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elspeth_h's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Medical content, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
mandaraffe's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
raccoonteeth's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, and Classism
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
I’m trying to read more memoirs in 2023, and of course I had to kick things off with this obscure book absolutely no one is talking about!
I truly enjoyed Spare. Typically, I find celebrity memoirs to be pretty dry and, frankly, poorly written, but this one was a genuinely good read from start to finish. I know there was a ghostwriter involved, and first and foremost I just want to say that person deserves SO much kudos for their work here.
As to the substance, I am firmly Team Harry and Meghan and have been since the beginning, so it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that this book changed nothing for me on that front. What it did do was give me context and insight into Harry’s life and mental state that I didn’t previously have, including the depth of his mental illness/struggles, beginning with the trauma of losing his mother at such a young age and continuing through his highly unusual and stressful life, his time in war, and then the all-out press assault that resulted from his relationship with “an American actress.” I found myself crying multiple times, and alternately so angry for the way these people were treated for absolutely no reason. Finally, while I understand that many are upset about any criticisms aimed at the Royal family, I personally felt that Harry maintained a pretty fair and balanced tone when talking about his family—he was hurt by them, and he is expressing that, but he doesn’t resort to unnecessary attacks or vitriol, and remains extremely respectful when discussing his grandmother and the Crown itself.
There were certainly a few parts of the book I thought were entirely unnecessary (IYKYK) but I also understand the need to generate headlines and press to sell copies! Overall, if you have any interest in this ongoing drama at all, I urge you to pick this up and form your own opinions—both about the book and about the people involved.
CW: Death of a parent/grief; suicidal thoughts; mental illness/PTSD; war/violence; animal cruelty/death
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and War
queerloras's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Suicide and Suicide attempt
erica_reads_everything's review against another edition
5.0
Was it so much more than that? Yes it was.
I have a whole new appreciation for Harry as a man, a soldier, and a father. I believe him and I am glad that he shared his truth. I hope that he continues to try to break the generational trauma created by his mother's death and the British media.
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Antisemitism, and Pregnancy
drraytay's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and War
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Islamophobia, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism
jessiereads98's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Incest, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Slavery, and Cultural appropriation
megmcreads's review against another edition
5.0
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.
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Antisemitism