they came to my hometown of Saanich!) and I formation on their upcoming plans, but we learn nothing new there. A more minor frustration is that this book - at least the Kindle edition I read - needed another edit. There are a number of typos in the text and weird grammatical choices that read quite oddly. There were enough of these that I felt I had to point them out. Omid Scobie is so well spoken when I’ve listened to his podcast or seen him on TV, that I was surprised at some of the strangeness.
Still, a super quick, fun soapy read - recommended for your last few beach reads of the summer!
There is an innate fascination with the Royal Family, especially that of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. I’m not gonna lie, I’m one of those people. I love alllll things Royal, but especially Meghan Markle’s puzzle piece and how she fits into the family. I’ve felt sad for her because she seems to have gotten a bad rap and the media is absolutely relentless when it comes to criticizing her. Finding Freedom was a journalistic piecing together of the behind the scenes of what really went on with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the Royal Family. Written by two journalists close to the Royal Family, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, this book read as a fair portrayal of the timeline when Meghan and Prince Harry met and what led up to their eventual departure from being senior Royals.
As an ex-journalist, I have a ton of respect for journalists (although not everyone these days respects the media and I can understand why at times) and was super intrigued to see how much the book would cover in depth and if there would be legitimate sources. I was pleased to see that Scobie and Durand did a fantastic job journalistically, factually covering the behind the scenes of Meghan and Prince Harry’s life. I loved reading their perspective and had a newfound respect for the Royal couple, but I also felt super sad for them and how they were treated by the Royal institution. I don’t want to give too much away, but it really did seem like they were discounted and pushed around and it didn’t seem totally fair.
I’m more of a fiction kinda girl, but I do particularly love non-fiction when done well, and I was super impressed with Finding Freedom. Again, it gave a thorough timeline, read smoothly and was seemingly accurate. I loved learning more about the power couple and it increased my love for them exponentially!
As an ex-journalist, I have a ton of respect for journalists (although not everyone these days respects the media and I can understand why at times) and was super intrigued to see how much the book would cover in depth and if there would be legitimate sources. I was pleased to see that Scobie and Durand did a fantastic job journalistically, factually covering the behind the scenes of Meghan and Prince Harry’s life. I loved reading their perspective and had a newfound respect for the Royal couple, but I also felt super sad for them and how they were treated by the Royal institution. I don’t want to give too much away, but it really did seem like they were discounted and pushed around and it didn’t seem totally fair.
I’m more of a fiction kinda girl, but I do particularly love non-fiction when done well, and I was super impressed with Finding Freedom. Again, it gave a thorough timeline, read smoothly and was seemingly accurate. I loved learning more about the power couple and it increased my love for them exponentially!
Basically a 350-page People article. Thoroughly entertaining. No new info. If Meghan didn’t co-write this, I’ll eat my hat.
Absolutely dreadful. I’m embarrassed to have wasted my time reading this, but fear not because I slogged through it so you don’t have to. Save your money and your time. If you wanted to find out any new information (my motivation) you won’t because it’s all out there in the media. I’m now putting my mild interest in this couple to bed because I no longer care what they do.
Note: My friend lent me her copy of this book because she knows I have an interest in the media storm that has surrounded MM and Prince Harry stepping down as royals. I am not well educated in royal culture, nor do I know (or understand) royal etiquette. I know the basics, and I always enjoy looking at the wedding dresses chosen for royal weddings. Prior to her life as a royal, I did really enjoy watching MM on Suits as Rachel Zane - and I will admit I 100% had a crush on the character. That aside, I would not say I am a "fan" of either MM or the royal family.
Book content aside, I agree with the authors (and MM and Prince Harry) that the racism towards MM during her time as a royal is inexcusable. It is disgusting and unacceptable. There is no place for that here.
Now, on to the review.
The first thing I noticed as I got into this book was the excessive casual name dropping. Seriously, it is absolutely everywhere and is never necessary. There will be a mention of a brand MM likes and it will be followed by "this brand is also liked by Madonna and Beyonce!!" Not only is this unnecessary, but it feels forced. It feels like the authors are pushing SO hard to prove to everyone that MM is classy and "just like everyone else!!" I decided to keep a running total of all the name dropping throughout the book and we ended with a total of 102 names. And this tally does not account for the fact that many of these celebrities are named multiple times throughout the book - just that they were named at least once.
