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Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard
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 in this #1 New York Times bestseller.
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.
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.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2022
About the author
Tom Felton
7 books739 followersTom Felton is an English actor, best known for playing Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films. He has also appeared in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Belle, The Flash, A United Kingdom, The Forgotten Battle and 2.22 A Ghost Story in London's West End. He lives in London with his dog Willow.
His memoir, “Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard” is to be released in Autumn 2022.
His memoir, “Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard” is to be released in Autumn 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 16,396 reviews
June 26, 2024
New audiobook favorite just moved its way right into one of my top 3 favorite memoirs EVER! For any Harry Potter fans out there, oh my gosh immediately add this to the top of your audiobook TBR! So many HP innuendos and little inside jokes and comments, I smiled the entire way through this one. LOVE LOVE LOVE 🪄
October 20, 2022
I think I'm a little in love with Tom Felton. I had this on audio and it was brilliant. The insights into Tom's world when filming the Harry Potter movies and some of his other movies was really cool. I appreciated how honest he was about some of his problems. His voice was magnificent and really captured that raw emotion. Loved it!
June 5, 2024
i feel like he could write his own Dramione fanfic
March 8, 2023
There is something uniquely nostalgic about listening to your first movie crush talk about his time as a child on the set of your favorite childhood fictional world. (If you’re planning on reading this, get the audiobook!!)
If you're of a certain age... Then you read, watched, and/or consumed media about a certain series. You know the one I mean. You're reading this review, and it's for a memoir about one of the actors. This series' prevalence in our popular culture has permeated the veil of basic cultural knowledge—for good or for ill—and it is a massive part of my generation's upbringing and cultural sense of identity.
More recent news about its creator aside*, I find myself inescapably drawn to news about characters, actors, and stories centered on this world that I adored as a teenager.
And, most importantly for this particular review: I was a girl that was absolutely obsessed with Draco Malfoy.
Now, let's not dwell on my ~interesting~ taste in love interests. I loved the bad boy, I loved the snark. I thought his tragic backstory had heart to it and I joined the legions of fans who looked into the mirror and saw Draco's hidden good sides.
Sooooooo I naturally latched on to Draco's actor, Tom Felton. He was synonymous with Draco, after all. And for this audiobook experience in Beyond the Wand, I found that Tom's voice immediately took me back to that place and that time, when those characters were a yearly appearance and they ruled the world's stage.
Beyond the Wand is nothing less than the perfect nostalgic trip through time condensed through the keyhole of Tom Felton's particular experience in an extraordinary childhood and surrounded by the culture of the 1990s, 2000s, and now.
Now, don't get me wrong: Tom's life was large outside of his time as Draco Malfoy. And it's had some bumps in the road. This book got much heavier than I expected, and much more honest. Tom's here to share his whole life's story, after all, and not just a part of it. I appreciated that. I feel like Tom and Draco are more separate in my head because of it—and that's probably a good thing.
Read this if you were one of those kids like me. It was a wonderful experience, and Tom's narration on the audiobook was perfection. I recommend giving it a listen!
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
*This review is for Tom's memoir, to be taken as separate from the larger fandom and official series that is referenced in Beyond the Wand. I do not support the original series creator and do not condone recent harmful opinions expressed by them. Please take this review as an endorsement of Tom Felton's work and his alone, not a larger endorsement for the series. Thank you.
If you're of a certain age... Then you read, watched, and/or consumed media about a certain series. You know the one I mean. You're reading this review, and it's for a memoir about one of the actors. This series' prevalence in our popular culture has permeated the veil of basic cultural knowledge—for good or for ill—and it is a massive part of my generation's upbringing and cultural sense of identity.
More recent news about its creator aside*, I find myself inescapably drawn to news about characters, actors, and stories centered on this world that I adored as a teenager.
And, most importantly for this particular review: I was a girl that was absolutely obsessed with Draco Malfoy.
Now, let's not dwell on my ~interesting~ taste in love interests. I loved the bad boy, I loved the snark. I thought his tragic backstory had heart to it and I joined the legions of fans who looked into the mirror and saw Draco's hidden good sides.
Sooooooo I naturally latched on to Draco's actor, Tom Felton. He was synonymous with Draco, after all. And for this audiobook experience in Beyond the Wand, I found that Tom's voice immediately took me back to that place and that time, when those characters were a yearly appearance and they ruled the world's stage.
Beyond the Wand is nothing less than the perfect nostalgic trip through time condensed through the keyhole of Tom Felton's particular experience in an extraordinary childhood and surrounded by the culture of the 1990s, 2000s, and now.
Now, don't get me wrong: Tom's life was large outside of his time as Draco Malfoy. And it's had some bumps in the road. This book got much heavier than I expected, and much more honest. Tom's here to share his whole life's story, after all, and not just a part of it. I appreciated that. I feel like Tom and Draco are more separate in my head because of it—and that's probably a good thing.
Read this if you were one of those kids like me. It was a wonderful experience, and Tom's narration on the audiobook was perfection. I recommend giving it a listen!
Blog | Instagram | Libro.fm Audiobooks
*This review is for Tom's memoir, to be taken as separate from the larger fandom and official series that is referenced in Beyond the Wand. I do not support the original series creator and do not condone recent harmful opinions expressed by them. Please take this review as an endorsement of Tom Felton's work and his alone, not a larger endorsement for the series. Thank you.
October 29, 2022
"There was no discussion on set about whether Draco knows for sure if this is Harry. My opinion is that he knows exactly who it is. So why doesn't he say so? The reason, it seems to me, is that the boy who had no choice finally gets one."
Oh, boy, where to start with this one? Having just come off of finishing the last 60 pages, I feel like I just went through the most intense emotional whiplash possible. That in mind, let me start at the beginning.
I, of course, picked up this book as someone who has been a Harry Potter fan since I was a teenager. More than that, as someone who has been a Tom Felton fan since I was a teenager. Draco was definitely one of my first big crushes, I got to meet Tom Felton at Fan Expo in high school (I still have the autograph and photo op in a binder somewhere), and I watched a lot of movies I really didn't enjoy just because Tom Felton was in them. So naturally, years later, when Tom Felton writes his autobiography, of course I had to pick it up - and a signed copy no less.
I should say that, first and foremost, I'm reading Beyond the Wand coming off of Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died. That book was shocking, horrifying, scandalous, difficult, incredible - and I think that I might've gone into Felton's book with the expectations that it would be the same, even though that wasn't the case. Long story short? About 80% of Beyond the Wand is really just... nothing. It's unremarkable. It's Tom Felton introducing us to people he knew, saying how nice they were, and then moving on. I honestly can't understand how the first 200 pages were just about absolutely nothing. Maybe I was looking for something jaw-dropping and scandalous that we'd never heard before from the Harry Potter set, but I was just a little disappointed. Not only that, but a lot of how he writes about people feels... I don't know, maybe too nice? Every single person he talks about, he gushes about how wonderful they are. It seems disingenuous, and I can't tell if that's because Felton really does see the best in people, if HP still has him under some kind of tight contract, or if he just doesn't want to risk pissing anyone off.
