Prince Harry's memoir "Spare" has achieved both soaring success and unexpected notoriety this summer, as it becomes the most discarded book by holidaymakers at resorts across Europe and beyond. Hundreds of the 416-page "diatribe", as it has been referred to by The Daily Mail, have reportedly been left behind in rooms, bins, and by pools in popular holiday hotspots like Greece, Spain, and Turkey.
Holiday operator On The Beach revealed that it has received a staggering 100 abandoned copies of "Spare" returned to them by hotel workers already this summer, with school holidays just commencing. Chief customer officer Zoe Harris described the unprecedented situation, stating, "We've never witnessed anything quite like it. Lost property offices in our most popular resorts are brimming with copies of Spare. We thought it was funny at first, but over the past few months, several other hotels have been sending the books back."
Released on January 10, 2023, the highly-anticipated tell-all memoir - ghostwritten by J. R. Moehringer and published by Penguin Random House - became the UK's fastest-selling non-fiction book since records began in 1998, selling a remarkable 3.2 million copies worldwide in its first week of publication.
In "Spare," the Duke of Sussex, 38, opens up about various aspects of his life, including his troubled teenage years and his deployment to Afghanistan with the British Army. He also delves into his relationships with his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William. However, it is the book's more sensational claims that have captured headlines globally, including an alleged altercation with Prince William and claims about his father's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles.
The book has garnered mixed reviews from critics, with some praising Prince Harry's openness while others criticising the inclusion of excessively personal details. Despite its popularity, it seems the controversial nature of the memoir has led many holidaymakers to leave it behind during their vacations.
Zoe Harris humorously suggested, "Maybe we should all take a leaf out of Harry's book and spare ourselves the bother in the first place." The company is even giving away the discarded copies online in an effort to reduce the abundance of the memoir.
Aside from the book's eventful summer journey, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been making headlines for other ventures. The couple's £18 million Spotify deal reportedly ended early, but they still maintain a lucrative £29 million four-book deal. They are also planning to film another documentary for Netflix after their first series, "Harry And Meghan," received a Hollywood Critics Award nomination.
While "Spare" has certainly become the book of the summer in a unique way, it remains a compelling and highly impactful literary release that has given readers an intimate glimpse into the mind and life of Prince Harry.
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