The authors refer to Africa as a country. How in the HELL did no editor pick this up?! Was this edited by anyone other than MM and Prince Harry? HOW are you publishing a book and do not know that Africa is not a country.
I am 99.99% convinced MM and Prince Harry ghost wrote this book. It was so self-indulgent that there is no way that two "objective" journalists wrote the book in this tone. (I say "objective" because Scobie is a well-known pal of MM's.) The entire book is written as "why me!! This is so unfair!!"
This book is petty. There are casual, not-so-subtle digs at Kate, William, and other royals throughout the entire book. I'm not saying these people are innocent, but I do think it is unfair to paint them in a petty picture to get the point across. You can state objective facts without being petty. For example, I was really off put but the comment that Kate never had "career aspirations"....unlike Meghan. The whole way it was written made Kate look like an idiot or subpar in relation to someone wanting a career. Who cares!! Some people want a career, others don't! There is nothing wrong with either as long as you mind your own business and do something productive with your time.
In addition to petty, this book puts all of the blame on other people. At absolutely no point in this book is there any reference to MM or Prince Harry taking accountability for their actions. I do not believe they are blameless in all of this.
Ultimately... Do I think MM has tipped off the press on multiple occasions? Yes. Do I believe she deserves to be the subject of blatant racism? Hell no. While she chose to leak tidbits to the press she does not deserve to have all of that come back and focus on her race, or her gender. It is disgusting. I know some people have the mentality that she has "asked for it" but here's what I think: She asked for the attention, but not the overt, blatant racism and sexism and that is where I feel badly for her. It is unfair that so much of her has come to rest on her race and gender, and that is both unfair and unwarranted.
Content aside, this book is simply not well written. It is choppy and doesn't flow well. Chapters end on bizarre cliffhangers. There are content errors (i.e., Africa being a country). The majority of my 1 star rating stems from the fact that this book was quickly written and published, and it shows in the final product.
Book content aside, I agree with the authors (and MM and Prince Harry) that the racism towards MM during her time as a royal is inexcusable. It is disgusting and unacceptable. There is no place for that here.
Now, on to the review.
The first thing I noticed as I got into this book was the excessive casual name dropping. Seriously, it is absolutely everywhere and is never necessary. There will be a mention of a brand MM likes and it will be followed by "this brand is also liked by Madonna and Beyonce!!" Not only is this unnecessary, but it feels forced. It feels like the authors are pushing SO hard to prove to everyone that MM is classy and "just like everyone else!!" I decided to keep a running total of all the name dropping throughout the book and we ended with a total of 102 names. And this tally does not account for the fact that many of these celebrities are named multiple times throughout the book - just that they were named at least once.
The authors refer to Africa as a country. How in the HELL did no editor pick this up?! Was this edited by anyone other than MM and Prince Harry? HOW are you publishing a book and do not know that Africa is not a country.
I am 99.99% convinced MM and Prince Harry ghost wrote this book. It was so self-indulgent that there is no way that two "objective" journalists wrote the book in this tone. (I say "objective" because Scobie is a well-known pal of MM's.) The entire book is written as "why me!! This is so unfair!!"
This book is petty. There are casual, not-so-subtle digs at Kate, William, and other royals throughout the entire book. I'm not saying these people are innocent, but I do think it is unfair to paint them in a petty picture to get the point across. You can state objective facts without being petty. For example, I was really off put but the comment that Kate never had "career aspirations"....unlike Meghan. The whole way it was written made Kate look like an idiot or subpar in relation to someone wanting a career. Who cares!! Some people want a career, others don't! There is nothing wrong with either as long as you mind your own business and do something productive with your time.
In addition to petty, this book puts all of the blame on other people. At absolutely no point in this book is there any reference to MM or Prince Harry taking accountability for their actions. I do not believe they are blameless in all of this.
Ultimately... Do I think MM has tipped off the press on multiple occasions? Yes. Do I believe she deserves to be the subject of blatant racism? Hell no. While she chose to leak tidbits to the press she does not deserve to have all of that come back and focus on her race, or her gender. It is disgusting. I know some people have the mentality that she has "asked for it" but here's what I think: She asked for the attention, but not the overt, blatant racism and sexism and that is where I feel badly for her. It is unfair that so much of her has come to rest on her race and gender, and that is both unfair and unwarranted.
