Successfully, after 3 long days, the memoir is completed. “Spare” was a hard task to go through, but I had to. Maybe because I wanted to find answers to my questions or to answer yours. Reading autobiographies and memoirs is boring. Prince Harry wrote his biography; I would not skip that, so this engaged me to read.
Basically, “Spare” is a memoir by Prince Harry released back in January 2023. It talks about Prince Harry’s life, his growth in the royal family and his struggles after his mother’s death. Harry also states his military service. I praise Harry’s honesty, but some people think that he shared too much personal information. According to Guinness World Records, it became the fastest-selling non-fiction book.
Spare Book Overview:
Prince Harry wrote his biography “Spare.” Here, he talks about his struggles with PTSD. PSTD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental disorder that occurs in people who have experienced a traumatic event. Prince Harry developed this condition after losing his mother. Princess Diana, his mother, died when he was a kid. The book also talks about the challenges veterans face and the stigma around mental health.
| Publisher | Random House; First US Edition |
| Publishing Date | Jan 10, 2023 |
| Title | Spare |
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 416 Pages |
| Literary awards | British Book Award Nominee for Non-Fiction: Narrative and for Audiobook: Non-Fiction (2024), Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Nominee for International Book (2024) |
| ISBN-10 | 0593593804 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593593806 |
Harry gives advice on dealing with PTSD and encourages people to seek help. He shares his journey, including his time in the army and marriage to Meghan Markle. Harry’s book makes you feel sad for him, like when he thought his mom’s death was a lie. But there are also nice parts, like his love for his family and Africa. He talks about falling in love with Meghan. Some details, like talking about his private parts, feel too much hard.
The book is a story of overcoming hardships and finding strength. The memoir was very, very, very long, and it took 17 hours for me to read. I think this length can be boring for many readers, but I found it emotional. Sometimes, Prince is focusing too much on personal issues. Harry’s writing style changed throughout according to the moments of humor and depth, which was unique and great.
Key Points and Themes:
Initially, “Spare” seems just a boring memoir, but it talks about some deep topics and helpful tips for people with PSTD. The book “Spare” by Prince Harry talks about a few important things:
- Privacy: Saying One Thing, Doing Another: Harry says he wants privacy, but then he writes a book and does other things that make people question how much he wants it. This makes people feel like he’s being hypocritical.
- War and Military: Harry talks about his time in the military and how he tracked how many people he fought against. As far as ethics are concerned, It’s not right to talk about war like that because it doesn’t show respect for the lives lost.
- Remembering Princess Diana: Harry’s book also brings up memories of his mom, Princess Diana. Some people think he’s not honoring her memory by causing problems within the family.
- Trying to Make Things Right: Harry and William have disagreements, and Harry discusses trying to fix things. But some people don’t believe him, especially when he says hurtful things about their conversations.
- Paternity Doubts and Family Tensions: King Charles III didn’t make claims about being a dad seriously. Prince Harry and his brother had a tough relationship. They have high tensions about their dad marrying Camilla.
- Tragic Events: King Charles III had the tough job of telling people about Princess Diana’s death. The family felt emotional about big events, like worrying about Camilla’s role and tensions with Meghan Markle.
Overall, “Spare” is about Harry’s journey and how it affects his family and the people around him.
Main Characters:
Prince Harry:
“Spare” is Prince Harry’s voyage as he delves into aspects of family breakdown, mental distress, and media intrusion. It is through Harry’s direct statements about individual development and therapeutic exercises that he brings to life his royal story for everyone in a very touching manner. He tackles the complex issues of sibling relationships, dispels myths around royalty, and reveals the trauma of insecurity that comes with leaving the palace. In addition, the memoir addresses racial issues in the royal family, leading to important discussions around cultural views and customs. Even though some people criticize him for supporting the monarch, he is still on the throne, albeit with question marks concerning possible effects on his family as well as on the throne as time goes by.
Meghan Markle:
Prince (now King) Charles:
Spare also features Meghan Markle who also plays an important role. Therefore, Meghan served as a significant figure in the life of Harry’s girlfriend and later, wife. She apparently helped in molding up an excellent and complete man of a person out of Harry as he put it. In his darkest moments and during terrible times she was the one supporting Harry. Similarly, Meghan was also there for Harry when all these happy moments such as on the birth days of their children. Markle was not just an ordinary woman, she had acted for some time before being introduced as a royal bride.
