MEGHAN Markle’s new £9.99 book has been blasted as a “dull, uninspiring vanity project” and “sentimental drivel” in scathing Amazon reviews.
The Duchess of Sussex’s 34-page The Bench was released today, giving a glimpse into the Sussexes’ “authentic” life at their LA home.
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The hardcover release of the book, on sale for £9.99, comes after Meghan and Harry’s daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Friday.
One review of The Bench, listed as an Amazon best seller, described it as “too long and too expensive for an infants book”.
The reviewer wrote: “Dull and uninspiring, it is unlikely to keep a child’s interest.
“The author appears to have no knowledge of young children. I can only surmise that this book is a vanity project for the purpose of lining the pockets of the author.
‘DRIVEL’
“It should be recategorised from children’s books to books for sycophants.”
Another wrote: “What an insincere pile of utter sentimental drivel. I agree with a previous review that it’s a vanity project.
“Why waste money on this rubbish when there are so many brilliant entertaining books around.”
And a third posted: “We didn’t enjoy this book at all – I have no idea why the author thought this story would appeal to children.
“It’s incredibly boring and uninspiring. Clearly based on the author’s life, it would have perhaps been better as a private project kept within the family that they can read themselves, and then treasure in the future.
“For anyone else, it’s just completely irrelevant.”
Another described the book for children aged one to seven listed as “overly sentimental and insincere
But other readers gave The Bench five stars and hailed it as “beautifully written and illustrated” and “a sweet story with beautiful illustrations”.
One person wrote: “A story that is inspiring. Would highly recommend.”
The book’s release comes after the royal couple announced the birth of their new daughter on their website, Archewell.
HARRY DEDICATION
Meghan has dedicated her new book to the “man and boy who make my heart go pump-pump” in a sweet note for Prince Harry and baby Archie.
The mum-of-two was “inspired” to write the book after originally creating a poem for Harry’s first Father’s Day from their son.
And the 39-year-old has already revealed a sneak peek inside the book – showing her love for the two men in her life.
A sneak peek inside the book shows Harry and Archie appear to feature in a cute illustration.
The picture shows a ginger-haired dad with a beard walking hand-in-hand with a child around Archie’s age.
Meghan’s touching dedication to Harry and Archie, reproduced from a hand-written note, reads: “For the man and the boy who make my heart go pump-pump.”
Meghan will also narrate an audiobook of the tale.
The duchess said: “The Bench started as a poem I wrote for my husband on Father’s Day, the month after Archie was born. That poem became this story.
“Christian layered in beautiful and ethereal watercolour illustrations that capture the warmth, joy and comfort of the relationship between fathers and sons from all walks of life.
“This representation was particularly important to me and Christian and I worked closely to depict this special bond through an inclusive lens.
“My hope is that The Bench resonates with every family, no matter the make up, as much as it does with me.”
