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Books/book club

Finally read ‘Spare’

(244 Posts)
nanna8 Fri 28-Jul-23 10:23:40

I wasn’t going to pay for it so I waited until the library had it. Glad I didn’t pay for it, having read it. Not a good book and quite delusional ,unfortunately. I was hoping to feel some sympathy for the ‘author’ ( if he actually managed to write it himself ) but no, nada. Self indulgence par excellence. Ah well, sometimes the press are right …

Syracute Thu 03-Aug-23 13:26:08

Joseann

I assume Syracute's comment was deleted because they were still on about posters' hate for Meghan, whereas this thread is more about the contents of the book, the focus of which is on the dismal failings of everyone in the RF. According to Harry.
( I didn't report it by the way.) smile

Except most of the comments don’t pertain to the book and went off into the predictable slagging fest of H and M , Many had nothing to do with the book . The irony is that most posters haven’t even read the book . By the way a large percentage of book sales are going to Harry’s charities . A fact that is rarely mentioned.

Joseann Thu 03-Aug-23 13:04:52

Yes eazybee, I wrote before reading your comment.

maddyone Thu 03-Aug-23 13:04:44

I agree eazybee.

Joseann Thu 03-Aug-23 13:03:20

It is interesting to note, that the ghostwriter says that as Harry grew to trust him Harry started to connect the writer with his inner circle, a vital phase in every ghosting job. There is always someone who knows your author’s life better than he does, and your task is to find that person fast and interview his socks off.
But if these people were specially selected and carefully introduced by Harry himself, aren't we just getting a very one sided picture?

eazybee Thu 03-Aug-23 12:50:07

I rarely read auto-biographies because they are by their nature self-centred and biased, presenting only one aspect of the author's life.
I enjoy biographies when written by respected writers able to view their subject's life with detachment. Harry will be history one day and will provide a rich seam for biographers to mine but I think a properly analytical one will be some time coming.

Spare was written to put Harry's side of the story, but created with malice aforethought and the intention of causing trouble. I really would not even touch it.

Glorianny Thu 03-Aug-23 12:46:58

maddyone

Joseann

Well, I think the ghostwriter might be lying because he says,
How do you write about other people without invading their privacy? That’s the ultimate challenge. I sought permission from nearly everyone I wrote about, and shared early drafts.

Dear Charles..... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone you were a wet blanket as a father and favoured William?"
Dear Catherine ..... "Please can I have your permission to tell the world that it was you who made Meghan cry about the bridesmaid dress and not the other way round?"
Dear Camilla .... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone that you give away secrets from private conversations?"
Etc etc etc
Did he really send the RF the drafts?

Clearly the ghostwriter is lying.
Between Harry and the ghostwriter ‘Spare’ must be a complete work of fiction.

I wonder if he contacted the unfortunate lady who Harry claims he lost his virginity to and she agreed to be included in the book?
Hmmmm hmm

He only says he "sought" permission. That doesn't mean he was given it. RF of course never comment, so no reply perhaps? Same if he shared an early draft with them

maddyone Thu 03-Aug-23 12:12:34

But that’s because she ‘outed’ Lemsip. so she probably felt she had little choice. I somehow don’t believe that the ghostwriter actually contacted her to ask her opinion.

Sparklefizz Thu 03-Aug-23 11:40:32

Unfortunately for her she had to "out" herself as she is still living in that area and locals knew it was her from Harry's description.

lemsip Thu 03-Aug-23 11:17:42

The 'unfortunate lady' has since come forward and told her story on the news.

maddyone Thu 03-Aug-23 10:19:03

Joseann

Well, I think the ghostwriter might be lying because he says,
How do you write about other people without invading their privacy? That’s the ultimate challenge. I sought permission from nearly everyone I wrote about, and shared early drafts.

Dear Charles..... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone you were a wet blanket as a father and favoured William?"
Dear Catherine ..... "Please can I have your permission to tell the world that it was you who made Meghan cry about the bridesmaid dress and not the other way round?"
Dear Camilla .... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone that you give away secrets from private conversations?"
Etc etc etc
Did he really send the RF the drafts?

Clearly the ghostwriter is lying.
Between Harry and the ghostwriter ‘Spare’ must be a complete work of fiction.

I wonder if he contacted the unfortunate lady who Harry claims he lost his virginity to and she agreed to be included in the book?
Hmmmm hmm

GrannyGravy13 Thu 03-Aug-23 08:33:51

I bought Spare on my kindle, I haven’t plucked up the courage to read it yet.

It does seem to have divided opinions of those who have read it.

Joseann Thu 03-Aug-23 08:13:19

I assume Syracute's comment was deleted because they were still on about posters' hate for Meghan, whereas this thread is more about the contents of the book, the focus of which is on the dismal failings of everyone in the RF. According to Harry.
( I didn't report it by the way.) smile

Joseann Thu 03-Aug-23 07:30:56

Well, I think the ghostwriter might be lying because he says,
How do you write about other people without invading their privacy? That’s the ultimate challenge. I sought permission from nearly everyone I wrote about, and shared early drafts.

Dear Charles..... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone you were a wet blanket as a father and favoured William?"
Dear Catherine ..... "Please can I have your permission to tell the world that it was you who made Meghan cry about the bridesmaid dress and not the other way round?"
Dear Camilla .... "Please can I have your permission to tell everyone that you give away secrets from private conversations?"
Etc etc etc
Did he really send the RF the drafts?

Anniebach Wed 02-Aug-23 22:59:38

The ghostwriter knew William had been circumcised when a baby !

Callistemon21 Wed 02-Aug-23 22:36:34

Glorianny

I suppose then you could realy blame the ghostwriter for all of the things Harry reveals about other people (something he has been much criticised for).

How did the ghostwriter know the stories?

Syracute Wed 02-Aug-23 21:09:50

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Anniebach Wed 02-Aug-23 19:56:44

He is 39 years old not a child

lemsip Wed 02-Aug-23 18:44:12

well of course it was for the money!

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 02-Aug-23 17:29:16

I suspect it was for money and revenge - he has been in therapy forever.

maddyone Wed 02-Aug-23 17:21:33

Was it cathartic for Harry? Or was it just for money?

Joseann Wed 02-Aug-23 16:59:25

Harry actually chose this guy to write his book, so in that way he is complicit.

Joseann Wed 02-Aug-23 16:57:39

Yes, Anniebach.
While I quite like the sound of the technique used by the ghost writer, I do feel he almost encouraged Harry to hurt other people's feelings in the book.
It was all so negative and unkind in respect of his family members, and even random people like the school matron, army officers, first sexual partner etc. As someone said earlier, there was no empathy. If this is the real Harry, then I am left feeling disappointed.

Anniebach Wed 02-Aug-23 16:45:50

Surely Harry is responsible for all written in his book

Louella12 Wed 02-Aug-23 16:37:02

No interest in the book or any interviews.

However I'm certain there will be a divorce sooner or later.

Joseann Wed 02-Aug-23 16:34:44

Good point. Maybe!