Prince Harry's Spare - A Tale of Waaagh

Rating: 3/5 Crowns

I recently had the pleasure (or was it?) of diving into Prince Harry's highly anticipated book, "Spare." Or should I say “Waaagh.” Now, before I begin my candid review, I must confess that I approached this literary endeavor with a healthy dose of skepticism. I wasn’t particularly a royalist nor was I team Harry & Meghan or William & Kate. That being said, I love drama and with everything going on, it felt important to know the “facts”.

First off, let's give credit where credit is due. Prince Harry's storytelling ability is quite engaging. It's clear that he has a knack for capturing the reader's attention, perhaps a skill he developed while navigating the convoluted corridors of Buckingham Palace. His anecdotes are often relatable and at times even humorous, providing glimpses into a life that few can truly comprehend.

However, I must admit that the book felt a tad self-indulgent. I mean, come on, Prince Harry, we get it—you're a royal who walked away from the throne. Spare is essentially a 400-page therapy session in print form. While it's undoubtedly intriguing to get a behind-the-scenes look at the struggles within the royal family, it's hard not to feel a bit exhausted by the ceaseless reflection on personal tribulations. Further, to quote South Park, the book felt like a tale of “Waaagh.” While I do not envy the spotlight Harry has been forced to grow up in, there is no doubt he has grown up in one of the most privileged possible positions. Honestly, before I started reading, I was quite sympathetic towards him but unfortunately this book has turned my feelings around. At times it often felt like a spoiled child just wanted to throw a tantrum and get everyone’s attention, and I believe he’s done just that.

Nonetheless, I appreciate the Prince's attempt to shed light on mental health issues and destigmatize seeking help. It takes courage to open up about one's struggles, especially when the entire world is watching. Prince Harry's honesty in discussing his mental health challenges is commendable, and it might just inspire others to do the same.

In the end, what I most struggled with is a man who seemingly claims to hate the spotlight and wants to live a life of anonymity. But this is entirely juxtaposed with a 400 page garnering him that much more attention and an intimate spotlight on his life. Honestly, the whole thing left me feeling rather puzzled.

Sidenote: Do you think Harry found it extremely emotionally triggering when he watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Voldemort tells Wormtail to “Kill the Spare!”?