Spare Us!: A Harrody 

Reviewed By  Nan van Dissel       September 17, 2023

 

Author  Bruno Vincent

Distributor:      Hachette Australia
ISBN:                 9780349146065
Publisher:         Hachette. Imprint Abacus
Release Date:   August 2023  

FaceBook:    

YouTube:   

Instagram:   

X Formally Twitter:    

It was inevitable that someone would write a response to Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’, which became a best seller in January of this year. A few months later, it came in the form of this small 100 page volume, Spare Us! A Harrody by well-known, best seller of satirical takes on classical books, Bruno Vincent, author of the most popular ‘Five on Brexit Island’ which was based on Enid Blyton’s ‘Famous Five’ children’s books.

Not having read Harry’s book, and after reading the comical blurb on the dust jacket, which featured his portrait with crossed tape across his mouth, I was anticipating an amusing satire, which poked fun at the Prince but which wasn’t cruel. However, although it was quite funny in parts and there were some insightful chapters, it disappointingly didn’t live up to my expectation. It appeared to have some elements of having been written in a hurry.

Emanuel Santos’s illustrations are quite clever and add to the enjoyment of the book.

However, readers who have read “Spare” will probably be able to appreciate the humour in this little quick read parody more than I did.