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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
emotional
informative
fast-paced
I do love Harry and Meghan. I love their story, although it's definitely not the ending that the world expected. And this book covers it all in detail, written by two people who were there during the events or had access to people who could tell them what happened. It's extremely well-written and pulls at your heart because it is an emotional story of two people finding their places in an extremely unrealistic life. Just a great book I can see myself revisiting in years to come!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism
Compulsively readable, if more than at times unbelievable and incredulous. This reads like an US weekly or Intouch magazine on the royals, or even Meghan Markle's diary that I'm sure she has been squirreling away her most damaging secrets for years when this book idea came up. It also read like a one-sided propaganda book from Meghan's perspective, and not the unbiased account of a new appointment of the British Royal Family from a seasoned Royal Correspondent. Both of those things are not good and it was more score-settling than anything I have ever read about a royal (although I have not read Andrew Morton's infamous book about Princess Diana). A lot of the descriptions and conversations between people could only have come from Harry and Meghan themselves and if their aim was to gain sainthood from the publication of this book, then I am afraid to be one of the countless scores of people to say that that didn't happen (at least in my estimation). Ex) this book doesn't clear up Meghan's reputation after so-called "Tiara Gate," if anything it made Harry look extremely rude and entitled; "What Meghan wants, Meghan gets" as he supposedly said. Just do yourself a favour and read Chapter 17: Duchess Difficult and try not to burst out laughing
Here are some of the most cringe-enducing lines and passages from this book:
Introduction
"The new parents had worked nonstop, all while under he relentless spotlight that defines what it means to be part of the British royal family."- what nonstop work exactly?
Chapter 3
The infamous packing quote: "Extremely organized, Meghan immediately impressed Harry with her packing skills. She has always taken pride in being a great packer- going as far as layering dryer sheets in between her clothes to keep them smelling fresh and no matter her destination always bringing tea-tree oil for bites, cuts, and pimples- and her skills were appreciated by the prince."
Chapter 4
"They had a little time to think, because there were only a couple of paparazzi in Toronto. (One of them had already texted Meghan to ask if the news was true; she didn't reply.)"- basically admitting that she had paparazzi on speed dial if she needed them for anything *wink wink
Chapter 5
"While Meghan, before she met Harry, had occasionally set up a paparazzi photo here and there or let slip out to the press, she did everything in her power to protect the privacy of her relationship with the prince."
"The few paparazzi images of Meghan taken before she started dating Harry were mostly taken cooperatively."- yet another example of Meghan cooperating with the paparazzi
"Meghan was disappointed she didn't get to meet Kate, who was with the children at Anmer Hall, the couple's Norfolk estate home near Sandringham. But having gotten along so well with Harry's brother, she didn't think much more about that."- if she didn't think more than that, then why are talking about it to your friends and journalists?
Chapter 7
"Despite the fact that Harry was a regular guest in her household, Kate has seemingly not shown much interest in finding out who this woman was who had made her brother-in-law so happy. But that indifference wasn't necessarily directed toward Meghan. "The Duchess is an extremely guarded person," a friend explained." -or maybe she had others more important things to worry about?!
Chapter 8
"They shared the deeper values that are the backbone of a marriage, including the importance of giving back to those less fortunate and being conscientious stewards of the environment. (Extremely eco conscious thanks to the teachings of his father, Harry always avoided plastic wherever possible, including making sure plastic lids weren't put on his coffee or forgoing the plastic wrapping on his dry cleaning.)" - even though you fly on a private jet when it suits you, while simultaneously lecturing us on lowering our carbon footprints
"Theirs was a love story that took hold in Africa- where now Meghan, on the last day of an incredible three-week stay, stretched her body into the perfect warrior pose."- *barf
"The rising sun washed over her makeshift yoga garden, while an exotic flock of birds that looked as if if they had just had their tails dipped in pots of colourful paints serenaded her."- who writes this type of shit?!
Chapter 10
"A moving team had just left, marking furniture with different labels for overseas shipping or storage" - why not ship all your possessions over to England if you plan on staying there permanently?
