Spare: Prince Harry's Memoir of Loss, Love, and Liberation
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is one of the most famous and controversial figures in the world. He is a husband, father, humanitarian, military veteran, mental wellness advocate, and environmentalist. He is also a royal rebel who decided to leave his mother country and his family behind to pursue a different life.
 |
| Spare by Prince Harry |
In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry tells his own story for the first time, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. He reveals the joys and sorrows of his childhood, the trauma and grief of losing his mother, the challenges and rewards of his military service, the love and turmoil of his marriage, and the reasons and consequences of his departure from the royal family.
Spare is a landmark publication that offers insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief. It is a memoir that will captivate readers with its candor, courage, and compassion.
We will review some of the main aspects of the book, such as:
- The title and cover of the book
- The structure and style of the book
- The themes and messages of the book
- The reception and impact of the book
 |
| Spare by Prince Harry |
Title and Cover
The title of the book, Spare, refers to Prince Harry's role as the second son of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He was often called "the spare heir" or "the spare to the heir", implying that he was less important or valuable than his older brother Prince William. Prince Harry writes that he hated this label and felt that it diminished his identity and purpose.
The cover of the book features a close-up portrait of Prince Harry's face. He looks directly at the reader with a serious and intense expression. His eyes are blue-green, like his mother's. His beard is ginger-red, like his father's. His hair is short and neat, unlike his younger days when he had longer locks. The cover suggests that Prince Harry is ready to face the world and share his truth.
Structure and Style
The book is divided into four parts: 1994-1998, 2005-2006, 2017-2018, and 2022-2023. Each part covers a different stage in Prince Harry's life: his childhood after his mother's death, his early adulthood and military career, his relationship and marriage with Meghan Markle, and his departure from the royal family and move to California.
The book is written in the first person, with Prince Harry as the narrator. He uses a conversational and informal tone, as if he is talking to a friend or a therapist. He does not shy away from expressing his emotions or opinions. He also uses humor and sarcasm to lighten up some of the darker moments.
The book is based on Prince Harry's memories, interviews, diaries, and documents. He also consulted with his wife Meghan, his friends, and his collaborators. He acknowledges that his perspective is not the only one and that others may have different views or experiences. He also admits that he may have made some mistakes or misjudgments along the way.
The book is ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author. Moehringer has previously written memoirs for Andre Agassi and Nike co-founder Phil Knight. He met with Prince Harry several times and helped him shape his story and voice.
 |
| Spare by Prince Harry |
Themes and Messages
The book explores several themes and messages that are important to Prince Harry and his readers. Some of them are:
- The impact of losing a parent at a young age. Prince Harry writes about how his mother's death affected him deeply and how he struggled to cope with his grief and anger. He also writes about how he tried to honor her legacy and keep her memory alive.
- The pressure and privilege of being a royal. Prince Harry writes about the advantages and disadvantages of being born into the royal family. He writes about the expectations and responsibilities that came with his role, as well as the scrutiny and criticism that he faced from the media and the public. He also writes about the benefits and opportunities that he enjoyed, such as traveling, meeting people, and supporting causes.
- The passion and purpose of serving others. Prince Harry writes about his military service in Afghanistan, where he served as a helicopter pilot and saw combat. He writes about the camaraderie and courage of his fellow soldiers, as well as the horrors and hardships of war. He also writes about his humanitarian work, such as founding the Invictus Games for wounded veterans, launching Sentebale for children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa, and partnering with Oprah Winfrey for a mental health series.
- The power and challenge of love. Prince Harry writes about his relationship and marriage with Meghan Markle, an American actress and activist. He writes about how they met, fell in love, and decided to get married. He also writes about the difficulties and dangers that they faced from the press, the palace, and the public. He writes about how they decided to leave the royal family and move to California to protect their family and their freedom.
- The importance and difficulty of finding oneself. Prince Harry writes about his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. He writes about how he dealt with his mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He also writes about how he embraced his identity as a husband, father, humanitarian, environmentalist, and royal rebel.
The book received mixed reviews from critics and readers. Some praised it for its honesty, courage, and compassion. They applauded Prince Harry for sharing his story and shedding light on some of the issues that he faced. They also empathized with him for his losses and struggles.
Others criticized it for its self-indulgence, self-pity, and self-righteousness. They accused Prince Harry of being ungrateful, disrespectful, and disloyal to his family and his country. They also questioned his motives and credibility for writing the book.
The book also sparked controversy and debate among the public and the media. Some supported Prince Harry and Meghan for their decision to leave the royal family and pursue their own happiness. They defended them from the attacks and abuse that they endured. They also admired them for their work and achievements.
Others opposed Prince Harry and Meghan for their decision to leave the royal family and expose their secrets. They blamed them for damaging the reputation and unity of the monarchy. They also resented them for their wealth and fame.
The book also had an impact on Prince Harry's relationship with his family and his country. The book revealed some of the tensions and conflicts that he had with his father, his brother, and other members of the royal family. It also showed some of the reasons and feelings that led him to distance himself from them.
The book also affected Prince Harry's image and popularity in Britain and around the world. The book increased his visibility and influence as a global figure and a social activist. It also increased his vulnerability and criticism as a controversial figure and a royal outcast.
In Conclusion, Spare is a memoir that tells Prince Harry's story from his perspective. It is a story of loss, love, and liberation. It is a story that reveals his joys and sorrows, his strengths and weaknesses, his hopes and fears. It is a story that challenges and inspires readers to think about their own lives and choices.
