Prince Harry’s memoir, titled “Spare,” has become a major setback for both the author and his publisher, Penguin Random House.
The book, released on January 10, 2023, was intended to provide a candid and heartfelt account of Harry’s life, from his childhood to his marriage to Meghan Markle and their decision to step away from royal life.
However, the memoir has been met with scathing reviews, abysmal sales, and now Penguin Random House is demanding a refund of $35 million from the Duke of Sussex.
Critics have labeled “Spare” as bitter, self-pitying, and filled with lies, exaggerations, and accusations against Harry’s own family and the monarchy.
The public, media, and royal experts have accused him of being ungrateful, disloyal, and hypocritical.
Readers have also expressed their disappointment, finding the book to be repetitive, poorly written, and overall unengaging.
Platforms like Goodreads and Amazon have reflected this sentiment, with “Spare” receiving a dismal average score of 0.5 out of 5.
In stark contrast, renowned figures like Sir Paul McCartney have seen great success with their books.
McCartney’s “The Lyrics,” also published by Penguin Random House, boasts an impressive overall score of 4.75 out of 5.
This further highlights the stark failure of Harry’s memoir, as its poor reception has directly impacted its sales.
To date, “Spare” has only managed to sell 200,000 copies worldwide, while “The Lyrics” has surpassed 2 million copies.
Additionally, “Spare” failed to make it onto the list of best-selling books in both the UK and the US, while “The Lyrics” claimed the top spot in both countries.
The disappointing performance of Harry’s book has proven to be a significant financial loss for Penguin Random House.
The publisher reportedly paid Harry a substantial advance of at least $20 million for the memoir, hoping it would become a global sensation and a profitable investment.
However, it has turned out to be a costly mistake and a public relations nightmare.
As a result, sources reveal that the publisher is now demanding Harry return the advance or, at the very least, a significant portion of it for failing to deliver on his end of the agreement.
Penguin Random House was also dissatisfied with Harry’s lack of cooperation and promotion for the book.
Despite their expectations, he refused to participate in any interviews or events to support the book’s launch.
Sources suggest that Harry not only refuses to return the money but also blames the publisher for the book’s failure.
He alleges that the publisher leaked the book to the press before its release date, causing damage to its reputation and subsequent sales.
Unsurprisingly, Harry’s memoir has strained his relationship with Meghan as well.
She is reportedly furious with him for deciding to write the book and exposing their private life to the public.
Meghan, who herself signed a book deal with Penguin Random House, feared that Harry’s memoir would negatively impact her own prospects and reputation.
Furthermore, Harry’s scathing and unfounded criticisms within the memoir have caused further damage to his relationship with his family and country.
Many royal fans and commentators have called for him to be stripped of his royal titles and privileges, urging him to apologize to his family and the nation for his actions.
Harry’s memoir has proven to be a disastrous endeavor for all parties involved.
It showcases the colossal mistake he made in leaving his royal role to pursue his Hollywood dreams.
He has lost the respect and support of his family, his country, and his publisher, receiving nothing but ridicule and resentment.
This memoir has revealed Harry to be a spoiled and selfish individual, lacking a sense of duty or loyalty.