


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 that housed the Astronomy Tower, 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 childhood 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 with 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. Review: My favorite autobiography! - I bought this physical copy after listening to the audiobook. As a Harry Potter lover, this was an absolute must-read and I couldn’t “put it down” (or stop listening!) You HAVE to get both the book and the audio—there’s just something magical about listening to Tom narrate his own life. Tom’s story is heartfelt and really well written. He seems incredibly down to earth and so grateful for his experiences on the HP set. I especially appreciated how much respect he had for the iconic actors he worked with; of course, hearing his memories of the dear actors who have passed on was incredibly emotional. I laughed a lot during the book as well. I was very moved by how much humility he shows when talking about his past mistakes and how he’s grown from them. Again, he seems so genuine and caring and that came through very clearly in his book. All actors are “just people” at the end of the day, but Tom really is just like the rest of us. Autobiographies are one of my favorite genres, and this one is easily my favorite—and not just because I’m a Harry Potter fan, but because this book was so gripping and surprisingly relatable. Review: Am easy read and delightful insight - Tom did justice with this book. I think he brought to light the stories of child actors who group up in limelight without getting the spotlight. He highlights navigating his life on-set and off. The struggles we see time and time again in youth, young adults and older adults of those who grow up on a film set. Moving across the world, or to a larger city than where you grew up, and seeing how their life is a BIG difference than the life you use to know—showing how altering that move can be is something most people don’t understand unless it happens to them. It was honest, raw, FUNNY, and beautiful. I highly recommend this book. If you’re a fan of his or not, his messages in this book can speak to everyone.
| ASIN | 1529149436 |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (8,775) |
| Date First Available | October 26, 2022 |
| Item Weight | 8.5 ounces |
| Language | English |
| Manufacturer | Ebury Spotlight |
| Product Dimensions | 4.96 x 0.91 x 7.76 inches; 8.47 ounces |
| Release date | July 6, 2023 |
| Type of item | Paperback |
E**T
My favorite autobiography!
I bought this physical copy after listening to the audiobook. As a Harry Potter lover, this was an absolute must-read and I couldn’t “put it down” (or stop listening!) You HAVE to get both the book and the audio—there’s just something magical about listening to Tom narrate his own life. Tom’s story is heartfelt and really well written. He seems incredibly down to earth and so grateful for his experiences on the HP set. I especially appreciated how much respect he had for the iconic actors he worked with; of course, hearing his memories of the dear actors who have passed on was incredibly emotional. I laughed a lot during the book as well. I was very moved by how much humility he shows when talking about his past mistakes and how he’s grown from them. Again, he seems so genuine and caring and that came through very clearly in his book. All actors are “just people” at the end of the day, but Tom really is just like the rest of us. Autobiographies are one of my favorite genres, and this one is easily my favorite—and not just because I’m a Harry Potter fan, but because this book was so gripping and surprisingly relatable.
N**N
Am easy read and delightful insight
Tom did justice with this book. I think he brought to light the stories of child actors who group up in limelight without getting the spotlight. He highlights navigating his life on-set and off. The struggles we see time and time again in youth, young adults and older adults of those who grow up on a film set. Moving across the world, or to a larger city than where you grew up, and seeing how their life is a BIG difference than the life you use to know—showing how altering that move can be is something most people don’t understand unless it happens to them. It was honest, raw, FUNNY, and beautiful. I highly recommend this book. If you’re a fan of his or not, his messages in this book can speak to everyone.
M**R
The Magic of the Wizarding World
As a long-time fan who couldn’t wait to dig into this, I was not disappointed. Felton offers a brilliant "behind-the-curtain" look at the Harry Potter films, but it never feels like a dry list of facts. He shares wonderful anecdotes about the legendary actors he worked with—from the mischief he got into with the "weasels" to the profound influence of Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith. The Man Behind the Platinum Blonde Hair What makes this book stand out is that it isn’t just about being Draco Malfoy. Tom is incredibly vulnerable about the "mayhem" mentioned in the title. He talks candidly about: • The struggle of transitioning from a child star to an adult actor. • His personal battles with mental health and rehab. • The grounding influence of his family and his unique bond with Emma Watson. Final Verdict Tom Felton writes exactly how he speaks: with immense charm, humility, and a self-deprecating wit. You’ll laugh at his early acting blunders and likely get a bit teary-eyed by the final chapters. It’s a love letter to the fans, his castmates, and the journey of growing up. Bottom Line: If you grew up with the movies, this is an absolute must-read. It’s a reminder that even the "bad boy" of Slytherin has a heart of gold. A Fun Detail to Note If you haven't started yet, keep an eye out for his stories about Grandpa Joe—Tom’s real-life grandfather who actually appeared as an extra in the first film!
R**S
Slytherin for life!
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. . . . . #bookstagram #books #booklover #book #bookworm #bookstagrammer #reading #bookish #bookaddict #booknerd #bibliophile #instabook #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #b #read #bookaholic #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #bookshelf #booklove #love #bookreview #bookcommunity #bookblogger #instabooks #booklovers #reader #igreads #bookrecommendations
K**1
I was interested in reading Tom's book as I was an avid fan of the HP books and loved the films too. I was initially keen to hear about Tom's experiences on the film sets and the annecdotes from his time as Draco. Once I started to read the book, I was immediately hooked, so much so that I had read the whole book in just a few days. I was fully immersed in each chapter. I thought Tom wrote well and you could really 'hear' his personality through his words. I was also impressed with his ability to relay his personal experiences in LA in such an honest and thought-provoking way. I am very glad that I decided to give this book a chance and I would definitely recommend it to others.
A**A
One of the most entretaining autobiographies I read
J**N
there are no defects or anything, atleast i ran through a check and i think it doesn’t. i’m so excited to read it! it arrived quicker then expected, i am so glad. would 100% recommend 👍🏻
A**O
Muy buena calidad, bien protegido. Lo único que no me gustó es que la portada del libro es totalmente negra si le quito la hoja de arriba.
N**A
Arrived in good condition and one day early.
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