The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
Ratings80
Average rating4.2
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLER 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. 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. Tom Felton’s Beyond the Wand is an entertaining, funny, and poignant must-read for any Harry Potter fan. Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.
Reviews with the most likes.
Im rating this 5 stars because i love this man too much to give it any less
Great autobiography! Really enjoyed reading about Tom's life and how certain things affected his points of view.
3.5 stars if you are a fan of the Harry Potter movies you will love this book. If you are like me and haven't watched them all but still kinda enjoyed them, this is probably also enjoyable.
Honestly, my favourite parts of this book were the parts before and after Draco Malfoy fame. This was an ok memoir. Again, probably would have enjoyed more if I cared about the Harry Potter franchise.
We love a mental health journey!! And the behind-the-scenes Harry Potter deets. Spoiler: Tom Felton is wildly nice and there is nothing but wonderful things about his cast-mates. No tell-all dirt here, folks.