Meghan Markle’s Book Faces Plagiarism Accusations, ‘Copied’ Author Denies Them
Image via Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.com and Amazon
Meghan Markle is launching her first children’s book, titled The Bench, on June 8.
The book speaks about the connection between a father and son, seen through the eyes of a mother; and was inspired by Prince Harry’s relationship with their son, Archie. It was illustrated by Christian Robinson.
However, the Duchess of Sussex has been accused of plagiarizing The Boy on the Bench, which was written by Corrinne Averiss and illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo.
According to Insider, The Boy on the Bench is a story about a boy named Tom who tries to overcome being an outcast while playing on the playground with other children. It is described on Amazon as a “gentle, empathetic story about overcoming fears and being yourself.”
The author has now come out to dispel plagiarism accusations and to show support for the Duchess.
“Reading the description and published excerpt of the Duchess’s new book, this is not the same story or the same theme as The Boy on the Bench. I don’t see any similarities,” Averiss tweeted.
Markle’s publisher, Penguin Random House, has not responded to any requests for comments.
There are suspicious similarities between this book and “The Boy on the Bench” by Corrinne Averiss; one wonders if someone involved in packaging Meghan’s proposal ‘borrowed’ the concept.
— Jessica Hillside (@JessicaHillside) May 5, 2021
Meghan's book is REMARKABLY SIMILAR to a book called, "The Boy on the Bench" by Corrine Averiss. The Averiss book is a story "about the love between a father & a son, & describes how the boy learns to socialise confidently." Perhaps Corrine Averiss will consider legal action? pic.twitter.com/A2RoJOR85g
— Nickster63 (@Nickster632) May 4, 2021
Is it plagiarism from the book The Boy On The Bench?
— Meenakshi Kumar 🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@meenakumar08) May 4, 2021
BOOM!!!!! Media picked it up! Woohoo
— According2Taz (@superscuba83) May 5, 2021
Did Meghan Markle COPY children's author with The Bench? https://t.co/LId1vbXBjm via @Femail
Reading the description and published excerpt of the Duchess’s new book, this is not the same story or the same theme as The Boy on the Bench. I don’t see any similarities.
— Corrinne Averiss (@CorrinneAveriss) May 5, 2021
[via Insider, cover image via Shaun Jeffers / Shutterstock.com and Amazon]