Content aside, this book is simply not well written. It is choppy and doesn't flow well. Chapters end on bizarre cliffhangers. There are content errors (i.e., Africa being a country). The majority of my 1 star rating stems from the fact that this book was quickly written and published, and it shows in the final product.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Took about 300 pages to get to the good stuff and the good stuff was not that good. If I wasn’t so deep in, I would’ve abandoned this book.
I really am interested in Harry and Meghan’s side of the story, but I didn’t feel like this provided that insight. Instead, there was a lot of info on who met in what room and extremely detailed notes (I get it, you take detailed notes but I’m looking for more narrative and emotion).
“The indignation over Meghan’s nail polish was indicative of a bigger issue. It was open season on Meghan, with many looking for anything and everything to criticize.”
I really am interested in Harry and Meghan’s side of the story, but I didn’t feel like this provided that insight. Instead, there was a lot of info on who met in what room and extremely detailed notes (I get it, you take detailed notes but I’m looking for more narrative and emotion).
“The indignation over Meghan’s nail polish was indicative of a bigger issue. It was open season on Meghan, with many looking for anything and everything to criticize.”
Absolute drivel. Don't waste your money. The quote they open the book with isn't even by Ralph Waldo Emerson, how can we trust that they fact checked anything else in the book.
As a brit, I was curious to read this and find out "their side of the story". I borrowed the book from a friend so I didn't have to spend money on what has turned out to be loo paper with words written on it. This book reads just like her blog, and should have Meghan listed as one of the authors-she obviously played a huge role in writing this. It's full of sappy praise and stories about just how amazing Meghan is, and cuts down every other member of the royal family, especially Catherine. One of the most anti-feminist, judgemental, self serving books I've ever read.
Don't bother even picking up the book, unless you want to feel better about your own moral character.
As a brit, I was curious to read this and find out "their side of the story". I borrowed the book from a friend so I didn't have to spend money on what has turned out to be loo paper with words written on it. This book reads just like her blog, and should have Meghan listed as one of the authors-she obviously played a huge role in writing this. It's full of sappy praise and stories about just how amazing Meghan is, and cuts down every other member of the royal family, especially Catherine. One of the most anti-feminist, judgemental, self serving books I've ever read.
Don't bother even picking up the book, unless you want to feel better about your own moral character.
Utter nonsense but exactly what my pandemic warped brain needed. This was like candy. Totally biased (towards the Sussexes, but so am I) and doesn’t include anything that hasn’t already been published. I was disappointed in the lack of detail around their planning to leave, but I assume there was very little from the public record to pull from there. Super sloppy - actually typos found throughout - but still loved it. The perfect book to zone out to.
I hope Meghan was a secret source for the authors because otherwise she owes them a debt for making up this utterly fawning portrait. Did you know that Meghan was so kind, so smart, so charitable in her high school days that the other girls thought (wrongly of course) that such perfection must be fake? Did you know that the other Suitcase Girls on Deal or No Deal gossiped and chatted, while Perfect Meghan spent her breaks studying scripts and prepped for auditions? Meghan is a omni-talented goddess and the authors never let you forget it.
Any of Meghan's missteps and bad decisions are glossed over or excused in this book. Harry is portrayed as slightly less perfect, but thanks to Meghan's influence he quickly gains the courage to seek his "freedom." Freedom, of course, means trading a life of luxury and very little responsibility for a life of even more luxury and absolutely no responsibility. The book does feel a bit of unfinished, since there are still ongoing lawsuits, contradictory reports about ownership of their British home, deals with Netflix, and rumors of another pregnancy. Harry and Meghan are the gifts that will keep giving for years.
I'm giving this book 3 stars because, even though the writing style and subject matter were both vacuous, the overwrought prose kept me amused to the end.
Any of Meghan's missteps and bad decisions are glossed over or excused in this book. Harry is portrayed as slightly less perfect, but thanks to Meghan's influence he quickly gains the courage to seek his "freedom." Freedom, of course, means trading a life of luxury and very little responsibility for a life of even more luxury and absolutely no responsibility. The book does feel a bit of unfinished, since there are still ongoing lawsuits, contradictory reports about ownership of their British home, deals with Netflix, and rumors of another pregnancy. Harry and Meghan are the gifts that will keep giving for years.
I'm giving this book 3 stars because, even though the writing style and subject matter were both vacuous, the overwrought prose kept me amused to the end.