Meghan Markle faced severe criticism from Australian news host Rowan Dean, who labeled her first children’s book, The Bench, as “garbage” and “torturous poetry.”
The Duchess of Sussex recently released a video promoting her book, which prompted Dean to express his disdain for the content.
During a segment on Sky News Australia, Dean slammed Meghan Markle‘s poem-reading video, insisting that it was unbearable to listen to and should come with a trigger warning due to its poor quality.
Dean did not hold back in his critique, likening the experience of listening to Meghan’s poetry to “waterboarding” and “torture.”
He highlighted the lack of rhyme and coherence in her work, describing it as “boring as bat droppings” and worse than a catchy cat video that lingers in one’s mind.
Dean questioned why anyone would subject their friends to such “garbage,” emphasizing the need for a warning about the detrimental impact on one’s taste and mental well-being.
In the video posted on the Brightly Storytime channel, Meghan Markle shared that she had written The Bench as a poem for her husband and son Archie before turning it into a book for a wider audience.
Despite the backlash, Meghan expressed her joy in sharing the story, encouraging viewers to find their special place to share with loved ones.
This reading was not the first time Meghan had shared her book, as she previously visited a school in Harlem to read to second graders.
The criticism towards Meghan Markle’s book extended to Australian TV hosts who burst into laughter while watching her read on the Today show.
The hosts struggled to maintain composure, with newsreader Alex Cullen admitting the difficulty in keeping a straight face despite acknowledging the story’s positive aspects.
However, fans of Meghan have commended her for ensuring that her books contribute to charitable causes.
Upon signing a book deal with Penguin Random House, Meghan ensured that a humanitarian element was incorporated into her projects.
As part of this initiative, 2,000 copies of The Bench were distributed for free to schools and libraries across the US, with one institution in Los Angeles receiving a copy for each child under their care.
The Assistance League of LA, dedicated to supporting at-risk children and families, expressed gratitude to Meghan Markle for her donation, showcasing the impact of her philanthropic efforts.
Related Stories
