Interestingly, Amazon is currently offering discounted hardcover copies of "Spare," suggesting an excess inventory. Despite being six months old, the book still manages to captivate readers with its numerous revelations.
During Amazon Prime Day, Prime members can grab a hardcover copy of Harry's memoir for less than fourteen dollars. Additionally, Audible offers the audio version for free as an exclusive offer for Prime members. Notably, the book enjoys a rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon, but reports have surfaced claiming that negative reviews are being deleted, raising concerns about manipulation of metrics.
Rumors suggest that Mr. and Mrs. Markle may have strategically pre-ordered thousands of copies, aiming to generate significant pre-sales figures and secure a spot on the bestseller list. Allegedly, Harry and Meghan purchased 100,000 books or possibly more, utilizing Archewell's funds to inflate sales figures.
They then distributed copies of "Spare" to various individuals and organizations, including the entire Invictus workforce, making it appear as if the book garnered substantial interest.
It is not uncommon for authors to employ such tactics, and it is speculated that Meghan may have done the same with her children's book, "The Bench," by purchasing thousands of copies and donating them to schools and libraries at no personal cost. These copies are often funded by their foundations or organizations. Additionally, Audible's continuous promotion of free copies since November contributes to the overall sales figures.
Complications arise from instances where Amazon customers receive duplicate copies, which are erroneously reported as multiple sales. Furthermore, bookstore purchases of bulk copies may be counted as customer sales, significantly inflating the numbers. Additionally, the inclusion of hardcover copies during therapy sessions by Gabor Maté raised eyebrows, as e-copies would have been a more logical choice, suggesting an overstock situation. The presence of copies at discount retailers like TJ Maxx adds another intriguing aspect to the situation.
Notably, Penguin Random House has remained silent about any future books and the status of the four-book contract. The lengthy delay in releasing "Spare" and its lackluster sales, coupled with the underwhelming response to "The Bench," may have left Penguin Random House disillusioned with the Sussexes. It is possible that they are willing to walk away from the remaining contract, having possibly broken even, incurred minor losses, or even managed to eke out some profit based on sales numbers.
One of the book's most astonishing revelations involved Harry's account of a heated argument with his brother in 2019, revolving around the scrutiny faced by Harry and Meghan in the British press and their growing distance from the royal family. Harry claimed the discussion turned physical. Another contentious claim from Harry involved his father, King Charles, allegedly taunting him about allegations surrounding his parentage, suggesting he was the product of an affair between Diana and a lover.
