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A review by megmcreads
Spare by Prince Harry
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
This book is going to be the white/blue dress of books. People will love it or hate it. People who didn’t like Harry going in are going to find ways to hate him more and people who love Harry will find ways to love him more! It’s just a fact of life!
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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