All of that being said, once I hit chapter 26? Holy shit. That was what I was looking for, with this book - it's raw, unappealing, and it's genuine. It's unflattering, it's heartwrenching, but more importantly, it's honest. Felton talks frankly about his mental health struggles, his time in rehab, his time out of rehab, and for the first time in Beyond the Wand, it felt like he was actually writing his story as opposed to trying to please a bunch of Harry Potter fans. Honestly, I think chapter 26 and 27 had the fewest amount of Harry Potter references in them, and good - which, by the way? Way too many HP references in this book. I get it, man, you were in Harry Potter. We know. We read this book because of it. You don't need to keep dropping a 'my family is more like the Weasleys than the Malfoys haha!' or 'the building was so big it reminded me of Gringotts.' Way too many forced HP references. Way too many.
Point being, if the entire book had been written like chapters 26 and 27, Beyond the Wand would've easily been a five-star read. There's one passage on page 283 that I really loved, about comparing the way we talk about mental health to how we talk about sports: if it's so easy to talk about the highs and lows of a game, why isn't it easy to talk about the highs and lows of our emotions? I really loved that Felton hit the nail on the head when it comes to talking about mental health, and especially when it comes to talking about mental health in men. There's a negative connotation around mental health and rehab regardless, but there's also so many instances in Beyond the Wand when Felton talks about the disconnect between being emotional and being a traditionally masculine, British man. It was a beautiful passage, and I'm almost angry that Beyond the Wand was what it was, when I know for a clear fact that Felton is capable of writing with so much more depth.
Look, this wasn't a bad book by any means. It was just... mostly mediocre. The ending? Phenomenal, amazing, wonderful, loved it, 10/10. But whether or not you'd actually want to read 250 okay-ish pages just to get to that point is up to you. This is a fairly solid 3.5/5 book for me, and if nothing else, I'm content in knowing that my teenage self would've absolutely hated me for not reading this book.
Oh, boy, where to start with this one? Having just come off of finishing the last 60 pages, I feel like I just went through the most intense emotional whiplash possible. That in mind, let me start at the beginning.
I, of course, picked up this book as someone who has been a Harry Potter fan since I was a teenager. More than that, as someone who has been a Tom Felton fan since I was a teenager. Draco was definitely one of my first big crushes, I got to meet Tom Felton at Fan Expo in high school (I still have the autograph and photo op in a binder somewhere), and I watched a lot of movies I really didn't enjoy just because Tom Felton was in them. So naturally, years later, when Tom Felton writes his autobiography, of course I had to pick it up - and a signed copy no less.
I should say that, first and foremost, I'm reading Beyond the Wand coming off of Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mom Died. That book was shocking, horrifying, scandalous, difficult, incredible - and I think that I might've gone into Felton's book with the expectations that it would be the same, even though that wasn't the case. Long story short? About 80% of Beyond the Wand is really just... nothing. It's unremarkable. It's Tom Felton introducing us to people he knew, saying how nice they were, and then moving on. I honestly can't understand how the first 200 pages were just about absolutely nothing. Maybe I was looking for something jaw-dropping and scandalous that we'd never heard before from the Harry Potter set, but I was just a little disappointed. Not only that, but a lot of how he writes about people feels... I don't know, maybe too nice? Every single person he talks about, he gushes about how wonderful they are. It seems disingenuous, and I can't tell if that's because Felton really does see the best in people, if HP still has him under some kind of tight contract, or if he just doesn't want to risk pissing anyone off.
All of that being said, once I hit chapter 26? Holy shit. That was what I was looking for, with this book - it's raw, unappealing, and it's genuine. It's unflattering, it's heartwrenching, but more importantly, it's honest. Felton talks frankly about his mental health struggles, his time in rehab, his time out of rehab, and for the first time in Beyond the Wand, it felt like he was actually writing his story as opposed to trying to please a bunch of Harry Potter fans. Honestly, I think chapter 26 and 27 had the fewest amount of Harry Potter references in them, and good - which, by the way? Way too many HP references in this book. I get it, man, you were in Harry Potter. We know. We read this book because of it. You don't need to keep dropping a 'my family is more like the Weasleys than the Malfoys haha!' or 'the building was so big it reminded me of Gringotts.' Way too many forced HP references. Way too many.
Point being, if the entire book had been written like chapters 26 and 27, Beyond the Wand would've easily been a five-star read. There's one passage on page 283 that I really loved, about comparing the way we talk about mental health to how we talk about sports: if it's so easy to talk about the highs and lows of a game, why isn't it easy to talk about the highs and lows of our emotions? I really loved that Felton hit the nail on the head when it comes to talking about mental health, and especially when it comes to talking about mental health in men. There's a negative connotation around mental health and rehab regardless, but there's also so many instances in Beyond the Wand when Felton talks about the disconnect between being emotional and being a traditionally masculine, British man. It was a beautiful passage, and I'm almost angry that Beyond the Wand was what it was, when I know for a clear fact that Felton is capable of writing with so much more depth.
Look, this wasn't a bad book by any means. It was just... mostly mediocre. The ending? Phenomenal, amazing, wonderful, loved it, 10/10. But whether or not you'd actually want to read 250 okay-ish pages just to get to that point is up to you. This is a fairly solid 3.5/5 book for me, and if nothing else, I'm content in knowing that my teenage self would've absolutely hated me for not reading this book.
Read
January 18, 2023draco trended on tiktok for like two months 3 years ago and bro refuses to let it go
July 16, 2023
As a person who’s not particularly drawn to memoirs nor to the evolution of child stars into adults, I find myself having just finished my THIRD such book this year! I’m sure a therapist would tell me that I’m processing my own childhood through the safe lens of looking at someone else’s. I’m also sure my parents would be pleased that my expensive college education in psychology has served me so well. 😉 Whatever the reason, when I saw that Tom Felton - “Draco” of Harry Potter movie fame - had written a memoir, my curiosity was piqued!
This didn’t disappoint. Whereas the character of Draco was sneering, mocking, contemptuous and entitled, Tom Felton, the man, is self-effacing, witty, insightful and ever so kind as he recalls his journey into acting, the hugely formative years of filming the Harry Potter movies and his experiences, both good and bad, as an actor and person after that ended. The insights into the filming of the Harry Potter movies, which I love, was especially fun.
You won’t find one bit of salacious gossip or back-biting toward anyone he acted alongside, which was soooo refreshing. Quite the opposite, he lifts up and praises his fellow actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham-Carter and many others, and shares deeply thoughtful insights and hilarious anecdotes that are sure to bring tears or chuckles to their fans. His chapter on Emma was particularly poignant and sweet. I finished this book thinking … I want a friend like this!
Not all was rosy and positive. Tom details his more mischievous, ornery and occasionally disruptive ways as a child actor and adult as well. Sadly, as it feels almost cliche for former child actors, he's also experienced some mental health issues that he used alcohol and weed to cope with until life forced the issue of getting help. To see him make the choice to change and reap the benefits of that is inspiring, and you really can’t help but root for him as a person.
