Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bluerobyn123 's review for:
Spare
by Prince Harry
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, this man lost his mother at a young age and was surrounding about people emotionally unavailable to help him grieve. Moreover, the aggressive paparazzi directly lead to Diana's death, which of course meant that Harry would always have an antagonistic relationships with the paps. His family come across as completely incapable of displaying basic sense of humanity for one another, because being royalty was more important than being affectionate. Plus, the courtiers who work at the palace seem to exacerbate rather than assist in every situation. It's easy to feel sorry for Harry.
All that being said, the tone rings of "poor little privileged prince." Some of the his stories are only possible because he is royalty, famous by chance of birth. While it's not right that anyone be treated so shabbily, especially by one's family, he still makes startlingly poor choices at times. How can anyone think wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party was a good idea? How out of touch are you?! Strip poker and assume no one is going to take and sell photos? Hmm...
And then there are the travels: "I flew to Botswana to get my head straight and get away from the press." Not everyone who feels overwhelmed gets the chance to escape halfway around the world. Yes, the aggressive press is terrifying, far too entitled, and puts Harry and his family at risk (all while the palace shrug). But he never goes without food or shelter, or a night without heat. He never has to make those choices between eating or paying rent.
So yeah, mixed feelings. If the reader fully recognizes the extraordinary context of the author's life, then feel all the feelings. But take the biography for what it is.... the complicated life of a royal.
All that being said, the tone rings of "poor little privileged prince." Some of the his stories are only possible because he is royalty, famous by chance of birth. While it's not right that anyone be treated so shabbily, especially by one's family, he still makes startlingly poor choices at times. How can anyone think wearing a Nazi uniform to a costume party was a good idea? How out of touch are you?! Strip poker and assume no one is going to take and sell photos? Hmm...
And then there are the travels: "I flew to Botswana to get my head straight and get away from the press." Not everyone who feels overwhelmed gets the chance to escape halfway around the world. Yes, the aggressive press is terrifying, far too entitled, and puts Harry and his family at risk (all while the palace shrug). But he never goes without food or shelter, or a night without heat. He never has to make those choices between eating or paying rent.
So yeah, mixed feelings. If the reader fully recognizes the extraordinary context of the author's life, then feel all the feelings. But take the biography for what it is.... the complicated life of a royal.