Reviews

Beyond the Wand: The Magic & Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard, by Tom Felton

arem419's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

caitlinanncran's review against another edition

5.0

Picture the Burrow on Christmas Eve. Everyone you love piled in the living room, there’s a roaring fire, you have a huge mug of hot chocolate in your hands even though you’re so full from Mrs. Weasley’s latest enormous dinner, and Celestina Warbeck is belting out “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love” on the radio. It’s snowing outside but inside everything is warm and safe. THIS IS EXACTLY HOW COMFORTED THIS BOOK MADE ME FEEL.

Tom Felton is an all-around good, good guy. I loved listening to him read this - his narration and stories were literally so suffused with warmth and charm and good humour and humility I could not get enough. He just single-handedly recaptured the magic of Harry Potter for me, separating it completely from the sad toxicity of its original creator, fully reclaiming and giving back to fans the magic. No, there’s no call-out chapter, meaning this reclamation is very well just all in my mind, but I hope for all the other fans out there who’ve had their hearts broken by Rowling, that they can and have been comforted by this memoir in the same way.

Truly, truly, this book is a balm. All of Felton’s stories of growing up on set of the movies, including insider stories of the beloved cast and beyond, reminded me of the extent of joy these books have brought so many people over the last couple decades through so many mediums. Even the chapters beyond the films, which explore mental health in such a vulnerable, heartfelt, and also somehow extremely comforting way, were lovely, even when they made my heart ache. Thank you, Tom! Genuinely. Listening to this felt like being wrapped up in a favourite childhood blanket and I never wanted it to end.

Am I now a little in love with him? No comment

squidlytentacles's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

sara_yearofreadingdangerously's review

funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

courtney__'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

5.0

amandabshero's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

kerri_m's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.75

I am part of the generation who grew up reading and watching the Harry Potter stories. As I've ages alongside the actors, their development as individuals unique from the characters they played (and the imagined personas the Public pressed on them) began to intrigue and impress me. Felton's book is a good look at one of those lives. Intriguing, well paced, and meaningful, this was well worth the read - or listen. It's not groundbreaking and it's slightly repetitive, but I'm oddly proud of this older-than-me public figure finding his way after losing it and telling his story.

book_nut's review against another edition

4.0

Quite charming

angelikarenee's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

It’s was so wonderful to get to see the world through Tom’s eye and experiences. 

natalie10224's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0