Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Beyond the Wand: The Magic and Mayhem of Growing Up a Wizard

I grew up with Harry Potter as did many of my friends and it has always held a special place in my heart. Although I never identified as Slytherin, I've always had a soft spot for the way that Tom Felton has so clearly continued to be the ultimate Harry Potter millenial stan. This memoir was a really unexpected and fun look into his time as part of the Harry Potter franchise. While the first 80% of the book was full of anecdotes and fun memories with most of the prominent HP cast members, the last 20% of the book really dug deeper. I had no idea about Felton's alcohol abuse or difficulties with mental illness and hearing him talk candidly about them really added another layer into the actor I've always seen.

One of my favorite lines was toward the end when Tom is reflecting on everything he's experienced and learned until now and he says, "The only true currency we have in life is the effect we have on those around us."

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katie0528's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

A brutally honest and funny memoir from Tom Felton, best known as Draco Malfoy, as his life before and experiences filming the Harry Potter movies, and his struggles in adulthood after as he tried to find himself apart from his fame.

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savshanae's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Amazing. So good. Will recommend to everyone. Even better when listened to. I didn’t think it was possible, but I finished this book being even more in love with Tom.

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amandaacat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.5

If you’re a fan of Tom Felton and Harry Potter, this is a great book to listen to the audio for. Tom does a great job narrating his own stories and does give you a glimpse of life of set - which was fun. I can’t say anything he wrote about was groundbreaking and I liked his recap of his substance abuse struggles towards the end, but overall it seems that growing up on set wasn’t too bad for him. Would only recommend if you’re a fan!

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