If you’re going to get this book, I can’t recommend the audiobook highly enough. Tom narrates it himself and it has to be one of the most endearing, sweet audiobook experiences I’ve ever listened to!
He may have been a bad boy onscreen, but I can’t see anything but a good man now!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Libby and my library for this audiobook.
This didn’t disappoint. Whereas the character of Draco was sneering, mocking, contemptuous and entitled, Tom Felton, the man, is self-effacing, witty, insightful and ever so kind as he recalls his journey into acting, the hugely formative years of filming the Harry Potter movies and his experiences, both good and bad, as an actor and person after that ended. The insights into the filming of the Harry Potter movies, which I love, was especially fun.
You won’t find one bit of salacious gossip or back-biting toward anyone he acted alongside, which was soooo refreshing. Quite the opposite, he lifts up and praises his fellow actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, Helena Bonham-Carter and many others, and shares deeply thoughtful insights and hilarious anecdotes that are sure to bring tears or chuckles to their fans. His chapter on Emma was particularly poignant and sweet. I finished this book thinking … I want a friend like this!
Not all was rosy and positive. Tom details his more mischievous, ornery and occasionally disruptive ways as a child actor and adult as well. Sadly, as it feels almost cliche for former child actors, he's also experienced some mental health issues that he used alcohol and weed to cope with until life forced the issue of getting help. To see him make the choice to change and reap the benefits of that is inspiring, and you really can’t help but root for him as a person.
If you’re going to get this book, I can’t recommend the audiobook highly enough. Tom narrates it himself and it has to be one of the most endearing, sweet audiobook experiences I’ve ever listened to!
He may have been a bad boy onscreen, but I can’t see anything but a good man now!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Libby and my library for this audiobook.
May 8, 2023
Being an actor sure comes in handy when recording an audiobook. Tom Felton’s narration of his memoir, Beyond the Wand, may very well be the best celebrity performance I’ve heard yet.
Felton shares so many terrific stories – from his childhood, from his years playing Draco Malfoy on the Harry Potter set, and later, from his battle with depression and substance abuse – and they are all told with refreshing frankness and a dry, acerbic wit. It’s just story after story; laughter followed by more laughter.
Most listeners, too, will be thrilled by what Felton has to say. He’s open about his relationships with his former castmates (most notably, Emma Watson), and he has great anecdotes featuring the legends he’s acted alongside such as Dame Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Gary Oldman.
The biggest takeaway, though: Mr. Felton was an ornery, handful of a child. He got into trouble at home, in school, on the set, and even in rehab, all grown up. Perhaps his parents should write a memoir about what it was like to raise Tom Felton. They would have oodles to write about, I’m sure.
As a Harry Potter fan and muggle, Beyond the Wand took me back to the years I spent immersed in the world of Hogwarts. It was a pleasant trip down memory lane, and because of it, I now see Draco in a new light.
You’re right, Tom. Draco is the boy who didn’t have a choice.
Felton shares so many terrific stories – from his childhood, from his years playing Draco Malfoy on the Harry Potter set, and later, from his battle with depression and substance abuse – and they are all told with refreshing frankness and a dry, acerbic wit. It’s just story after story; laughter followed by more laughter.
Most listeners, too, will be thrilled by what Felton has to say. He’s open about his relationships with his former castmates (most notably, Emma Watson), and he has great anecdotes featuring the legends he’s acted alongside such as Dame Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Gary Oldman.
The biggest takeaway, though: Mr. Felton was an ornery, handful of a child. He got into trouble at home, in school, on the set, and even in rehab, all grown up. Perhaps his parents should write a memoir about what it was like to raise Tom Felton. They would have oodles to write about, I’m sure.
As a Harry Potter fan and muggle, Beyond the Wand took me back to the years I spent immersed in the world of Hogwarts. It was a pleasant trip down memory lane, and because of it, I now see Draco in a new light.
You’re right, Tom. Draco is the boy who didn’t have a choice.
May 7, 2023
TW//
“The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us.”
My first five star read of 2023 and easily one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Tom has a fun personality and sense of humor that shines through in all his stories. Reading this book was like watching one of his panels at a comic con and it made the experience really enjoyable. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tom and seeing him speak, you’ll know how well he translated his personality into his writing. It is truly phenomenal.
Tom knows what Harry Potter fans like and he really tapped in to that with each of his stories from his Potter years. He had wonderful stories to tell about Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, Emma Watson, Alfred Enoch, and many of the other well-loved cast members. I also really appreciated how he spent time telling stories of people on the Potter films who were a little less famous but deserve a lot of appreciation - stunt doubles, chaperones, tutors, and even a Gryffindor extra who Tom happened to date for a while.
It’s worth noting, too, that Tom stayed away from mentioning J.K. Rowling too much and his praise of her was minimal. I think she was mentioned by name only four times in this book and that was a really smart move to mention her so little since J.K. Rowling is engaging in so much hateful rhetoric online.
Tom’s chapters on his mental health struggles hit hard, but it gave great insight into his life and it showed how being in the spotlight from a young age can really impact celebrities. Tom also did a great job of normalizing therapy, mental health treatment, and rehab. These treatment methods are often viewed with a great deal of shame, especially by men, but Tom did a great job at talking about the benefits of those treatments and how those treatments personally improved his life. It was moving for me to be reading Tom’s stories with mental illness as I’m currently in a bit of a depressive episode. Our situations aren’t exactly the same, but knowing that someone I look up to has struggled with mental illness helps me feel less alone in my struggles.
This book is a must-read for any Harry Potter fan (even the casual fans) and I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who’s interested in learning more about Tom Felton’s life.
“The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us.”
My first five star read of 2023 and easily one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read. Tom has a fun personality and sense of humor that shines through in all his stories. Reading this book was like watching one of his panels at a comic con and it made the experience really enjoyable. If you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tom and seeing him speak, you’ll know how well he translated his personality into his writing. It is truly phenomenal.
Tom knows what Harry Potter fans like and he really tapped in to that with each of his stories from his Potter years. He had wonderful stories to tell about Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, Emma Watson, Alfred Enoch, and many of the other well-loved cast members. I also really appreciated how he spent time telling stories of people on the Potter films who were a little less famous but deserve a lot of appreciation - stunt doubles, chaperones, tutors, and even a Gryffindor extra who Tom happened to date for a while.
It’s worth noting, too, that Tom stayed away from mentioning J.K. Rowling too much and his praise of her was minimal. I think she was mentioned by name only four times in this book and that was a really smart move to mention her so little since J.K. Rowling is engaging in so much hateful rhetoric online.
Tom’s chapters on his mental health struggles hit hard, but it gave great insight into his life and it showed how being in the spotlight from a young age can really impact celebrities. Tom also did a great job of normalizing therapy, mental health treatment, and rehab. These treatment methods are often viewed with a great deal of shame, especially by men, but Tom did a great job at talking about the benefits of those treatments and how those treatments personally improved his life. It was moving for me to be reading Tom’s stories with mental illness as I’m currently in a bit of a depressive episode. Our situations aren’t exactly the same, but knowing that someone I look up to has struggled with mental illness helps me feel less alone in my struggles.
