Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard

I read this book in a day. I couldn’t put it down. Tom has had such an interesting and incredible life. His story was really touching and inspiring. The insight and view from his perspective on the Harry Potter series are also fascinating. Great book, great guy.

What it's about:From the magical moments on set as Draco Malfoy to the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, get a backstage pass into Tom Felton’s life on and off the big screen with this audiobook read by the author.Tom Felton’s adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame in beloved films like The Borrowers catapulted him into the limelight, but nothing could prepare him for what was to come after he landed the iconic role of the Draco Malfoy, the bleached blonde villain of the Harry Potter movies. For the next ten years, he was at the center of a huge pop culture phenomenon and yet, in between filming, he would go back to being a normal teenager trying to fit into a normal school.Speaking with great candor and his signature humor, Tom shares his experience growing up as part of the wizarding world while also trying to navigate the muggle world. He tells stories from his early days in the business like his first acting gig where he was mistaken for fellow blonde child actor Macaulay Culkin and his Harry Potter audition where, in a very Draco-like move, he fudged how well he knew the books the series was based on (not at all). He reflects on his experiences working with cinematic greats such as Alan Rickman, Sir Michael Gambon, Dame Maggie Smith, and Ralph Fiennes (including that awkward Voldemort hug). And, perhaps most poignantly, he discusses the lasting relationships he made over that decade of filming, including with Emma Watson, who started out as a pesky nine-year-old whom he mocked for not knowing what a boom mic was but who soon grew into one of his dearest friends. Then, of course, there are the highs and lows of fame and navigating life after such a momentous and life-changing experience.What I thought:This book was amazing! Tom ripped his heart open and laid it all out there for us. He was funny heartfelt and relatable. You will leave this story feeling like you got to know who Tom is outside of being Draco Malfoy. He has always been my favorite Harry Potter actor, after this book he forever will be.....#bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #b #read #bookaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #bookshelf #booklove #love #bookreview #bookcommunity #bookblogger #instabooks #booklovers #reader #igreads #bookrecommendations

First off, I'd like to thank the book editors for putting the Introduction writer's name at the *front* of the introduction. Too many times I'm reading an introduction or preface and have no clue who's speaking until the end, which can be pages away.Early on Tom notes that the cast was chosen *because* of their similarity to the characters. It's no accident that Emma is like Hermione. This may not seem like big news but I found it revealing. Being that sort of person already means you just play yourself saying those words. With an untrained cast of children it would be much harder to pretend to be somebody you don't know. It also explains why Evanna Lynch got the part of Luna - she told them she *was Luna* at the audition. David Heyman once said that the other tryouts were acting as Luna but Evanna *was* Luna. When the actor already has their character built-in, getting them to act that way comes naturally. This sort of casting methodology may be why the movies succeeded.I found it full of interesting anecdotes and it was definitely enjoyable for a Harry Potter fan like me. I was surprised to find out that Tom had acted before, and in a major movie. Tom also tells of several embarrassing situations that most people would rather leave out (such as botching an audition). It takes guts to put things like that in print.The book makes for quick reading, but for Harry Potter fans, it offers one more peek behind the scenes. Best of luck to Tom as he makes the adjustment to the next stage of his career.Edit: Okay, I wrote my review a chapter too soon. The latter part of the book deals with some serious personal troubles Tom went through and it sounds like he came out of it for the better. But life isn't easy when you've chosen acting as a career. It can take your self-esteem for a roller-coaster ride.

I couldn't put this book down. It was fabulously funny and endearing. I loved peeking behind the scenes of my favorite movies. Tom has great charm, wit, and self-deprecating humor that makes for a delightful book. I also appreciated his authenticity into his real life. It's not all fairy tales and happy endings. But this book gives you hope that, It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.

Muy buena calidad, bien protegido. Lo único que no me gustó es que la portada del libro es totalmente negra si le quito la hoja de arriba.

Tudo

What a lovely read! I finished the book in 3 days since i didn't have time to read it in one sitting. Very funny, casual, lighthearted yet vulnerable. Tom tells the whole raw unfiltered truth about his experience with fame along with its ups and downs, funny behind the scenes and mishaps while filming Harry Potter and his other later films after his Harry Potter Career. He also tells some stories about his earlier careers while filming the burrowers, Anna and the king, and other commercials. More details and funny stories are included about himself and his chaotic yet loving muggle family, as well as about his relationships with the Gryffindors Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint, Alfred Enoch, and his slytherin minions Jamie Waylett and Josh Herdman (P.S he, Jamie, and Josh were quite the troublemakers and tested everyone's patience and sanity, you will find out more once you read this memoir, long story short the bronze trio are slytherins in the making). His mother is definitely quite the rockstar raising 4 boys and balanced 3 jobs just to get Tom and his brothers whatever they wanted when they were kids. He also explained how he met his girlfriend Jade (she's a Gryffindor, yikes), his life in LA, along with his struggle with rehab and substance abuse. The book starts funny but gets progressively darker post his Harry Potter Era as he struggled with rehab, substance abuse, and mental health. I never came across such casual, funny yet honest read. You can tell Tom put alot of effort in this memoir and it shows, and exposed quite the vulnerability as he told all the readers around the world about his struggle with fame and mental health, he also made sure to remind all readers to take care of themselves and their mental health. I am so glad that Emma Watson inspired him to tell his whole story as his experience with rehab, substance abuse, and mental health is relatable to almost if not all readers (whether you have rehab, substance abuse issues, and/or mental health issues). It reminds you that celebrities are not perfect and just like you have issues themselves too. He also reveals some traits about his real self outside acting (you can read and find out more details once you read his memoir). The memoir gives a simple yet casual vibe of a simple man talking to the reader about himself and his experiences (no formal celebrity talking to fan vibe if you know what i mean. no filtered truth and selective phrases). The book is also very simple to read and understand, no formal words, lengthy and/or complex vocabulary. Funny, lighthearted, blunt, and straightforward. Special thanks to Tom for writing this.Would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about Tom or simply wants to know more details about filming Harry Potter and behind the scenes. The book also includes some photos too.

Petfecto

It is amazing to see what people have to face in life... Glad you got it sorted Tom. I am a bit surprised that you didn't turn to Emma or your Potted family when your ship was sinking. Enjoyed reading your book. Btw... I read all HP books at least five times... I am watching the films again... And again... But I think I will see draco from a different eye.Good luck Tom 🎸😀