Beyond The Wand by Tom Felton

5 Stars Jan 03, 2023

My review

5/5 stars

Tom Felton was a part of something that defined my childhood, so it was only right for the bookworm in me to explore his memoir on the experience. It did not disappoint.

I've always got the feeling, from watching him in interviews, that Tom Felton was absolutely nothing like his alter-ego, Draco Malfoy, and this book confirmed that my suspicions were correct. He is a thoughtful, self-possessed and gentle in the way he writes. The reason for this becomes apparent towards the end of the book, when he discusses his addiction and mental health struggles. He has obviously been forced to confront some of his own demons and has come out the other side with a sensitivity and warmth that wouldn't be there otherwise.

What impresses me most about this book is how he writes about the more challenging aspects of growing up in the public eye, and the impact that it's all had on him. There are some stories in this book that could make him look a little laddish and, if I'm honest, like an a**hole, but he writes about them in such a way that you understand that he's learnt from those mistakes and it's not who he is at his core. There's a matter-of-factness about his style that only comes from acceptance of what's gone awry and how you've learnt from it.

The reason I came to this book was for the Harry Potter anecdotes, and, while there were other stories included because Tom's life is clearly about more than Harry Potter, he absolutely delivered what readers are going to want when it comes to behind-the-scenes insights into the set. What I appreciated most about how he included them was that he didn't focus on the technicalities of how the set worked (though some of that was included), he drew attention to the relationships he formed and how they have impacted his life since then. It gave me all the feels and reaffirmed that the experience of working on Harry Potter must have been life-changing and amazing. I found myself laughing out loud at certain stories and sharing them with my husband.

Book blurb

They called for a break, and Gambon magicked up a cigarette from out of his beard. He and I were often to be found outside the stage door, having 'a breath of fresh air', as we referred to it. There would be painters and plasterers and chippies and sparks, and among them all would be me and Dumbledore having a crafty cigarette.

From Borrower to wizard, Tom Felton's adolescence was anything but ordinary. His early rise to fame saw him catapulted into the limelight aged just twelve when he landed the iconic role of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films.

Speaking with candour and his own trademark humour, Tom shares his experience of growing up on screen and as part of the wizarding world for the very first time. He tells all about his big break, what filming was really like and the lasting friendships he made during ten years as part of the franchise, as well as the highs and lows of fame and the reality of navigating adult life after filming finished.

Prepare to meet a real-life wizard.