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

As soon as I saw that Tom was writing a book, I was ecstatic. I'll admit to having a slight crush on Draco (who doesn't love a bad boy?!) but I have an even bigger one on Tom. He's adorable and genuine, and the fact that he's as big of a Potterhead as the rest of us makes him even more amazing. I went into this book expecting to get a few insights on Tom's personal life and some fun behind-the-scenes facts about the filming of Harry Potter. He more than delivered on that, let me tell you. The chapter about Alan Rickman itself had me roaring with laughter. What I didn't expect, however, was a poignant and raw account of his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. I went from stifling the giggles about "Don't step on my f**king show more cloak!!!" to fighting back tears hearing him discuss the challenges of mental illness and the struggle of seeking help. The ending alone in which he describes what it really means to be a "rich person" is enough of a reason to pick up the book and read it if you're debating it. In today's world, it is so easy to lose sight of the important things and what it truly means to be happy. Thank you, Tom, for reminding us of what really matters. show less

Dear Mr. Tom Felton,
Thank you for your fun, enlightening, thought-provoking book. I enjoyed the light-hearted, as seen in retrospect, view of shenanigans during the filming of the Harry Potter films. I delighted in your "who?" reactions to actors such as Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Alan Rickman, Sir Richard Harris, Sir Michael Gambon, although none of them had those titles at the beginning of those films. It was great to see them shown as real people.

But what I liked best were your "let me show you the holes in my overcoat" moments, identifying the times when you faced real, life defining moments -- sonmetimes going right, sometimes left. Your "it's on me" perspective was so important to really see you as a person for whom not everything show more went smoothly or well. You showed how critical it is, especially when things go wrong, to look at your own self in the mirror an guage what you did wrong.

You showed moments where wisdom showed itself in your life and you were able to snag and hold on to those, they helping you hold on to and create more "normalcy" in your life. I'm most grateful for those because the perspective they helped you create means that we, your fans, may well be able to have you share your talents with us for many years to come. show less

Wow, that ending! I was crying my heart out and feeling calm and happy, and rich. I really enjoyed all the book and getting a fresh new perspective on the Harry Potter films and the unconventional childhood and adolescence of Tom, but those last couple chapters really earned the five star rating for me. I'll always look at Draco Malfoy differently now.

I have recently been re-watching the Harry Potter movies in sequence. So, when I saw a memoir by Tom Felton, the actor who played Draco Malfoy, I decided it would be an excellent supplement to my nostalgic journey through the films. Felton recounts his childhood and family life, how he got the role in the Harry Potter series, interactions with notable performers, and later in the book, his struggles with addiction and mental health issues. The writing is colloquial and provides a sense of the author’s personality. He shares a few characteristics with Draco, including a mischievous streak. I found it interesting than some fans have trouble distinguishing the actor from the role. This book is filled with self-deprecating humor. I show more laughed out loud at several of his stories. He seems to be a natural storyteller. I particularly enjoyed his anecdotes about the filming of his movies. I listened to the audio book, read by the author, and he does a fabulous job. show less

This book offers a unique take on the familiar memoir format. Exploring personal and professional memories, Tom’s perspective, rooted in his wizarding world experiences, is both humble and honest. While the narrative is marked by a reflective tone, the book's conclusion feels abrupt, lacking the necessary distance for true introspection. Tom artfully describes his development, highlighting impactful relationships and gracefully extending love and respect to his past self. The central theme of these relationships shaping his growth is beautifully explored, particularly in his interactions with fellow cast members. The writing style is clear, friendly, and easily accessible, with playful script-like cuts enhancing the reading show more experience. Emotionally resonant, the memoir evokes laughter and tears, fostering empathy for the young Harry Potter cast and addressing universal themes of mental health and self-reflection. One of the most poignant moments is his candid admission that he's no longer afraid to say he's not okay, a revelation that hits home. This was a beautiful, heartfelt memoir and I know if he writes another reflection in 20 years, I will love that too. show less

Allow me to preface this with the fact that I do not like to read biographies. To me they feel too much like bad blind dates where the other party only talks about themselves and over shares way too much.

That being said, this was a gift from my husband who knows I’m a fan. I suppose I went in expecting ego, set secrets, and mild self reflection. What I received was refreshingly unexpected.

Tom Felton wrote with an unpolished voice that bordered on “laddish” but displayed his willingness to be honest and unpretentious about his life. While I tend to find laddishness to be personally irritating, Tom’s voice came through as genuine and I was able to overlook it and actually enjoy his storytelling.

He had nothing poor or scandalous to show more say of his cast mates, so sorry for anyone searching for spicy behind the scenes behavior. Most of the “bad antics” bits were common teen misadventures. Tom’s sense of mischievousness and joy for acting came through the pages. You could honestly feel the warmth he shared with the cast.

The final chapters of the book were the hardest to read. I won’t say much on the matter because it is not my story to tell, but I was touched by Tom’s plea to fans and readers to seek mental health treatment and to never allow the stigma of therapy to lead you down a self destructive path. show less

I have recently been re-watching the Harry Potter movies in sequence. So, when I saw a memoir by Tom Felton, the actor who played Draco Malfoy, I decided it would be an excellent supplement to my nostalgic journey through the films. Felton recounts his childhood and family life, how he got the role in the Harry Potter series, interactions with notable performers, and later in the book, his struggles with addiction and mental health issues. The writing is colloquial and provides a sense of the author’s personality. He shares a few characteristics with Draco, including a mischievous streak. I found it interesting than some fans have trouble distinguishing the actor from the role. This book is filled with self-deprecating humor. I show more laughed out loud at several of his stories. He seems to be a natural storyteller. I particularly enjoyed his anecdotes about the filming of his movies. I listened to the audio book, read by the author, and he does a fabulous job. show less