"Due to Bogs's old age, Meghan was warned that flying seven hours to the UK with him could be dangerous and so he would have to stay behind in Canada with a close friend. (Three years on- and a few visits from his original owner later- and he is still a "very happy dog," a pal shared.)" -I don't buy that for one minute
Chapter 11
"Kate later told reporters at an engagement, "It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together," even though, in reality, the two women still didn't really know each other that well."- throwing Kate under the bus yet again
"At the outset of her romance with Harry, Meghan had fully expected Kate to reach out and give her the lay of the land on everything an outsider to the Firm needed to know. But that was not how things turned out. Meghan was disappointed that she and Kate hadn't bonded over the unique position they shared, but she wasn't losing sleep over it." - you are a grown-ass woman Meghan, do you really need another person who is clearly busy, show you the ropes, when EVERYONE but YOU realized how difficult this position was going to be, and that maybe just maybe, you should have waited more than a year to get engaged to Prince Harry?!
"Harry has long ago accepted the inevitability that any woman he picked to be his wife would be compared to his mother. His sister-in-law, Kate, was also measured against her. The late princess's legacy set a high bar with the British public, and Harry was okay with that. He felt that marrying Meghan, he had picked a partner with the same level of warmth and humanity his mother had possessed." -a high bar indeed
"Her 'work wardrobe,' as she called it, needed to consist of polished pieces in neutral hues that didn't detract from the people she was going to be meeting or appear too showy." - except when she wore that purple and red outfit, or the so-called "farewell tour" outfits in vibrant colours
Chapter 12
"A good friend of Meghan's called her Grace Under Fire, because despite whatever pressure she was under, she didn't fall apart." -this doesn't make her look good and resilient if that was the aim
"Part of what helped Meghan get through this difficult time was her faith. "Her relationship with God and with her church is extremely important to her," a close friend said. "That's something most people do not know about her. It plays a central role in her life, as an individual, as a woman."-So you're telling me that she hadn't gone to church outside of going to a Catholic High School, and now all the sudden she is a devout Anglican in the Church of England?! Give me a break!
Chapter 13
"Sitting in a bath later that night, Facetiming with a friend, the bride-to-be said she had left her dad a final message."I can't sit up all night just pressing send."- so you're telling me that Meghan is okay with her "friend" telling two authors about her private conversations with her dad while she was taking a bath?
Chapter 15
"They were invited to the wedding ceremony and lunchtime reception but didn't make the cut for the evening bash. at brunch the day after the wedding, Skippy told friends, "Meghan has changed Harry too much." His Eton pal said the prince was awed by the likes of the Clooneys and Oprah. "We've lost him," Skippy concluded. Many of Harry's old friends said that the evening guest list was the prince and his bride's way of saying, "These are the people we want in our lives moving forward." -When people show you who they are, believe them
Chapter 16
"Family members had found out about the pregnancy just days prior, at the wedding of Harry's closest cousin. It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who a source said told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news." -Once again Harry and Meghan can't help stealing the spotlight
Chapter 17
"Flowers for her birthday were nice, but Meghan would far rather have had Kate check in on her during the most difficult times with the press." -twisting the knife
"One courtier privately bragged to friends at their ability to place a story, positive or negative, in any publication at the click of a finger, and another told a respected newspaper editor that he could "handle anything after putting up with one of Meghan's temper tantrums." -she isn't the innocent angel she is sometimes made out to be by some when you work closely with her
"It was a far cry from how Harry had envisioned his future. The younger prince once told a friend he had an image of getting married and spending time with William and Kate, the two couples together, their children best friends." - well who's fault is that?