Queen Elizabeth II:
Harry’s grandmother is Queen Elizabeth II. Queen Elizabeth II as a ruler and monarch of Great Britain and the head of the British Royal Family also has a great part on Harry’s life. She was a pillar of support for him when his mother died. The boy grew up, and young Harry became her favorite person. They were very good friends even before she died. Her demise deeply devastated Harry.
Diana, Princess of Wales:
The book could not ignore Diana, Princess of Wales, who was, after all, dead but large. Diana is his late mother, who was in the 90s killed by paparazzi. She loved Harry and spoiled him and William. Consequently, his son became very close to him, and he could not recover from the death of his daughter. This was a guy who had lost the one he loved the most. He had loved ones; he had a mother who provided unconditional love for him and stood by him until the very end.
Genre of the Book:
“Spare” is a biography of Prince Harry. It’s a personal memoir written by Prince Harry himself. There is a conflict about Spare being a biography or autobiography. Written by Prince Harry himself, this book is an autobiography according to literature. The book will give you insight into the prince’s journey from royal childhood to adulthood.
The book also includes his time in the army and his path to finding love. It’s also available as an audiobook narrated by Harry himself. The book talks about some family issues, some mental disorder issues, and the life of a royal guy.
Spare | Summary:
“Spare” tells Prince Harry’s story from a prince to a sad son to a guy who left the royal family. The big thing in the book is how Princess Diana’s death affected young Harry. He talks about feeling lost and angry and blames the reporters who followed his mom everywhere. Harry found some good times in the army, even fighting in faraway places. He couldn’t quite find happiness.
Then, he met Meghan! They fell in love, and everyone loved to see it. But the reporters were mean again, especially to Meghan. This made Harry really worried about history repeating, just like with his mom. So, Harry decided to do something big. He left the royal family and moved to California with Meghan to start fresh.
There are different feelings about the book. Some aspects are Harry’s bravery in telling his story and opening up about his problems. Some might be negative that he shouldn’t have talked about his family, especially his brother William. No matter what, “Spare” is a personal story about a prince who wanted a different life. Regardless of perspective, the book offers a unique window into the life of a prince who chose a different path.
My Review and Thoughts:
One main thing I have noticed about Prince Harry is that despite his challenges, his journey and personal growth were up to the mark. Everything he wrote here showed authenticity and reality. By sharing his struggles through difficult times, Harry inspired me with his determination to overcome obstacles. Indirectly, he gave the readers encouragement. Being a member of the Royal Family, Harry provided an understanding of the pressures and responsibilities associated with royalty. Harry has shed light on the complexities of royal life and his unique world.
I loved to know Harry’s involvement in charitable initiatives and advocacy campaigns. Social work and helping people in need show a clean heart. This inspires the readers to consider how they can contribute to positive change in their communities. Reflection and self-awareness: Throughout the memoir, Harry confronts shortcomings and learns from past mistakes.
Harry shares personal stories from his childhood. He tells most things about his mother, life as a Royal, military career, charitable work, and struggles with Meghan. It felt very relatable and touching. The personal story provides depth into Harry’s life experiences and emotions, creating a deeper connection between Prince and the audience.
On the other hand, some passages were extra sensitive, particularly regarding Harry’s descriptions of personal relationships and experiences. The book’s statements on topics such as military service seemed disrespectful. He has mentioned that he killed 25 Taliban fighters. He writes them as chess pieces, which is disrespectful regarding the dead. Also, by doing this, Harry has increased the risk to himself and his family.
The length of the book, in my opinion, is the main flaw. I was reading and reading but the book was not finishing. Although the themes were interesting, the length made it boring. If it were a little more concise, it would be more meaningful and interesting.
Overall, Prince Harry’s memoir offers great value to the reader. It motivates the readers to stand against the problems and pressure.
Related Books:
Keeping in view the Royal Memoir and Celebrity Memoir trope, you might also like the books:
- Once a King: The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII
- Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words
- Sarah the Duchess of York, My Story
- I’m Glad My Mom Died
These are some biographies/memoirs related to Prince Harry’s “Spare.” These also give insight into some of the famous and well-knowns.
Conclusion:
So, now you know, is “Spare” worth your time. Well, It depends. If you’re curious about Prince Harry’s life, struggles, and road to healing, this book offers a personal and honest look. It’s a long journey, but Harry’s bravery in sharing his story might inspire you, too. This memoir could be a great pick for fans of royal reads or anyone interested in overcoming challenges.