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

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 7,673 ratings

Price: 17.05

Last update: 12-18-2024


About this item

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.

Now with a new chapter Felton delves into his experience of fame, Beyond the Wand is an entertaining, funny, and poignant must-listen for any Harry Potter fan. Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviews on Wheels
    5.0 out of 5 stars Slytherin for life!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
    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.
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  • Kari L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great insights
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2023
    “What kid doesn't love a Jacuzzi? What kid doesn't hilariously pretend it's an enormous farting cauldron? Or was that just me?”
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    This book is Tom’s story from the excitement of being a child actor to the challenges of being an adult in Hollywood. It covers from his first commercial to the Borrows to Harry Potter and beyond.
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    This was an enjoyable and eye opening read into what it was like on the set of Harry Potter. Listening to Tom Felton narrate his own story was really special giving the feeling that he was telling his story directly to you in a conversation. I appreciated the raw honesty in providing his story not just the high moments but also the lows and everyday ordinary events. The element I loved most, though, was his reflection on his interactions with other celebrities particularly Emma Watson (practicing the slap didn’t go the way he expected), Alan Rickman (don’t step on my f**king cloak), Robbie Coltrane (changing the language on his phone), as well we countless others. I also appreciated his willingness to discuss mental health and the struggles he and his family faced in that regard to help eliminate the stigma surrounding it.
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    “It’s easy to bask in the sun, not so easy to enjoy the rain. But one can't exist without the other. The weather always changes. Feelings of sadness and happiness deserve equal mental screen time.”
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    The only complaint I have in regards to this book is that some of the comparisons got a bit repetitive; however, that’s a tiny fault in the grand scheme of the book.
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    “The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around
  • Paul Wetor
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Readable And Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
    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.
  • Amber
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
    I don’t normally read biographies but I am a huge Potterhead. I loved his book it had great behind the scenes info and it was also interesting to read about a kid growing up in fame. Very well written too.
  • Carol Gordon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting account of a child star
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Upbeat read.

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