A certain book

I see today that Harry's flying training he describes in the book is "complete fantasy" according to his instructor.

Everyone has their own truth.

Harry’s truth

Anniebach

It’s true because Harry says it’s true ?

It's his experience. However anyone else interprets that is up to them.

joseanne that is exactly what I got out of the book.

The RF are undoubtedly a very dysfunctional unit, but made much, much worse by the British media.

Well, I tried to look for good when reading the book, and although a lot of heart searching has gone on by Harry, I believe underneath there were many in the family just doing their best with the lives they had been given, particularly Charles as a parent.
The media has a lot to answer for.

Anniebach

It’s true because Harry says it’s true ?

Is that addressed to me?

Just what I was wondering Annie.

It’s true because Harry says it’s true ?

So I’m nearly at the end of the book.

An extraordinary upbringing both boys had.

Both narcissistic parents often absent and it showed in their behaviour.

Both boys very screwed up for different reasons.

William as heir has been instilled with a bizarre outlook on his entitlement, and expectations on how those near to him should behave.
Harry was neglected and frankly out of control for much of his young life. Just when he needed guidance and care the most - it was absent.

Both come cross as very immature both intellectually and emotionally.

All that aside, I think that the British media without question is out of control in their reporting of the RF. The RF act in what appears to be fear of the MSM, much of what has happened has occurred because of this relationship. We can trace the complete breakdown of the relationship between the family members to the msm and the RF relationship with it.

Sooooo, went for a coffee in Waterstones and took the opportunity to read the first few chapters of Spare.

Some very sweet things written about Charles. Definitely loving towards his dad.

I'm definitely reading the rest somehow despite being unwilling to pay for the book.

Yes, we wondered if you were ok, Whitewave.
Hope you didn't have the lurgy that's going round.

Hello Whitewave! I haven’t seen you for a while, in fact, I only mentioned you to Callistemon yesterday.
I hope all’s well

The fastest selling non-fiction book ever- by a mile.

Guinness Book of Records.

Lucrative eh?

merlotgran

Diana used to joke that she was as thick as planks but she often hid her light under a bushel. She had more musical ability than Charles but didn’t get the chance to show it.

You can tell from Diana’s handwriting and also the way she wrote that she was far from stupid.
I imagine that women of her breeding weren’t valued for being intelligent.
I think that it probably was something that you were expected to hide.
Don’t scare the horses (or outclass the men)

Joseanne

So if Harry is all for the more physical, outdoorsy, simple life, why have the past two years in sunny California, - swimming, polo matches etc, - not made him happier, but even more bitter?

That’s an interesting question Joseanne. Normally I would think about what has happened in a person’s life in those last two years and consider any changes that could have made him unhappy and bitter, but that would bring us straight back to Meghan, and as posters have been called ‘haters’ (horrible, dismissive word) for thinking maybe Meghan with her own troubled family life, might have something to do with it, I shall refrain from making that connection.

merlotgran

Diana used to joke that she was as thick as planks but she often hid her light under a bushel. She had more musical ability than Charles but didn’t get the chance to show it.

Yes indeed, and she swan, played tennis, danced, and was quite sporty generally, but didn’t like horse riding or shooting, although I think she went to shooting parties.

Sorry, ignore my post.

The thread has become an interesting chat.
I haven't read the book so am interested in comments from those who have.

I may read it if someone lends it to me.

eazybee

Let's knock down the Coliseum while we are at it and other ancient buildings throughout Europe; the pyramids and Temples, all built by slave labour, and most off the castles and Cathedrals in England and Wales, built by serfs.
It will make them all feel so much better.

Crikey, you're turning it into a full-time job, eazybee
Do I get lunch breaks? Double time on Sundays and Bank holidays?
I'd have to bulldoze half of Bristol to start with.

We cannot re-write history, we can only learn from it, Grany
One way would be to clamp down on modern-day slavery in the UK.

Yes, but good to explore them within this thread
I lost the next bit which said as and when they crop up.

There are so many other things that came up in the book, but far too many to comment on.
Yes, but good to explore them within this thread.

My copy is stuck with DD. She is a slow reader but she has just had covid and 3 little ones to run round after. Hopefully not too long before I read it.

Joseanne

Yes, Calendargirls points 5 and 6 were very true.

I like this thread now; those who have just read the book giving a good insight, those who haven't feeling free to ask questions, and those who just like to ponder and chat.

Thank you.

There are so many other things that came up in the book, but far too many to comment on.

If you get the chance and are interested in the RF, I would recommend reading it.

Yes, Calendargirls points 5 and 6 were very true.

I like this thread now; those who have just read the book giving a good insight, those who haven't feeling free to ask questions, and those who just like to ponder and chat.

GSM.

I think that William coped better with Diana’s death being older, more rational, more grounded. Harry being younger, being the ‘spare’ was probably more spoiled and indulged by his mum, and after she died, that was just gone.

Throughout the book, Charles always refers to Harry as ‘darling boy’, and clearly loves him dearly, but it doesn’t fill the gap left by Diana. Harry obviously adored Tiggy, who was good for both boys.

I think when Camilla became a big part of Charles’ life, Harry felt even more sidelined, although both boys seemed pleased to see their father happy, albeit reluctantly.

And yes, if only Harry could have met someone with a stable and loving family background, (i.e. the Middletons) as his life partner, to love, support, comfort and inspire him, we wouldn’t be reading and discussing a book called ‘Spare’, which is a word I don’t think Harry necessarily thought of so much until it was probably ‘helpfully’ pointed out to him .

I would agree with Calendargirl's assessment of the marriage Joseanne.