This book is a must-read for any Harry Potter fan (even the casual fans) and I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who’s interested in learning more about Tom Felton’s life.
November 29, 2022
“we live in a world where we seem increasingly in need of ways to unify ourselves, ways to build bridges and feel as one. it strikes me that very few things have achieved these aims as successfully as the brilliant world of harry potter.” ⛅️🕯🤍⚡️
i grew up with the harry potter books and films, and beyond the wand is like catching up with a childhood friend. the way tom narrates the audiobook makes you feel like he’s sitting with you in a coffee shop. i love his little laughs every now and then, and he has a natural talent for storytelling that is warm and welcoming. i really enjoyed hearing more about his life, and his experience portraying draco malfoy in the harry potter films. it was such a treat to hear stories about the cast members, and it was heartwarming to hear how highly he spoke of all of them. i also love how open tom is about mental health, and this is by far one of the best books i’ve read this year.
i grew up with the harry potter books and films, and beyond the wand is like catching up with a childhood friend. the way tom narrates the audiobook makes you feel like he’s sitting with you in a coffee shop. i love his little laughs every now and then, and he has a natural talent for storytelling that is warm and welcoming. i really enjoyed hearing more about his life, and his experience portraying draco malfoy in the harry potter films. it was such a treat to hear stories about the cast members, and it was heartwarming to hear how highly he spoke of all of them. i also love how open tom is about mental health, and this is by far one of the best books i’ve read this year.
June 18, 2023
Rating anyone’s life story always feels weird. 🤷🏼♀️ All the stars for being vulnerable enough to share imo ⭐️ True HP fans will appreciate all the ‘behind the scenes’ gems in this one!! 😍
January 31, 2024
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. GR friend, Kat's review sold me!
2. it quickly became available as a free loan on cloudLibrary; and,
3. I enjoyed the Harry Potter movies!
Praises:
1. actor Tom Felton (aka "Draco" in the HP movies) narrates this memoir with perfection! His expressiveness while relating various anecdotes made me smile, laugh out loud, and even shed a tear or two;
2. speaking of anecdotes, here are some that he shared:
- his "Muggle" family (like many celebrities, his parents divorced when he was quite young. Unlike many celebrities, he doesn't throw them under the bus, but gives them credit for his upbringing, encouraging him to trust his instinct);
- his thoughts about early acting roles, acting advice, fame, and fans;
3. the filming of the HP movies. This was my favorite section! He shares:
- his high praise and overall admiration for director Chris Columbus, and the many actors he worked with in these movies. I especially loved his memories about Alan Rickman (Severus Snape). They made me howl! Rickman is such a consummate actor! Also, Felton's thoughts about Emma Watson (Hermione) were quite poignant;
- he doesn't forget about the behind-the-scenes during these shoots, including descriptions of the sets, props, and scripts (which were "gospel" according to J. K. Rowling's standards.) He also fondly remembers working with various crew members, especially David Holmes, who as a stunt double for "Harry" and "Draco", was critically injured during a stunt. (There's an HBO special about him called David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived);
4. how British actors differ from American actors, and how Hollywood affected him, including his eventual abuse with weed and alcohol, an intervention, and a couple of stints in rehab to deal with his addictions and mood disorders (very somber and quite moving); and,
5. his overall writing style was quite entertaining! I enjoyed his clever chapter titles and how he occasionally shared interactions with others as if reading from a script.
Niggles: NONE!
Overall Thoughts:
I was so invested in this audiobook that I hated having to press "PAUSE". His self-deprecating humor and overall humility were so refreshing! His kindness shines through his memories of others, and the few "flaws" he mentions are tastefully done with love and grace.
If you do wish to check out this book, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Not only is Felton a top-notch narrator, the audiobook contains extra chapters not published in the print copy.
I love his quote:
"The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us."
Highly recommended for fans of the HP movies!
1. GR friend, Kat's review sold me!
2. it quickly became available as a free loan on cloudLibrary; and,
3. I enjoyed the Harry Potter movies!
Praises:
1. actor Tom Felton (aka "Draco" in the HP movies) narrates this memoir with perfection! His expressiveness while relating various anecdotes made me smile, laugh out loud, and even shed a tear or two;
2. speaking of anecdotes, here are some that he shared:
- his "Muggle" family (like many celebrities, his parents divorced when he was quite young. Unlike many celebrities, he doesn't throw them under the bus, but gives them credit for his upbringing, encouraging him to trust his instinct);
- his thoughts about early acting roles, acting advice, fame, and fans;
3. the filming of the HP movies. This was my favorite section! He shares:
- his high praise and overall admiration for director Chris Columbus, and the many actors he worked with in these movies. I especially loved his memories about Alan Rickman (Severus Snape). They made me howl! Rickman is such a consummate actor! Also, Felton's thoughts about Emma Watson (Hermione) were quite poignant;
- he doesn't forget about the behind-the-scenes during these shoots, including descriptions of the sets, props, and scripts (which were "gospel" according to J. K. Rowling's standards.) He also fondly remembers working with various crew members, especially David Holmes, who as a stunt double for "Harry" and "Draco", was critically injured during a stunt. (There's an HBO special about him called David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived);
4. how British actors differ from American actors, and how Hollywood affected him, including his eventual abuse with weed and alcohol, an intervention, and a couple of stints in rehab to deal with his addictions and mood disorders (very somber and quite moving); and,
5. his overall writing style was quite entertaining! I enjoyed his clever chapter titles and how he occasionally shared interactions with others as if reading from a script.
Niggles: NONE!
Overall Thoughts:
I was so invested in this audiobook that I hated having to press "PAUSE". His self-deprecating humor and overall humility were so refreshing! His kindness shines through his memories of others, and the few "flaws" he mentions are tastefully done with love and grace.
If you do wish to check out this book, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. Not only is Felton a top-notch narrator, the audiobook contains extra chapters not published in the print copy.
I love his quote:
"The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us."
Highly recommended for fans of the HP movies!
January 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed all of the tales from Tom Felton about his time working on Harry Potter and his experiences growing up as a child actor. It's not often I read memoirs, but after meeting and interviewing Tom, I knew I wanted to know more. One thing I will say is that you can really connect with Tom throughout this book. The chapters that stood out were the ones about his struggles with mental health - the raw and authentic stories lead to an overall important lesson about gratitude. If you like biographies that are entertaining, heartwarming and honest - this may be the next book for you. Highly recommend for any fan of the Wizarding World.
December 13, 2022
This is EXACTLY what it says it is, custom tailored for a very specific audience. Accordingly, it does that well, but in the wider world of celebrity memoirs it is a bit one dimensional. But it KNOWS that, you know? I mean, Tom Felton's only like 35... so a fluff memoir about one thing makes sense.
So, yeah: this one's for Harry Potter fans. Period. It's the hows and whys of child actor Tom, with some fun anecdotes, and then the meat is Harry Potter. Some cute stories, and lots of gushing about his favorite people. For many who were in the fandom or have attended fancons he's done, it's not strictly new, but regardless offers a good time. Nothing salacious here; mostly fluff.