"There was nothing in her Southern California childhood, acting career, or evolution as a feminist advocating for women across the globe to suggest comfort with diamond-encrusted diadems." - continuing to blow smoke up her behind as per usual
Chapter 18
"Prince Charles wanted the split to be cost neutral. But according to aides, William fought to make sure that enough resources were allocated from the budget for the newly established Sussex household to have a proper working space and a suitable communications budget. The Duke of Cambridge knew that the Sussexes were important to the royal family and needed necessary support. And smaller roles for Harry and Meghan would have meant more work for the Cambridges. Over several weeks, William and his dedicated private secretary, Simon Case, attended meetings with senior Buckingham Palace aides to ensure that Harry and Meghan received the best deal possible." -finally they are showing that it does not suit William and his family to have to do more work on behalf of the Firm if Harry and Meghan are able to
Chapter 19
"But while the trip had been a hit with Meghan, senior courtiers back in the UK were spitting out their morning tea when they saw her lavish baby shower through by friends turn into a media circus with what looked like carefully stage-managed paparazzi walks of the duchess in big black sunglasses from her hotel to her car and a laundry list of insider party details reported by US press. "It's fair to say that the optics of the somewhat flashy shower did not go down well with certain individuals at the Palace," a senior aided revealed. Meghan was often criticized for being too Hollywood, meaning too flashy. Especially for the reserved aesthetic of the monarchy. "I think a few people that had defended her over the months felt a little disappointed. But sometimes in this role you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Ultimately, the trip was just Meghan's friends celebrating a really exciting moment in her life." - this started out as a fair criticism of her behaviour, where she could have had a private baby shower; this is a prime example of the authors pulling punches when they didn't need to be pulled
Chapter 21
"A firestorm erupted over the so-called hypocrisy of the prince, seemingly touting the virtues of conversation while flying on gas-guzzling private jets. Not to mention the fact that the Sussexes had decided against a trip to visit the Queen at balmoral with Archie earlier in the summer, reportedly saying the infant was too young for the travel. Some of the press latched on to this, calling it a snub instead." -pulling punches and excusing bad behaviour yet again
"With the controversy reaching its apex just days before the launch of Travalyst, the sustainable-tourism initiative he had been working on for most of the year, Harry regretted not heeding the advice of Sara. She had warned him about a potential media storm if he flew back on a private jet from Google Camp, which he attended to preview Travalyst. The earnest prince was the first one to admit when he made a mistake."
"Harry, who wanted to do so much in the world, was growing frustrated that he and Meghan often took a backseat to other family members' initiatives and priorities. While they both repeated the hierarchy of the institution, it was difficult when they wanted to focus on a particular project and were told that a more senior ranking family member, be it Prince William or Prince Charles, had an initiative or tour being announced at the same time-so they would just have to wait." -how does Harry not know after growing up a royal his entire life that he is not constitutionally important
Chapter 22
"The couple decided that for the second half of November and all of December they would base themselves in Canada. They considered going to the United States but felt a Commonwealth location was more appropriate at the time." -so that they could look like they weren't going to make a lot of money trading on their royal status and titles in Hollywood right after leaving you mean?
"She didn't quit when she signed up for a task." - except her first marriage, her very short time in the Firm
"The Palace scrambled to figure out if all of the requirements in the couple's roadmap could even work logistically, including having the "future" financial autonomy to work externally." This was very different from the simple idea of spending more time abroad that had originally been presented. There were security and funding issues, tax implications, and visas. How could they legally take on commercial endeavours and still represent the Queen?"
"Even a source close to the couple admitted that while Harry and Meghan had put a lot of thought into this immense transition, they could also be "impatient and impulsive." "They run hot in a way," the source said. "The reactions in individual moments are definitely not the same, a month, a few weeks, down the line." -the shade
Chapter 24
"It was so unnecessary," Meghan later told a friend of the decision to strip Harry of his military honors. "And it's not just taking something away from him; it's also that military veteran community. you can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers [of the institution] are unfortunately greater than me." -that last bit sounds like a robot learning to speak english for the first time, its almost as if she knew someone was going to write it into a book someday
"away from the noise back home, felt good." -anytime they use the word "noise" it comes straight from Meghan herself
Author's Note
"all information featured in this book has at least two sources." -Harry and Meghan
Here are some of the most cringe-enducing lines and passages from this book:
Introduction
"The new parents had worked nonstop, all while under he relentless spotlight that defines what it means to be part of the British royal family."- what nonstop work exactly?
Chapter 3
The infamous packing quote: "Extremely organized, Meghan immediately impressed Harry with her packing skills. She has always taken pride in being a great packer- going as far as layering dryer sheets in between her clothes to keep them smelling fresh and no matter her destination always bringing tea-tree oil for bites, cuts, and pimples- and her skills were appreciated by the prince."
Chapter 4
"They had a little time to think, because there were only a couple of paparazzi in Toronto. (One of them had already texted Meghan to ask if the news was true; she didn't reply.)"- basically admitting that she had paparazzi on speed dial if she needed them for anything *wink wink
Chapter 5
"While Meghan, before she met Harry, had occasionally set up a paparazzi photo here and there or let slip out to the press, she did everything in her power to protect the privacy of her relationship with the prince."
