Spare

Author: Prince Harry
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2023 (audio)
Pages: 416 (hardcover)
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched in sorrow - and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling - and how their lives would play out from that point on.

For Harry, this is that story at last.

Before losing his mother, twelve-year-old Prince Harry was known as the carefree one, the happy-go-lucky Spare to the most serious Heir. Grief changed everything. He struggled at school, struggled with anger, with loneliness - and, because he blamed the press for his mother's death, he struggled to accept life in the spotlight.

At twenty-one, he joined the British Army. The discipline gave him structure, and two combat tours made him a hero at home. But he soon felt more lost than ever, suffering from post-traumatic stress and prone to crippling panic attacks. Above all, he couldn't find his true love.

Then he met Meghan. The world was swept away by the couple's cinematic romance and rejoiced in their fairy-tale wedding. But from the beginning, Harry and Meghan were preyed upon by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism, and lies. Watching his wife suffer, their safety and mental health at risk, Harry saw no other way to prevent the tragedy of history repeating itself but to flee his mother country. Over the centuries, leaving the Royal Family was an act few had dared. The last to try, in fact, had been his mother. . .

Review: If you search my bookblog you will see that I read books about the British Royal Family from time-to-time. Reading Spare was a no-brainer.

I waitlisted this book at the library as soon as the buzz about it started. I logged in to check on my status on the list following it's actual availability and couldn't believe it had 783 total holds. I've never seen so many on a book.

I broke down and decided to use Audible, and I did a little happy dance when I saw I had credits to use.

Prince Harry does a great job narrating his own story. I read this like I would read anyone's memoir. It's life according to the author. One thing I've learned, no one gets through this life unscathed, and we all have crosses to bear. I wouldn't want to be royal, but neither would I choose to have a husband with serious health issues (and I do). One has no choice but to live the life they're given. The key to enjoying life is finding the good and positives more often than not.

Harry and Meghan's story is far from over, and only time will tell how this plays out.