Like many former child actors, Felton struggled with addiction as an adult, and the back third about rehab and recovery is compelling. But being so young, it's the kind of story that would be a mid-point for a standard memoir, rather than the ending it is here. It was like the memoir had finally kicked off, gotten really deep and personal, and then it was over.
It was fine, and I enjoyed it, but I was glad to get this one as a quick library loan rather than something I bought, as it's fairly short. Tom's a good bloke, and this was a good time.
So, yeah: this one's for Harry Potter fans. Period. It's the hows and whys of child actor Tom, with some fun anecdotes, and then the meat is Harry Potter. Some cute stories, and lots of gushing about his favorite people. For many who were in the fandom or have attended fancons he's done, it's not strictly new, but regardless offers a good time. Nothing salacious here; mostly fluff.
Like many former child actors, Felton struggled with addiction as an adult, and the back third about rehab and recovery is compelling. But being so young, it's the kind of story that would be a mid-point for a standard memoir, rather than the ending it is here. It was like the memoir had finally kicked off, gotten really deep and personal, and then it was over.
It was fine, and I enjoyed it, but I was glad to get this one as a quick library loan rather than something I bought, as it's fairly short. Tom's a good bloke, and this was a good time.
December 19, 2022
I don't read too many biographies/memoirs, but if I do it's on a celebrity. Since my daughter and I read the Harry Potter books together a few years ago I thought it'd be nice to read this one together.
Sometimes we think actors are really just like their characters and I will admit I wasn't a fan of Draco ~ he's the character you love to hate. And I'm not really sure if I have seen him in any other films. Luckily he wasn't the big meany pants that we were used to seeing on screen. I loved reading how they were really all a big family.
He tells his story of being in the public eye and his struggles with alcohol and drug use. Of course I wasn't aware of his struggles, since I don't follow him, so I appreciated his candor and willingness to get help.
I love what he said about Neville and how he very much looked the part, until "each year, when we all congregated to make the next film, Matthew was ever so slightly hunkier, which meant that -physically speaking - he was ever so slightly less Neville-like." They had to give him a wedge behind his ears, fake teeth and a little fat suit to stop him looking like the hunk he was becoming. I mean HELLO, have you seen him lately? If not, google Matthew Lewis if you need some 33 year old eye candy. Luckily I'm not too old that I sound creepy saying that.
I grabbed a physical copy from my library too so I could leaf through it. I enjoyed looking at the pictures that showed his life growing up with his family, and on sets, and the lifelong friendships he made along the way.
I love that it was narrated by Tom. I feel it gives his story a little more oomph. It's 6 hours and 36 minutes. I am used to listening at 2-2.5x, but my daughter is not, so we mostly were around 2x. With his accent it is a little difficult to understand him at super speed, so 2x was a sweet spot.
Daughters thoughts ~ it was good. She's a lady of many words 😂
Here's my side note ~ there is quite a bit of swearing. I know this is an adult book, but I feel that maybe some parents would read/listen to this one with their Harry Potter loving children, just like I did. Yes my daughter is older and it's not anything she hasn't heard before, but it might not be suitable for the younger ones.
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Sometimes we think actors are really just like their characters and I will admit I wasn't a fan of Draco ~ he's the character you love to hate. And I'm not really sure if I have seen him in any other films. Luckily he wasn't the big meany pants that we were used to seeing on screen. I loved reading how they were really all a big family.
He tells his story of being in the public eye and his struggles with alcohol and drug use. Of course I wasn't aware of his struggles, since I don't follow him, so I appreciated his candor and willingness to get help.
I love what he said about Neville and how he very much looked the part, until "each year, when we all congregated to make the next film, Matthew was ever so slightly hunkier, which meant that -physically speaking - he was ever so slightly less Neville-like." They had to give him a wedge behind his ears, fake teeth and a little fat suit to stop him looking like the hunk he was becoming. I mean HELLO, have you seen him lately? If not, google Matthew Lewis if you need some 33 year old eye candy. Luckily I'm not too old that I sound creepy saying that.
I grabbed a physical copy from my library too so I could leaf through it. I enjoyed looking at the pictures that showed his life growing up with his family, and on sets, and the lifelong friendships he made along the way.
I love that it was narrated by Tom. I feel it gives his story a little more oomph. It's 6 hours and 36 minutes. I am used to listening at 2-2.5x, but my daughter is not, so we mostly were around 2x. With his accent it is a little difficult to understand him at super speed, so 2x was a sweet spot.
Daughters thoughts ~ it was good. She's a lady of many words 😂
Here's my side note ~ there is quite a bit of swearing. I know this is an adult book, but I feel that maybe some parents would read/listen to this one with their Harry Potter loving children, just like I did. Yes my daughter is older and it's not anything she hasn't heard before, but it might not be suitable for the younger ones.
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July 7, 2023
DNF
Przez powierzchowność, kiczowaty styl pisania i ciągłe puszczanie oczka do fanów HP, czułam się jakbym czytała wywiad w Bravo. Jedna z najbardziej krindżowych książek jakie czytałam.
Przez powierzchowność, kiczowaty styl pisania i ciągłe puszczanie oczka do fanów HP, czułam się jakbym czytała wywiad w Bravo. Jedna z najbardziej krindżowych książek jakie czytałam.
April 19, 2023
3.5/5
*nie oceniam życia, a książkę
To była naprawdę fajna pozycja do przesłuchania w trakcie innych czynności i na pewno spodoba się fanom HP. Dla mnie momentami wzruszająca, a momentami troszkę zbyt powierzchowna.
*nie oceniam życia, a książkę
To była naprawdę fajna pozycja do przesłuchania w trakcie innych czynności i na pewno spodoba się fanom HP. Dla mnie momentami wzruszająca, a momentami troszkę zbyt powierzchowna.
March 14, 2024
Чудова історія, яку дуже влучно було прочитати після Manacled для того, щоб рани від скла вищезгаданої історії затягувалися швидше. Не дивлячись на те, що я знала дуже багато закулісних моментів із ГП, бо свого часу обожнювала дивитися таке на ютубі, тут я вперше дізналася, шо Том був ще тим рибалкою, і після нічної рибалки йшов на зйомки. Ця книжка не шедевр, навряд чи вона буде цікава пересічній людині, яка ніколи не дивилася ГП, але мені вона здалася дуже милою і точно заслуговує на увагу всіх, кому не байдужа реальна історія блондина-антагоніста з відомого всесвіту.
