Bookclub for Spare

[BornBlonde]

I know there are loads of threads, but thought it may be useful to set up a bookclub thread ahead of the release date fir those interested. I've ordered the audiobook as struggling to find time to read at the moment but love I can listen to an Audiobook while cooking etc

I have never read he's taken drugs for 20 years. Have you?

Camilla dangerous, Kate stuck up as opposed to happy Meghan), William ageing badly and Charles addicted to headlines at the detriment to his children. That’s how he’s portrayed his family to that reviewer.

Having read the book, I'd say this is a very accurate summary. In particular, he guns for William.

He's sold them out. It's pretty nasty, and if he truly thinks he can reconcile with his family now, he's a fool.

Agree @JustWhattheDoctorOrdered. It's his perspective and he's very clear about that. Memory is a funny thing, but I think it would be wrong to dismiss this autobiography on that basis. It feels measured and truthful, and affectionate actually - not what's been presented from a few extracts. I'm sure there are some details which aren't quite right but that would be the case in any biography. I haven't got to the really contentious bits about Meghan and I know there are a lot of 'competing narratives' there but so far I'm enjoying reading his story and nothing smells 'off' at all.

Yes I have. I've just read his book.

He started at a young age, at Eton. And is still taking them now in California.

@MechanicaHound every single autobiography is biased. All autobiographies by definition contain accounts of people’s lives as they have experienced them. Autobiographies are not histories or documentaries. There are many points in the book where I thought that the other people involved would probably have given a very different account. That is true of all autobiographies. If you wrote about your own life it would be the same.

Harry’s account of his life and experiences reveals that he sometimes has a poor memory and feels like a victim. It’s very revealing of his character when you realise this, so it’s a successful book. And biased? Of course!

And throughout the intervening years too? I haven't read that far yet. If he is regularly smoking weed, which it sounds as if he might be, I agree that will probably exacerbate any tendency to paranoia. I've seen it with other people and that's probably my greatest worry for Harry tbh. But equally I think he has reason to feel that way so I'm sort of on the fence there!

Totally agree.

Which is why I'm not getting outraged or feeling gobsmacked at anything in the book. I'm taking it all with a massive pinch of salt.

@MechanicaHound but taking something with a pinch of salt implies it is unbelievable. Everything H says is believable. That is, I can believe that he is sincere in what he says. I don’t think he is lying or deliberately making things up.

OK. I need to read the book to verify he's been smoking weed or taking drugs for 20 years

Fair enough?

@Roussette he doesn’t. Just a poster who hasn’t read the book and here just to be obnoxious.

Thank you @JustWhattheDoctorOrdered

You very succinctly wrote what I was thinking about the book.

@Roussette I had a toxic mother and we spent many years estranged. I received no affection as a child, so I know how thay felt for me. I have a lovely marriage and wonderful kids and we sre affectionate, but even now I don't like people touching me.

I was the family scapegoat, so I relate to that part of Harry's story.

I have to admit, most of Americans could care less about his drug use. Marijuana is legal in most states now, anyone over the age of 21 can but it where it is legal.

I am also considering reading Charles' book when I am done with that one if anyone is interested in a book club thread for that.

Despite the verifiable lies? 🙄

believe that he is sincere in what he says. I don’t think he is lying or deliberately making things up.

That's fine, you're entitled to your belief. I don't agree.

With Caroline Flack, he's deliberately misrepresented her death, to fit his own agenda. He makes it out that she took her own life because she couldn't stand the press any more. No mention of the fact that she was being prosecuted for assault and couldn't face it.

I think this is deliberately misleading and it's utterly reprehensible.

I don't know why the 'royals' are so worked up about this book

It's vol 2 and the film rights that they really need to panic about

But that was very much what was said at the time she died! There was a huge amount of discussion of it, all that (insincere) #BeKind stuff. If he'd mentioned the assault case he would be ripped to shreds. I think it's very unfair to say he misrepresented her death.

Caroline Flack’s mother blamed the CPS.

"Although her general fluctuating (mental) state was a background and important in her death, I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty, and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity -- it would all come down upon her," Hassell said, returning a determination of suicide at Poplar Coroner's Court, in London.

Flack's mother, Chris Flack, told the coroner via videolink: "I totally agree, I think you got it spot on,"

The presenter's mother Chris told the court she thought her daughter had been "seriously let down by the authorities and in particular the CPS for pursuing the case".

Caroline Flack inquest: ‘No doubt' presenter intended to take own life www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53676793

What's your point though?

With Caroline Flack it would probably of been better to say nothing if the alternative is misleading. If anything it’s brought the attention back up about the assault claims

It would have been odd not to have mentioned Caroline at all, and very difficult to talk about her without mentioning her death.

He didn’t need to mention her at all. The only reason he did was to reinforce his hatred of the press. The amount of collateral damage in the book is appalling.

I thought Eugénie, and they already knew each other for like Harry. Did I remember that incorrectly?

Finally download the Audible and am making progress. Ch 49.

After hearing about what he liked about Chelsey, I am not surprised that he married an American.