Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up A Wizard by Tom Felton

4.9 (14)
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Web ID: 15160609

From the magical moments on set as Draco Malfoy to the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, get a backstage pass into Tom Feltons life on and off the big screen. Tom Feltons 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).

  • Product Features

    • Author - Gold Crest LLC/ Mighty Bright
    • Publisher - Grand Central Publishing
    • Publication Date - 10-18-2022
    • Page Count - 304
    • Hardcover
    • Adult
    • Movies & TV
    • Product Dimensions - 5.9 W x 9.2 H x 1.2 D
    • ISBN-13 - 9781538741368
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9/5

14 star ratings & reviews

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1 year ago
from Wahiawa, HI

Deeper than I'd anticipated...

See disclaimer at the end of the review. There is no question that the referenced series, despite the creator’s more recent behavior, has become a part of the cultural identity. Tom Felton is a huge part of that. But Beyond the Wand is just that, Tom’s story as it expands beyond that world. In many ways, the book is a nostalgic journey through Tom’s experience in a childhood most of us can’t imagine. And while these trips down memory lane were fun, the book is so much more than that. Tom’s life wasn’t always as magical as his famous counterpart. There were bumps, and Felton doesn’t shy away from talking about those bumps in depth. The book was far heavier than I anticipated, raw and real and deeply emotional. He is brutally honest about his life, without trying to paint himself with a more positive brush. He is very open about his struggles with both addiction and mental health. He tells it all, no matter how ugly it might be. I came away from this book with a deeper understanding, and with a lot of respect for him. If you are looking for a trip back to the fandom, this probably isn’t the book for that. But it is an excellent read by a favorite actor who isn’t afraid to be honest. Disclaimer This review is solely for this memoir. It is a review independent from the fandom/original series that is referenced throughout Beyond the Wand. I do not support the writer nor her hateful opinions that she has publicly expressed.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from Ny

Well written! 🦆

I just finished listening to this today on audiobook and I just have to say Wow! I originally got it because I needed to redeem an audiobook credit and I was curious to listen to an autobiography of an individual I grew up watching on tv/theaters. What a powerful experience this book was. Tom wasn’t afraid to give the nitty-gritty about his life- I feel so honored that he felt comfortable sharing with his readers. If he ever decides to write more books (autobiographical/fiction etc) I will be a loyal reader! I love that he narrated his own book. This book resulted in laughter, tears, surprise, cringing and awe. I definitely recommend this book- if you enjoy audiobooks this is definitely a must listen to! 🦆

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from Atlanta, GA

Fiction Lux Review

Harry Potter has been a huge part of my life. I grew up with the books, loved the movies. I loved his book. I would definitely recommend it to anybody And the only reason I wanted to read his book was because I'm a big fan of his. He has taught me what it's like in life, being grateful , being open, and if I struggle with stress or any problems I know how to deal with them now. Try and learn to make the right decisions and live my life. And this comes from a person that Did not know how to let go of any problem I had.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Good Reading

He’s a wizard, maybe, but he’s a lot more and fascinating, too. I will admit here and now that I’m not a Potter-head. I read every one of the Harry Potter books, but I didn’t get into the movies as much as others. I waited until they were on TV or didn’t watch them. I had other things to do. But I did like the books and I read them because I was told they were good books. I came across the actor Tom Felton through the TV show “The Flash”. The family watched it, so I did, too. That’s when I noticed him. He plays a good bad guy. I know that sounds odd. He’s good at being the heavy. So, when I saw this book recommended at my local library, I had to check it out. I’m glad I did. This book talks about his Harry Potter days. I mean, it should. He spent a lot of his life doing it. But there’s so much more. It’s about him as a person. His struggles, his depression, his bouts in rehab. It’s not flowery or fancy. It’s a guy who happens to be famous writing about his life and struggles. It’s like talking to a friend through a book. That’s how it reads–very relatable. If you’re looking for insight into Harry Potter or want inside scoops on the filming, you might not get what you’re looking for. If you are wanting a book about an actor who could take or leave acting, who has had ups and downs and is still standing, then this might be the book for you. I recommend it highly. originally posted at long and short reviews

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Great Audiobook!

The wizard we all loved to hate wrote a book! I was just out of the target audience when Harry Potter was first published but have since done multiple rereads with my children of the series and watched the movies countless times. When the bleached blonde Malfoy child steps into the screen he's so believably the villain you forget that he is being portrayed by a twelve year old child, Tom Felton. Felton found himself dropped into the middle of the huge life altering wave known as Potter and rode it for the next decade dropping him on the other side into adulthood. Felton shares honestly and openly his experiences growing up Malfoy, his on and off-screen family life, his teenage antics (some legal, some not) and what life was like for him post-Hogwarts. The chaos, creativity and the highs and lows that come along with fame at a young age are all explored in "Beyond the Wand". I can't recommend the audio version enough as it is narrated by the author himself which adds the cherry on top of this awesome read. I was so disappointed when the last chapter rolled around not wanting this one to end. I highly recommend reading this one for all Potter fans to peer behind the curtain as to what it was like for the Muggle actors in one of the most iconic movie series of all time.

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  • Photo from The Booked Mama

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago

Brillantly done, very nice read.

Im a potter head at heart & this was a real treat truly. Felton has quite the funny bone, so definetly not a boring book at all. I wish I could read more actually. Sequal? :)

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from mande

Fascinating

I love the behind-the-scenes looks that are the standard in celebrity biographies; you really feel like you get to know all the actors through these scenes. But this book was more than just Harry Potter outtakes. You get to know the more playful side of the actor and learn about his family. Tom Felton shows his vulnerability when he details his stint at rehab and how he’s still struggling. I also enjoyed having him read it to me, although, at times, I found his laugh a little creepy. Highly recommended!

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from Texas

Fascinating read

I do not usually read autobiographies but after reading Emma Watson's forward I had to pick it up. Tom Felton writes as though he is sitting on the couch talking to a good friend. He is funny, honest, and self-deprecating. He is serious but not preachy. He relates it all knowing he made mistakes and learned, eventually, from them. Read it and see! I really think you will enjoy this book. Thank you, Tom.

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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com