"The few paparazzi images of Meghan taken before she started dating Harry were mostly taken cooperatively."- yet another example of Meghan cooperating with the paparazzi
"Meghan was disappointed she didn't get to meet Kate, who was with the children at Anmer Hall, the couple's Norfolk estate home near Sandringham. But having gotten along so well with Harry's brother, she didn't think much more about that."- if she didn't think more than that, then why are talking about it to your friends and journalists?
Chapter 7
"Despite the fact that Harry was a regular guest in her household, Kate has seemingly not shown much interest in finding out who this woman was who had made her brother-in-law so happy. But that indifference wasn't necessarily directed toward Meghan. "The Duchess is an extremely guarded person," a friend explained." -or maybe she had others more important things to worry about?!
Chapter 8
"They shared the deeper values that are the backbone of a marriage, including the importance of giving back to those less fortunate and being conscientious stewards of the environment. (Extremely eco conscious thanks to the teachings of his father, Harry always avoided plastic wherever possible, including making sure plastic lids weren't put on his coffee or forgoing the plastic wrapping on his dry cleaning.)" - even though you fly on a private jet when it suits you, while simultaneously lecturing us on lowering our carbon footprints
"Theirs was a love story that took hold in Africa- where now Meghan, on the last day of an incredible three-week stay, stretched her body into the perfect warrior pose."- *barf
"The rising sun washed over her makeshift yoga garden, while an exotic flock of birds that looked as if if they had just had their tails dipped in pots of colourful paints serenaded her."- who writes this type of shit?!
Chapter 10
"A moving team had just left, marking furniture with different labels for overseas shipping or storage" - why not ship all your possessions over to England if you plan on staying there permanently?
"Due to Bogs's old age, Meghan was warned that flying seven hours to the UK with him could be dangerous and so he would have to stay behind in Canada with a close friend. (Three years on- and a few visits from his original owner later- and he is still a "very happy dog," a pal shared.)" -I don't buy that for one minute
Chapter 11
"Kate later told reporters at an engagement, "It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together," even though, in reality, the two women still didn't really know each other that well."- throwing Kate under the bus yet again
"At the outset of her romance with Harry, Meghan had fully expected Kate to reach out and give her the lay of the land on everything an outsider to the Firm needed to know. But that was not how things turned out. Meghan was disappointed that she and Kate hadn't bonded over the unique position they shared, but she wasn't losing sleep over it." - you are a grown-ass woman Meghan, do you really need another person who is clearly busy, show you the ropes, when EVERYONE but YOU realized how difficult this position was going to be, and that maybe just maybe, you should have waited more than a year to get engaged to Prince Harry?!
"Harry has long ago accepted the inevitability that any woman he picked to be his wife would be compared to his mother. His sister-in-law, Kate, was also measured against her. The late princess's legacy set a high bar with the British public, and Harry was okay with that. He felt that marrying Meghan, he had picked a partner with the same level of warmth and humanity his mother had possessed." -a high bar indeed
"Her 'work wardrobe,' as she called it, needed to consist of polished pieces in neutral hues that didn't detract from the people she was going to be meeting or appear too showy." - except when she wore that purple and red outfit, or the so-called "farewell tour" outfits in vibrant colours
Chapter 12
"A good friend of Meghan's called her Grace Under Fire, because despite whatever pressure she was under, she didn't fall apart." -this doesn't make her look good and resilient if that was the aim
"Part of what helped Meghan get through this difficult time was her faith. "Her relationship with God and with her church is extremely important to her," a close friend said. "That's something most people do not know about her. It plays a central role in her life, as an individual, as a woman."-So you're telling me that she hadn't gone to church outside of going to a Catholic High School, and now all the sudden she is a devout Anglican in the Church of England?! Give me a break!
Chapter 13
"Sitting in a bath later that night, Facetiming with a friend, the bride-to-be said she had left her dad a final message."I can't sit up all night just pressing send."- so you're telling me that Meghan is okay with her "friend" telling two authors about her private conversations with her dad while she was taking a bath?