June 27, 2023
i just love how much tom felton loves harry potter... because same. i read this via audiobook the past few days at work and it was SO good! i really enjoyed tom felton's narration, it made it really personal. i also really enjoyed hearing more about his childhood and what it was like to be on the harry potter set! you could really tell how much he appreciated the opportunity to have been in harry potter, and how much the relationships be made with everyone impacted his life positively. it was so cute how he had a chapter talking about emma, rupert and daniel individually, and i don't care what he claims, him and emma watson are in love!!!
one thing i really appreciated was that i actually learned quite a few things. growing up i was the kid who had seen every single extra scene, behind the scenes video, etc, for harry potter, but there were actually things that surprised me in tom's memoir! *minor spoilers* i had no clue he had been to rehab multiple times, or that he had dated jade for so long!!
overall, my only complaint is the god awful cover. otherwise, this is a great read for all wizards, witches, and muggles 😋
before reading: reading this via audio while at work today!! im so excited im really in my harry potter era again since seeing the cursed child ⚡️💗
one thing i really appreciated was that i actually learned quite a few things. growing up i was the kid who had seen every single extra scene, behind the scenes video, etc, for harry potter, but there were actually things that surprised me in tom's memoir! *minor spoilers* i had no clue he had been to rehab multiple times, or that he had dated jade for so long!!
overall, my only complaint is the god awful cover. otherwise, this is a great read for all wizards, witches, and muggles 😋
before reading: reading this via audio while at work today!! im so excited im really in my harry potter era again since seeing the cursed child ⚡️💗
December 28, 2022
This is the only non-fiction I've read this year. It's also the only one I need.
I had so much fun reading all of Tom’s anecdotes and fun stories about the Harry Potter set. I loved the way he wrote about his family, his upbringing, his struggles, and his friends.
I love him so much.
That is all.
I had so much fun reading all of Tom’s anecdotes and fun stories about the Harry Potter set. I loved the way he wrote about his family, his upbringing, his struggles, and his friends.
I love him so much.
That is all.
October 21, 2022
Most of this memoir felt like 1 star until the last couple of chapters, which is when it finally got real, and I appreciate his honesty and vulnerability around his stories and message on mental health.
Overall though, it was just, kind of cute, I guess? And Tom honestly seems like a good guy, but it felt heavily censored and didn't get very specific before moving on to the next thing.
Celebrity memoirs ::shrugs::
Overall though, it was just, kind of cute, I guess? And Tom honestly seems like a good guy, but it felt heavily censored and didn't get very specific before moving on to the next thing.
Celebrity memoirs ::shrugs::
Want to read
May 27, 2022My very first celebrity crush has written a book? Oh, you knooow it's a must buy 😫🫶🏽🫶🏽 Also, I rly hope he does a book tour and comes to LA since I feel like he's in Venice Beach half the time? :D
October 15, 2022
t*m ran over my dog
October 24, 2022
As far as celebrity memoirs go, this pretty much hit on all levels you are looking for. It was funny, succinct and also had its moments of seriousness. There were the Harry Potter insides we were hoping for, along with some unexpected stories that I never really knew about Tom Felton and what he went through. Hearing his stories of growing up in the limelight, albeit not as strong as some of his costars, was very interesting. His accounts of his auditioning process were also very interesting and I enjoyed seeing the progression of how he got to where he is today. Highly recommend this to all Harry Potter fans, and also just people interested in acting in general.
November 10, 2022
This was the cringiest book I’ve ever read. I felt like DNFing it the whole time. It’s short, so it should have taken me half a day to read it, but it kept dragging on for a whole week.
Ok, firstly, wanna say that I grew up reading Draco Malfoy fanfiction, he was my favorite character in HP. And yeah, I realized pretty fast that Tom Felton was nothing like Draco Malfoy, but still, I admired him for portraying Draco so well. I just though that Tom was just a chill boring dude from suburbs in England, obsessed with fishing for some reason. But as it became clear after finishing this book, he’s actually self-obsessed and probably even narcissistic d-bag.
The first 75% of the book is full of boring trivial anecdotes of Tom’s childhood, nothing even remotely interesting, no food for thought for the readers, no character developing realizations for Tom, just dull stories that everyone experienced in their childhood, which is shocking considering that Tom’s childhood was actually fairly interesting. It’s all also written in the weirdest old man’s English, it all sounds self aggrandizing and incredibly cringey with all the speaking pf himself in third person. And the subtext to each and every one of his stories is that he was “not like other boys”. He was more cheeky than other boys; he didn’t know and therefore didn’t stand in awe of all the great actors he worked with, like all other people did; he was obsessed with skateboard and fishing, like a cool boy; he didn’t read HP books before filming, like all other actors did. Even in the last bit of the book, that everyone finds to be the most sincere part, where he talks about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health, he manages to to accentuate at least 3-4 times that his problems were way less severe than the problems of other people in both rehabs he’s been to. Disgusting.
Also, I’m very disappointed that he missed an opportunity to tell us something interesting about all the truly great and experienced actors and directors he worked with. He mentions almost everyone noteworthy in his book, but it’s all just censored and sugar coated empty compliments with zero substance. It almost feels like Tom was too self obsessed to learn anything about these awesome people or to learn something from them.
I wish I never picked up this book. It was boring and cringey, overall a very unpleasant experience. And my opinion on Tom Felton went from “oh, he’s so chill and artistic, very down to earth and kind dude, wish to see him in more movies” to “he’s that narcissistic surface level boring dude, still milking his one childhood role deep in his thirties ew”.
Ok, firstly, wanna say that I grew up reading Draco Malfoy fanfiction, he was my favorite character in HP. And yeah, I realized pretty fast that Tom Felton was nothing like Draco Malfoy, but still, I admired him for portraying Draco so well. I just though that Tom was just a chill boring dude from suburbs in England, obsessed with fishing for some reason. But as it became clear after finishing this book, he’s actually self-obsessed and probably even narcissistic d-bag.
The first 75% of the book is full of boring trivial anecdotes of Tom’s childhood, nothing even remotely interesting, no food for thought for the readers, no character developing realizations for Tom, just dull stories that everyone experienced in their childhood, which is shocking considering that Tom’s childhood was actually fairly interesting. It’s all also written in the weirdest old man’s English, it all sounds self aggrandizing and incredibly cringey with all the speaking pf himself in third person. And the subtext to each and every one of his stories is that he was “not like other boys”. He was more cheeky than other boys; he didn’t know and therefore didn’t stand in awe of all the great actors he worked with, like all other people did; he was obsessed with skateboard and fishing, like a cool boy; he didn’t read HP books before filming, like all other actors did. Even in the last bit of the book, that everyone finds to be the most sincere part, where he talks about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health, he manages to to accentuate at least 3-4 times that his problems were way less severe than the problems of other people in both rehabs he’s been to. Disgusting.
Also, I’m very disappointed that he missed an opportunity to tell us something interesting about all the truly great and experienced actors and directors he worked with. He mentions almost everyone noteworthy in his book, but it’s all just censored and sugar coated empty compliments with zero substance. It almost feels like Tom was too self obsessed to learn anything about these awesome people or to learn something from them.
I wish I never picked up this book. It was boring and cringey, overall a very unpleasant experience. And my opinion on Tom Felton went from “oh, he’s so chill and artistic, very down to earth and kind dude, wish to see him in more movies” to “he’s that narcissistic surface level boring dude, still milking his one childhood role deep in his thirties ew”.
