Prince Harry’s autobiography ‘Spare’ becomes UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book ever

Prince Harry’s eloquent autobiography, ‘Spare’, has become the UK’s fastest-selling non-fiction book ever. According to a report in The protectorthe memoir, just on its first day of release, has registered figures of 4,00,000 copies to date, including hardback, ebook, and audio formats.

Stores across the country reopened at noon on Tuesday for the official release of the memoir, which was leaked last week and also sold early by some bookstores in Spain. The book saw long queues of fans outside bookstores to get their hands on the controversial memoir, which contains intimate revelations about his personal struggles and the British royal family.

Larry Finlay, the general manager of Transworld Penguin Random House, shared The protector“We always knew this book would fly, but it exceeds even our most optimistic expectations. As far as we know, the only books that have sold more on their first day are those with the other Harry [Potter].”

Despite a retail price of £28 (Rs 2,778), many shops including Waterstones and WH Smith are selling it for half price at £14 (Rs 1,389). It’s also available for £14 on Amazon.

So said Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller Evening Standard, “It’s probably going to be one of the biggest books of the year in terms of sales and impact.” When asked how many copies a book needs to sell to do well, Mr Jones said if it reaches 50,000 it will be “number one” and a “success”.

Revelations from the book include Harry’s bombshell accusations about his father King Charles, stepmother Camilla, and older brother Prince William. One of the main highlights of the book is Prince Harry’s heated argument with William, the heir to the throne, and how they both begged his father not to marry Camilla, whom he married in 2005 and is now the Queen Consort.

The memoir also sheds light on Prince Harry’s revelations of drug use, grief and growing up after the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, and his experience as a pilot for the British Army in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the royal family led by King Charles III and Harry’s older brother, Prince William, have kept quiet as painful details from the book and a series of pre-publication TV interviews have piled up.