Chapter 15
"They were invited to the wedding ceremony and lunchtime reception but didn't make the cut for the evening bash. at brunch the day after the wedding, Skippy told friends, "Meghan has changed Harry too much." His Eton pal said the prince was awed by the likes of the Clooneys and Oprah. "We've lost him," Skippy concluded. Many of Harry's old friends said that the evening guest list was the prince and his bride's way of saying, "These are the people we want in our lives moving forward." -When people show you who they are, believe them
Chapter 16
"Family members had found out about the pregnancy just days prior, at the wedding of Harry's closest cousin. It did not go down particularly well with Eugenie, who a source said told friends she felt the couple should have waited to share the news." -Once again Harry and Meghan can't help stealing the spotlight
Chapter 17
"Flowers for her birthday were nice, but Meghan would far rather have had Kate check in on her during the most difficult times with the press." -twisting the knife
"One courtier privately bragged to friends at their ability to place a story, positive or negative, in any publication at the click of a finger, and another told a respected newspaper editor that he could "handle anything after putting up with one of Meghan's temper tantrums." -she isn't the innocent angel she is sometimes made out to be by some when you work closely with her
"It was a far cry from how Harry had envisioned his future. The younger prince once told a friend he had an image of getting married and spending time with William and Kate, the two couples together, their children best friends." - well who's fault is that?
"There was nothing in her Southern California childhood, acting career, or evolution as a feminist advocating for women across the globe to suggest comfort with diamond-encrusted diadems." - continuing to blow smoke up her behind as per usual
Chapter 18
"Prince Charles wanted the split to be cost neutral. But according to aides, William fought to make sure that enough resources were allocated from the budget for the newly established Sussex household to have a proper working space and a suitable communications budget. The Duke of Cambridge knew that the Sussexes were important to the royal family and needed necessary support. And smaller roles for Harry and Meghan would have meant more work for the Cambridges. Over several weeks, William and his dedicated private secretary, Simon Case, attended meetings with senior Buckingham Palace aides to ensure that Harry and Meghan received the best deal possible." -finally they are showing that it does not suit William and his family to have to do more work on behalf of the Firm if Harry and Meghan are able to
Chapter 19
"But while the trip had been a hit with Meghan, senior courtiers back in the UK were spitting out their morning tea when they saw her lavish baby shower through by friends turn into a media circus with what looked like carefully stage-managed paparazzi walks of the duchess in big black sunglasses from her hotel to her car and a laundry list of insider party details reported by US press. "It's fair to say that the optics of the somewhat flashy shower did not go down well with certain individuals at the Palace," a senior aided revealed. Meghan was often criticized for being too Hollywood, meaning too flashy. Especially for the reserved aesthetic of the monarchy. "I think a few people that had defended her over the months felt a little disappointed. But sometimes in this role you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Ultimately, the trip was just Meghan's friends celebrating a really exciting moment in her life." - this started out as a fair criticism of her behaviour, where she could have had a private baby shower; this is a prime example of the authors pulling punches when they didn't need to be pulled
Chapter 21
"A firestorm erupted over the so-called hypocrisy of the prince, seemingly touting the virtues of conversation while flying on gas-guzzling private jets. Not to mention the fact that the Sussexes had decided against a trip to visit the Queen at balmoral with Archie earlier in the summer, reportedly saying the infant was too young for the travel. Some of the press latched on to this, calling it a snub instead." -pulling punches and excusing bad behaviour yet again
"With the controversy reaching its apex just days before the launch of Travalyst, the sustainable-tourism initiative he had been working on for most of the year, Harry regretted not heeding the advice of Sara. She had warned him about a potential media storm if he flew back on a private jet from Google Camp, which he attended to preview Travalyst. The earnest prince was the first one to admit when he made a mistake."
"Harry, who wanted to do so much in the world, was growing frustrated that he and Meghan often took a backseat to other family members' initiatives and priorities. While they both repeated the hierarchy of the institution, it was difficult when they wanted to focus on a particular project and were told that a more senior ranking family member, be it Prince William or Prince Charles, had an initiative or tour being announced at the same time-so they would just have to wait." -how does Harry not know after growing up a royal his entire life that he is not constitutionally important
Chapter 22
"The couple decided that for the second half of November and all of December they would base themselves in Canada. They considered going to the United States but felt a Commonwealth location was more appropriate at the time." -so that they could look like they weren't going to make a lot of money trading on their royal status and titles in Hollywood right after leaving you mean?
"She didn't quit when she signed up for a task." - except her first marriage, her very short time in the Firm
"The Palace scrambled to figure out if all of the requirements in the couple's roadmap could even work logistically, including having the "future" financial autonomy to work externally." This was very different from the simple idea of spending more time abroad that had originally been presented. There were security and funding issues, tax implications, and visas. How could they legally take on commercial endeavours and still represent the Queen?"