October 21, 2022
I can't believe Tom Felton is writing a book
About what? Harry Potter and his experience😭
I'm so so proud of you omgg
WE all you are proud of you Tom
Thank you so much for bringing Hogwarts to us
Already rating your book 5 stars since I know you'll get this perfect for us ❤
About what? Harry Potter and his experience😭
I'm so so proud of you omgg
WE all you are proud of you Tom
Thank you so much for bringing Hogwarts to us
Already rating your book 5 stars since I know you'll get this perfect for us ❤
October 1, 2023
"Наш вибір, а не наші здібності, показує нам, ким ми є насправді" (с)
Том Фелтон ака Драко Мелфой згадує багато цитат Албуса Дамблдора в своїх мемуарах, але цю цитату я а) люблю чи не найбільше, б) вона ідеально пасує під життя Тома.
Чи не найщиріша біографія, яку я читав.
Драко Мелфой у книгах про Гаррі Поттера - супер противний пер��онаж. Більше, ніж його, я не люблю лише короля Джофрі з "Гри престолів" (цікаво, що актори, які зіграли цих персонажів, фактично повні протилежності своїм героям). Я не надто рефлексував про те, а яка ж людина Том Фелтон, і я не буду відвертим, якщо скажу, що я слідкував за його життям, чекав на переклад, або прям горів тим, щоб прочитати ці спогади Тома. Був налаштований дещо скептично, але при перших надзвичайно позитивних відгуках від людей, смакам яких довіряю, моє бажання прочитати книгу збільшилось суттєво.
Що я очікував отримати - щось таке, що показало б, що Том Фелтон це зовсім не Драко Мелфой, що він хороший хлопець, деякі інсайди зі зйомок "Гаррі Поттера", якісь цікаві історії і типу того.
Що я отримав - історію життя простої людини, зі своїми проблемами, яка була дотична до чогось надзвичайного, рефлексувала над цим, і при цьому показує, що вона щира і чесна як з собою, так і з нами.
Неймовірна книга. Проста, щира, цікава, захоплююча, смішна, болюча, ностальгічна. Фактично, це історія життя мого однолітка. Ти ніби дивишся на все описане у книзі його очима, але водночас розумієш, що ти б певно поводився в таких умовах приблизно так само. Маючи безліч грошей - купував би класні машини, коли просять не сміятись на зйомках серйозної сцени - всцикався б від сміху з товаришем поруч, коли стояв би поряд з Аланом Рікманом посеред ночі вдвох - намагався б порушити незручну тишу. Що це значить? Що кінозірки, яких ми часто сприймаємо як когось з когорти недосяжних, і які здаються однаковими - гарненькими, одягненими в щось дуже дороге, з базовими налаштуваннями по почуттях гумору, з купою грошей, з шаблонною посмішкою та формальними відповідями на різні питання - насправді не дуже відрізняються від нас, простих адекватних людей. Вони також люблять риболовлю, їх також можуть перестріти банди гопніків, вони так само закохуються, так само важко розривають стосунки, так само дружать, так само обіцяють товаришам зустрітись колись потім, але не зустрічаються, так само можуть лежати під ковдрою і не хотіти виходити з квартири, так само гуляють з собаками, так само зіштовхуються з лестощами та неприязню.
Фелтону вдалось дуже чесно та правдиво все це зобразити. Від самого дитинства і до сьогодення. Це історія про дорослішання, про пошуки себе, про випадкові можливості, які можуть змінити життя, про злети, про падіння. Написано дуже легко, розділів багато, тому читаються швидко, і справді важко зупинитись, особливо коли бачиш назву наступного розділу, і знаєш, що там будуть інсайди про те, як Ральф Файнс відігравав Волдеморта, або наскільки Тому важлива дружба з Еммою Вотсон, або що відбувалось в останній день зйомок Гаррі Поттера.
Закрив книгу з відчуттям затишку і тепла. Том класний. Далеко не ідеальний добряк, але і не кінчена мразота. Звичайна людина, яка отримала роль у фільмах, які змінили його життя, але не змінили його внутрішнє "я". Рекомендую як фанатам ГП, так і всім іншим, кому цікаво побачити світ очима кінозірки (спойлер - це приблизно такий самий світ, як і у вас, просто там більше грошей).
Том Фелтон ака Драко Мелфой згадує багато цитат Албуса Дамблдора в своїх мемуарах, але цю цитату я а) люблю чи не найбільше, б) вона ідеально пасує під життя Тома.
Чи не найщиріша біографія, яку я читав.
Драко Мелфой у книгах про Гаррі Поттера - супер противний пер��онаж. Більше, ніж його, я не люблю лише короля Джофрі з "Гри престолів" (цікаво, що актори, які зіграли цих персонажів, фактично повні протилежності своїм героям). Я не надто рефлексував про те, а яка ж людина Том Фелтон, і я не буду відвертим, якщо скажу, що я слідкував за його життям, чекав на переклад, або прям горів тим, щоб прочитати ці спогади Тома. Був налаштований дещо скептично, але при перших надзвичайно позитивних відгуках від людей, смакам яких довіряю, моє бажання прочитати книгу збільшилось суттєво.
Що я очікував отримати - щось таке, що показало б, що Том Фелтон це зовсім не Драко Мелфой, що він хороший хлопець, деякі інсайди зі зйомок "Гаррі Поттера", якісь цікаві історії і типу того.
Що я отримав - історію життя простої людини, зі своїми проблемами, яка була дотична до чогось надзвичайного, рефлексувала над цим, і при цьому показує, що вона щира і чесна як з собою, так і з нами.
Неймовірна книга. Проста, щира, цікава, захоплююча, смішна, болюча, ностальгічна. Фактично, це історія життя мого однолітка. Ти ніби дивишся на все описане у книзі його очима, але водночас розумієш, що ти б певно поводився в таких умовах приблизно так само. Маючи безліч грошей - купував би класні машини, коли просять не сміятись на зйомках серйозної сцени - всцикався б від сміху з товаришем поруч, коли стояв би поряд з Аланом Рікманом посеред ночі вдвох - намагався б порушити незручну тишу. Що це значить? Що кінозірки, яких ми часто сприймаємо як когось з когорти недосяжних, і які здаються однаковими - гарненькими, одягненими в щось дуже дороге, з базовими налаштуваннями по почуттях гумору, з купою грошей, з шаблонною посмішкою та формальними відповідями на різні питання - насправді не дуже відрізняються від нас, простих адекватних людей. Вони також люблять риболовлю, їх також можуть перестріти банди гопніків, вони так само закохуються, так само важко розривають стосунки, так само дружать, так само обіцяють товаришам зустрітись колись потім, але не зустрічаються, так само можуть лежати під ковдрою і не хотіти виходити з квартири, так само гуляють з собаками, так само зіштовхуються з лестощами та неприязню.
Фелтону вдалось дуже чесно та правдиво все це зобразити. Від самого дитинства і до сьогодення. Це історія про дорослішання, про пошуки себе, про випадкові можливості, які можуть змінити життя, про злети, про падіння. Написано дуже легко, розділів багато, тому читаються швидко, і справді важко зупинитись, особливо коли бачиш назву наступного розділу, і знаєш, що там будуть інсайди про те, як Ральф Файнс відігравав Волдеморта, або наскільки Тому важлива дружба з Еммою Вотсон, або що відбувалось в останній день зйомок Гаррі Поттера.
