Let me start by saying, I’m not usually a memoir person. Give me sci-fi or historical romance any day. But Spare? It grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go. I devoured it in one night, oscillating between laughter, tears, and deep introspection. Harry’s vulnerability is staggering, and J.R. Moehringer’s writing elevates this beyond tabloid fodder into something profoundly human.

The media cherry-picked salacious snippets, but the full context paints a different picture. Harry’s childhood anecdotes—like the infamous ‘frostbitten penis’ story—are delivered with self-deprecating humor, making them relatable rather than crass. His military chapters hit hard; as someone adjacent to military life, his candid reflections on war’s ethics and PTSD added layers I didn’t anticipate.

What shocked me most was the systemic manipulation by palace ‘courtiers’ and the press. The Diana passages wrecked me—especially Harry describing paparazzi flashes as ‘halos’ around her body. It’s a damning indictment of media predation.

Critics call it whiny, but that misses the point. This isn’t just a prince’s lament; it’s a meditation on trauma, privilege, and breaking cycles. The audiobook, narrated by Harry himself, adds intimacy—you hear his anger, his grief, even his smirk during cheeky asides.

Is it perfect? No. His blind spots about monarchy are frustrating. But that’s what makes it compelling—it’s messy, honest, and undeniably brave. Whether you’re Team Harry or not, read it before judging. This isn’t gossip; it’s history.