Prince Harry's memoir, "Spare," has found itself on the unfavorable end of celebrity book ratings, marking a surprising turn of events for the royal author.
Research conducted by QR code experts, focusing on Goodreads and Amazon ratings over the past three years, revealed that the book was named one of the poorest-rated celebrity works. While the autobiography contained damaging allegations against senior members of the royal family, it seems the QR code generator firm had the last laugh, as the data analysis positioned Harry as the fourth lowest-rated celebrity author.
QR code generator's spokesperson emphasized the significance of ratings in the context of book selling, explaining that positive ratings instill confidence in potential readers, contributing to increased discoverability and visibility. Ratings serve as a key metric for readers to assess the quality and appeal of a book, and positive or negative word of mouth, often fueled by ratings, becomes a powerful driver of sales.
In a surprising turn of events, Entertainment Tonight reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle signed a lucrative four-book deal with Penguin Random House worth $35 to $40 million. This deal, however, raises eyebrows considering the mixed reception of Harry's first book. Reports suggest that Harry received an advance of roughly $9 to $10 million, with speculations of up to $20 million if accounting for his ghostwriter, J. Minger. Calculations indicate that Harry would need to sell more than twice the original price of $36—equivalent to 2.7 million copies—to earn back his advance.
Adding to the challenges, "Spare" has gained the dubious distinction of being the most abandoned book of 2023. The 416-page diatribe has reportedly been left behind in hotel rooms, bins, and by poolside at holiday resorts across Europe, including Spain, Greece, and Turkey. Tour operators, such as On the Beach, reported receiving 100 discarded copies of the autobiography from fed-up hotel workers just in the early stages of the summer holidays.
Zoe Harris, Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, expressed the unusual situation, stating that Lost Property offices in popular resorts are overflowing with copies of "Spare." She humorously suggested that maybe they should take a leaf out of Harry's book and spare themselves the bother in the first place. The situation has led to speculation that Penguin Random House may have incurred significant losses, giving away many books and audiobooks for free to boost sales.
Despite the publisher's claims, Harry's audiobook received no nominations, raising questions about its impact and reception. Rumors abound that Penguin Random House is now seeking $35 million from Harry for allegedly violating his contract. This follows Harry's confession that his autobiography contradicts a revelation in his witness statement during the phone hacking trial against Mirror Group Newspapers. The CEO of Penguin Random House is reportedly furious, and there are whispers that they might consider terminating their deal with Harry, citing dissatisfaction with the drama surrounding the book.