"Even a source close to the couple admitted that while Harry and Meghan had put a lot of thought into this immense transition, they could also be "impatient and impulsive." "They run hot in a way," the source said. "The reactions in individual moments are definitely not the same, a month, a few weeks, down the line." -the shade
Chapter 24
"It was so unnecessary," Meghan later told a friend of the decision to strip Harry of his military honors. "And it's not just taking something away from him; it's also that military veteran community. you can see how much he means to them, too. So why? The powers [of the institution] are unfortunately greater than me." -that last bit sounds like a robot learning to speak english for the first time, its almost as if she knew someone was going to write it into a book someday
"away from the noise back home, felt good." -anytime they use the word "noise" it comes straight from Meghan herself
Author's Note
"all information featured in this book has at least two sources." -Harry and Meghan
informative
medium-paced
I recognize that, should a person or persons choose to write a biography on a person or persons, they are generally doing it because they have strong feelings one way or another about them. However, this book comes on *so* strong. Outside of one instance of Harry and Megan being "a bit impulsive," each decision they've made has been the best and they've always been the wronged. I don't have an issue with Harry and Megan. I enjoy their story quite a bit and feel incredibly sympathetic towards them. However, the authors' choice to lay it on *so* thick throughout this book makes me distrust the authors' ability to tell the actual story. For all I know, it did happen exactly like this. But I'd rather have spent my time getting to know these two figures as real people rather than the airbrushed version I feel like these authors have painted.
OK. Here's the thing. I picked up this book for research for a project I'm working on. I hadn't planned on reading it so soon (it came out this week), but after I read a chapter, I couldn't stop. I finished it in two days, which is really fast for me. It's engaging, has commercial appeal, and reads a lot like an exposé, which it kind of is. I learned a lot, and I will forever be Team Meghan.
However.
There were a TON of grammatical errors and typos, some even quite egregious. At one point Princess Diana's death was referred to as having taken place in 1996 on page 181 (it was clearly a typo, and they got the year right at numerous other points in the text, and not a misinterpretation of fact, but still), and another that referred to Harry as being 36 in January of 2020- he doesn't turn 36 until THIS Fall. This book has been getting lots of buzz and attention, and it is widely believed to be credible, and I believe that it is credible. But. With so many typos and mistaking the year of Princess Diana's death, I think many people will find it very difficult to take this book seriously, and I can't blame them. This book was announced months ago, but it was clearly only JUST finished, referring to COVID and quarantine within the text of the book that wasn't the introduction or epilogue, and it even discusses things that took place after this book, with its cover and synopsis, was announced. It needed another round of edits. And this has to effect the rating I give it, because there's no excuse to get the year of Princess Diana's death wrong, none whatsoever.
However.
There were a TON of grammatical errors and typos, some even quite egregious. At one point Princess Diana's death was referred to as having taken place in 1996 on page 181 (it was clearly a typo, and they got the year right at numerous other points in the text, and not a misinterpretation of fact, but still), and another that referred to Harry as being 36 in January of 2020- he doesn't turn 36 until THIS Fall. This book has been getting lots of buzz and attention, and it is widely believed to be credible, and I believe that it is credible. But. With so many typos and mistaking the year of Princess Diana's death, I think many people will find it very difficult to take this book seriously, and I can't blame them. This book was announced months ago, but it was clearly only JUST finished, referring to COVID and quarantine within the text of the book that wasn't the introduction or epilogue, and it even discusses things that took place after this book, with its cover and synopsis, was announced. It needed another round of edits. And this has to effect the rating I give it, because there's no excuse to get the year of Princess Diana's death wrong, none whatsoever.
informative
medium-paced
medium-paced
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
** I wish to start this review by saying that I have long been fascinated by the royal families of the world and the British Royal Family is certainly a part of that interest. While I am firmly of the opinion that our world is not a place for monarchies, I also respect the tradition and history of such a figurehead. The titles that come with royalty are also a notable way to bring attention to important global efforts and the shine of the Sussex's was/is no different.
