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I just posted about finishing the book today and don't have an overarching opinion but here are some of smaller thoughts:
1. 15 hours is very long for a memoir for 40-something, even a prince. 2. He has a soft gentle voice. Too soft and gentle. I found it hard to focus for the first couple hours. 3. I liked the military scenes because his voice changed and he spoke with passion. I also thought that the part about killing soldiers was well-contextualized and appropriate for a memoir. 4. The frostnip stuff was TMI and unnecessary. 5. I thought he showed quite a lack of empathy to his brother. Like, could he really not understand the reaction to the wedding beard? It's so important to Harry but silly for William to be jealous of the same thing? There were so many scenes like this scattered throughout the book - Harry's emotions are proper and well contextualized but he failed to allow the other's emotions and humanity. 6. The sections on Meghan seemed the least "new" since they have spent so much time lately discussing those issues. |
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5. I thought he showed quite a lack of empathy to his brother. Like, could he really not understand the reaction to the wedding beard? It's so important to Harry but silly for William to be jealous of the same thing? There were so many scenes like this scattered throughout the book - Harry's emotions are proper and well contextualized but he failed to allow the other's emotions and humanity.
This is astute. I think this lack of empathy and myopic thinking reflects immature emotional development (which I don't really 'blame' him for) and is what is leading him to make some poor choices when it comes to his family and other public actions/words. |
+1 |
| Well, by now they must've realized that masses and media are getting sick of their whining and complaining. I think we'll see more positive content in 2023 from their camp. If they are smart, they'll accept Charles's peace offering and wouldn't miss the opportunity to dazzle cameras with their presence. |
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I’m the anti-royalist who posted a page or two ago and one thing I thought was really well done was the heartbreaking story of how he found out about his mother’s death and the aftermath. It comes across as genuine and truthful. Frankly, it’s horrifying that he was left alone in the dark by his dad, and largely ignored, but absolutely in keeping with Charles’ limited emotional spectrum.
Kudos to the uncle for trying to stop the spectacle of the kids walking behind the coffin. I don’t know who that guy is, and he’s probably as useless as the rest of them, but at least he tried. |
He didn’t say William was silly for being jealous of the beard, he was mad that William tried to lord his “heir” role over Harry to force Harry to shave his beard simply because William was forced to shave his. William was being petty. |
What? Have you checked the NYT bestseller list?
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That's the exact reason. If they want to sell a sequel, it has to be different to sell as well as this one. |
What Peace offering is this? Has Charles actually, personally made some sort of peace offering? |
No, publishers, like movie producers, stick with the formula that sells. The next books will be exactly like this one. |
I definitely see the PP’s point around lack of empathy. And I see that William is just as stunted there and perhaps more petty. I feel bad for both of them but worse for William, who can’t seek radical transformation or whatever Harry might call it, because he is still heir to the throne and a key part of the firm. |
Attending his coronation? |
William is just doing his job. There is nothing wrong with this. |
| Yup. Everyone feels trapped in life from time to time but not everyone can prioritize their feelings to escape. Adulting is tough. |
Invitation to coronation, titles, early access to some inheritance etc. |