Prince Harry’s favorite book at Eton was ‘Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men because it was ‘short’ – and characters George and ‘low IQ’ Lennie ‘reminded him of his relationship with William’
Prince Harry’s favorite book at Eton was the American novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, a story he says reminded him of his relationship with his brother William, he reveals in his new memoir Spare.
In the book – released accidentally today in Spain, five days ahead of schedule – Harry talks about his struggles with Shakespeare and French lessons at Eton, revealing how his father, King Charles, despaired over his lack of interest and would force him to attend plays on days off.
One book he did enjoy was Steinbeck’s classic, he said.
‘The piece of literature that I do remember liking and even enjoying is a short American novel. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.
Princes Harry and William as teenagers in 2003. Harry describes in his new memoir Spare how William ‘acted like he didn’t know him’ while the pair studied at the elite English boarding school Eton
Gary Sinise and John Malkovich in the 1992 film adaptation of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men
‘We were assigned to read in English language units. Unlike Shakespeare, Steinbeck did not need a translator. He wrote in the vernacular, plain and simple. Better yet, it was brief. Of mice and men: one hundred and fifty little pages of nothing.
‘And best of all: the argument was entertaining. Two uncles, George and Lennie, roam California looking for a place to call home, trying to overcome their limitations.’
Harry went on to explain he liked the book because neither man is a ‘genius,’ and its story of ‘friendship, loyalty and camaraderie.’
The prince also told of how the fictional siblings reminded him of himself and his brother William, who were two ‘nomads’ who endured the same ‘circumstances’ and ‘cared’ for one another.
But he said William ‘ignored’ his attempts to build bridges with one of the book’s best-known sayings; ‘You go crazy if you don’t have anyone.’
Harry’s memoir Spare was published in Spain today five days ahead of schedule
Harry claims in the book that his older brother froze him out at boarding school, determined to make his own friends and distance himself from his family.
Steinbeck’s book, widely taught in classrooms both in the UK and the US, ends with George shooting Lennie in a mercy killing.
The premise of the book hinges on Lennie being unaware of his own strength; he accidentally kills animals and then accidentally snaps the neck of his boss’ wife while stroking her hair.
Harry, describing his hatred of Shakespeare which enraged his father. He says he attempted to read Hamlet, but found the play’s parallels with tragedy he’d endured in his life too close for comfort, and gave up.
He describes being dragged to plays in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, by his father to watch plays.
Harry says he usually struggled to understand the action on stage – but that when he did, the words ‘burned’ because he found the similarities to his own life too eerie.
Harry’s book Spare was not due to be published until Tuesday but Spanish publishers jumped the gun, releasing it today.
In other sections of the book, Harry reveals how he lost his virginity to an ‘older woman’ who ‘spanked his a**’ as they made love in a field.
‘I mounted her quickly, after which she spanked my ass and sent me away. One of my many mistakes was letting it happen in a field, just behind a very busy pub,’ he said.
He also claims Wills and Kate ‘told’ him to wear the Nazi uniform that became his biggest shame in 2005, and that they’d ‘howled with laughter’ over it.
In one of the most damaging allegations to emerge from the book so far, he also claims his brother knocked him to the floor during a 2019 argument over how he and Meghan, and their strained relationship with the Royal Family.
Advertisement
For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel
hartford car insurance shop car insurance best car insurance quotes best online car insurance get auto insurance quotes auto insurance quotes most affordable car insurance car insurance providers car insurance best deals best insurance quotes get car insurance online best comprehensive car insurance best cheap auto insurance auto policy switching car insurance car insurance quotes auto insurance best affordable car insurance online auto insurance quotes az auto insurance commercial auto insurance instant car insurance buy car insurance online best auto insurance companies best car insurance policy best auto insurance vehicle insurance quotes aaa insurance quote auto and home insurance quotes car insurance search best and cheapest car insurance best price car insurance best vehicle insurance aaa car insurance quote find cheap car insurance new car insurance quote auto insurance companies get car insurance quotes best cheap car insurance car insurance policy online new car insurance policy get car insurance car insurance company best cheap insurance car insurance online quote car insurance finder comprehensive insurance quote car insurance quotes near me get insurance