This review will focus on writing of the authors and not on the subject matter as far too many people have elected to preemptively judge the Sussex's themselves instead of the actual writing.**
That said, for so-called celebrated journalists, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have crafted a poorly written biography that does not achieve what they say they're goal is: to set the record straight and give an accurate reflection of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The final authors note dictates that their writing is based on interviews with hundreds of people around the Sussex family and at times, they themselves. As long time royal reporters, I imagine that the conversations that they may have had with the couple were not directly intended for this book, that those conversations were a part of a natural navigation of their other duties. That assumption, in connection with statements made by the couple, suggest that they gave no actual interview with the intent of being included in this work.
Therefore there are many questions to be had regarding many of the scenes depicted in this work. For example, one chapter discusses the couple on a private getaway to Africa away from reporters and without friends. The book intimately describes the Duchess of Sussex practicing yoga and goes so far as to describe her body as she does so. My first question is why was such an invasive scene necessary? And then, how did this scene come to be? If there were no reporters or photographers present, how did the writers of this book know that this took place? Did an aide speaking off the record truly need to discuss this with a reporter? Did the Duke or Duchess themselves describe this early morning yoga session to someone? Or the writers assume/make it up?
Other scenes from this book elicit similar questions as the work fails to read as a biography and more akin to Lifetime Original movie script with overly poetic details of inner most thoughts and intentions. Aside from that, the work fails to describe the couple as relatable as was the intent of the book to begin with. In basic character development of fictional characters, the most rewarding characters are those who are flawed but for whom their good far outweighs the bad. We the audience cannot really understand all of the personalities involved in this story unless the entire Royal Family were to release a jointly written and approved account (which they won't nor should; so many family matters should stay private).
Scobie and Durand however write the Duchess of Sussex without any relatable flaw whatsoever and the Duke of Sussex is written as occasionally hot-headed but only as a result of his unsung passion. His past mistakes are disguised as youthful indiscretions. A book of mistake after mistake would not be beneficial nor necessary as one only has to look at twists and turns in tabloids for that but if the intent of this book was to tell the Sussex side of the story, that they are not snobbish nor self-centered as gossip suggests, then casting them as absolutely perfect characters does not further their cause. The poor writing of this book does not help them.
This review will focus on writing of the authors and not on the subject matter as far too many people have elected to preemptively judge the Sussex's themselves instead of the actual writing.**
That said, for so-called celebrated journalists, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand have crafted a poorly written biography that does not achieve what they say they're goal is: to set the record straight and give an accurate reflection of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The final authors note dictates that their writing is based on interviews with hundreds of people around the Sussex family and at times, they themselves. As long time royal reporters, I imagine that the conversations that they may have had with the couple were not directly intended for this book, that those conversations were a part of a natural navigation of their other duties. That assumption, in connection with statements made by the couple, suggest that they gave no actual interview with the intent of being included in this work.
Therefore there are many questions to be had regarding many of the scenes depicted in this work. For example, one chapter discusses the couple on a private getaway to Africa away from reporters and without friends. The book intimately describes the Duchess of Sussex practicing yoga and goes so far as to describe her body as she does so. My first question is why was such an invasive scene necessary? And then, how did this scene come to be? If there were no reporters or photographers present, how did the writers of this book know that this took place? Did an aide speaking off the record truly need to discuss this with a reporter? Did the Duke or Duchess themselves describe this early morning yoga session to someone? Or the writers assume/make it up?
Other scenes from this book elicit similar questions as the work fails to read as a biography and more akin to Lifetime Original movie script with overly poetic details of inner most thoughts and intentions. Aside from that, the work fails to describe the couple as relatable as was the intent of the book to begin with. In basic character development of fictional characters, the most rewarding characters are those who are flawed but for whom their good far outweighs the bad. We the audience cannot really understand all of the personalities involved in this story unless the entire Royal Family were to release a jointly written and approved account (which they won't nor should; so many family matters should stay private).
Scobie and Durand however write the Duchess of Sussex without any relatable flaw whatsoever and the Duke of Sussex is written as occasionally hot-headed but only as a result of his unsung passion. His past mistakes are disguised as youthful indiscretions. A book of mistake after mistake would not be beneficial nor necessary as one only has to look at twists and turns in tabloids for that but if the intent of this book was to tell the Sussex side of the story, that they are not snobbish nor self-centered as gossip suggests, then casting them as absolutely perfect characters does not further their cause. The poor writing of this book does not help them.
Fascinating inside baseball on the relationship between two wonderful people.