Colleen

What is going on in the publishing industry? I know there was a ghost writer and probably multiple editors. So how did they allow such a heavily advertised, long awaited book be so boring? I know this is purported to be Harry's story. (Though so many times while listening all I could think of was Queen Elisabeth saying some recollections will vary.) It wasn't a shock that Harry is the star/hero in Spare. But where were the charming anecdotes? The only thing this man is known for is being one of Princess Diana's sons and son of the current King of England. Grandson of the longest reigning monarch of England. Obviously, Harry has issues with his family. But to present this as if there was never any good to these relationships, not any of them? No happy recollections for balance or even to make their issues more poignant? For me this just came across as enormously whiney. Poor little ol' me locked in the attic and half starved when we know, while there are issues within that rich and privileged group, they do lead extraordinary lives with experiences the rest of us can only dream of. I did enjoy hearing about trips to countries I won't get to see but was expecting more tales about what goes on within the royal palaces and estates. Only one whiney tale about Christmas? Nothing about life as Charles and Diana's son prior to her death? Obviously, Harry was traumatized by his mother's death when he was just 12 and I guess this is what arrested development can sound like. But I was really disappointed. He cannot remember his mummy or life with her but he managed to remember and refute every tabloid headline of his life? It read as if he has kept a scrapbook!
The stories of Harry's army service were somewhat better as obviously he was engaged there and this was his profession. And it was lovely to hear him recount his happiness with Meghan and joy in fatherhood. I was horrified by the tales of how invasive the British tabloid press and paparazzi are. I can see that they were undoubtably more tenacious in chasing Princess Diana's sons and their cohorts than the children of Anne, Andrew or Edward. I can even see where Meghan's background, being a biracial divorced American actress incited them to a greater and more dangerous frenzy. But many parts of Harry's “truth” simply don't add up. He was not poor. Harry inherited a bigger share from his mother to make up for the fact that he was not the “heir.” Charles paid a very large amount of money, that he needed to report publicly, to Harry and Meghan when they decided to separate from the royal family. Meghan had considerable net worth from her own work before her retirement from acting. Harry remarks that there are estates where they could have lived safely as long as they weren't trying to live public lives. But of course, that isn't what either wants, at least not yet, is it?

I don't like romance novels (anymore) until I do. This story is complicated, richly detailed and compelling. Absolutely unforgettable.

I haven't been enjoying romance books for some time. And it's not that I've never liked them, I used to enjoy them very much. I keep trying though. I thought that perhaps it's that I prefer stories where the main protagonist is an interesting woman and more of a plot than just falling in love. (chick-lit)

But now I realize, I'm looking for older people falling in love! (I'm 62.) I absolutely adored this book!

I loved this so much that I'm already planning a yearly re-read!

The Thursday Murder club delights me and so did this book! I love the setting, the humor and the character mix. Richard Osman has compassion and it clearly shows through.