Закрив книгу з відчуттям затишку і тепла. Том класний. Далеко не ідеальний добряк, але і не кінчена мразота. Звичайна людина, яка отримала роль у фільмах, які змінили його життя, але не змінили його внутрішнє "я". Рекомендую як фанатам ГП, так і всім іншим, кому цікаво побачити світ очима кінозірки (спойлер - це приблизно такий самий світ, як і у вас, просто там більше грошей).
October 15, 2022
what a delight.
admittedly, I am a fan of autobiographies, but it was the first one I couldn't put down and ended up reading into the small hours of the day. it has a heart.
it's not one of those cases where I want to quote paragraphs upon paragraphs, or write paragraphs upon paragraphs, there's beauty in the story, the whole of it, the pieces coming together. which is to say, it makes you feel, and that's an unquestionable literary achievement.
it's funny how ultimate lessons are always similar, we grow up knowing them, and yet we look and search and try to conquer the world, until we go full circle to love and friendship and family. I guess we have to go full circle, to understand that the circle is there, and to appreciate the end point within the perspective of the journey.
and what a journey.
admittedly, I am a fan of autobiographies, but it was the first one I couldn't put down and ended up reading into the small hours of the day. it has a heart.
it's not one of those cases where I want to quote paragraphs upon paragraphs, or write paragraphs upon paragraphs, there's beauty in the story, the whole of it, the pieces coming together. which is to say, it makes you feel, and that's an unquestionable literary achievement.
it's funny how ultimate lessons are always similar, we grow up knowing them, and yet we look and search and try to conquer the world, until we go full circle to love and friendship and family. I guess we have to go full circle, to understand that the circle is there, and to appreciate the end point within the perspective of the journey.
and what a journey.
September 27, 2023
Під час читання ця книга відчувалася мені, наче затишне дружнє чаювання з Томом Фелтоном. І за це щиро хочеться подякувати йому, як й за його книгу! Вона підкорила мене не тільки шаленою хвилею ностальгії за улюбленим "Гаррі Поттером". А й щирістю автора та його важливою історією проблем із ментальним здоровʼям. Це частина книги для мене справді стала найціннішою, як й усі його особи��ті роздуми на цю тем��, якими він поділився. Сподіваюся, як заповідав Дамблдор щастя завжди можна знайти в найтемніші часи, якщо тільки знайдеться людина, яка нагадає, що потрібно увімкнути світло. Усім lumos 🪄✨.
January 9, 2023
همیشه با خودم فکر میکنم، بهترین زمان برای نوشتن یه زندگی نامه کِیه؟
جوابی که به نظرم میاد نزدیک ۷۰ سالگی و به طور کلی نزدیک مرگه. وقتی که میدونی دیگه اتفاق هیجان انگیز و قابل تعریفی تو زندگیت قرارنیست بیفته. یا حتی از اون بهتر! بعد از مرگ و تمومشدن داستان زندگیت و وقتی بقیه برات مینویسن.
برای همینه که وقتی میبینم کسی تو ۳۰ سالگی یا ۳۵ سالگی زندگینامه چاپ میکنه خیلی ناراحت میشم. انگار که با خودت فکر کنی ماجرای من همینجا تموم میشه و از اینجا به بعدش دیگه چیزی ندارم که بگم.
نه فقط تام فلتون، بلکه هرکسی که حتی عضو کوچیکی از مجموعهی بزرگ هری پاتر بوده و به مدت ۱۰ ۱۱ سال از زندگیشو تو هاگوارتز گذرونده، طبیعیه که بعد از تموم شدن اون دوره دیگه انتظار چیز بزرگی تو زندگیش نداشته باشه و تو همین مرحله به نشر داستان خودش بپردازه.
این کتاب زندگی نامهی تامه. از بچگیش شروع میشه، خانوادهی شلوغش، وارد هری پاتر و دریکو ملفوی شدنش، حجم عظیمی از اتفاقات پشت صحنه و روابطی که اونجا با بقیه داشته و معرفی کاراکترا و...، و نهایتا به اعتیادش به الکل، ریهب ناموفقش، ریهب نسبتا موفقش و تکریم و پذیرش تراپی و فهمیدن ارزش زندگیش ختم میشه.
برای کسایی که مثل من نه فقط بچگیشون، بلکه همهی زندگیشون با کتابا و فیلمای هری پاتر گره خورده، قشنگ و شیرینه<نهایتا باعث شد شروع کنم و یبار دیگه کل مجموعه رو از اول ببینم :) > اتفاق تکان دهندهای توش نمیفته و همه همونطور قشنگن. فقط یه زندگی نامست، ولی از زبون کسی که حضور توی دنیای جادو رو تجربه کرده:)
اما خب...بعد از اون تجربه...
الان، توی ۳۵ سالگیش زندگینامشو منتشر میکنه.
*the only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us*
جوابی که به نظرم میاد نزدیک ۷۰ سالگی و به طور کلی نزدیک مرگه. وقتی که میدونی دیگه اتفاق هیجان انگیز و قابل تعریفی تو زندگیت قرارنیست بیفته. یا حتی از اون بهتر! بعد از مرگ و تمومشدن داستان زندگیت و وقتی بقیه برات مینویسن.
برای همینه که وقتی میبینم کسی تو ۳۰ سالگی یا ۳۵ سالگی زندگینامه چاپ میکنه خیلی ناراحت میشم. انگار که با خودت فکر کنی ماجرای من همینجا تموم میشه و از اینجا به بعدش دیگه چیزی ندارم که بگم.
نه فقط تام فلتون، بلکه هرکسی که حتی عضو کوچیکی از مجموعهی بزرگ هری پاتر بوده و به مدت ۱۰ ۱۱ سال از زندگیشو تو هاگوارتز گذرونده، طبیعیه که بعد از تموم شدن اون دوره دیگه انتظار چیز بزرگی تو زندگیش نداشته باشه و تو همین مرحله به نشر داستان خودش بپردازه.
این کتاب زندگی نامهی تامه. از بچگیش شروع میشه، خانوادهی شلوغش، وارد هری پاتر و دریکو ملفوی شدنش، حجم عظیمی از اتفاقات پشت صحنه و روابطی که اونجا با بقیه داشته و معرفی کاراکترا و...، و نهایتا به اعتیادش به الکل، ریهب ناموفقش، ریهب نسبتا موفقش و تکریم و پذیرش تراپی و فهمیدن ارزش زندگیش ختم میشه.
برای کسایی که مثل من نه فقط بچگیشون، بلکه همهی زندگیشون با کتابا و فیلمای هری پاتر گره خورده، قشنگ و شیرینه<نهایتا باعث شد شروع کنم و یبار دیگه کل مجموعه رو از اول ببینم :) > اتفاق تکان دهندهای توش نمیفته و همه همونطور قشنگن. فقط یه زندگی نامست، ولی از زبون کسی که حضور توی دنیای جادو رو تجربه کرده:)
اما خب...بعد از اون تجربه...
الان، توی ۳۵ سالگیش زندگینامشو منتشر میکنه.
*the only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us*
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