AUDIO BOOK REVIEW: Beyond the Ward by Tom Felton

Publication Date: October 18, 2022 Format: Audio Genre:  Memoir Narrators: Tom Felton

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing Length:  6 hours 36 min Buy: Kindle | Audio

Synopsis

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 Pottermovies. 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.

Review: 

An interesting memoir by the actor who played Draco Malfoy.  Gives little tidbits of behind the scenes from the Harry Potter movies. His acting career before Potter fame, being mistaken for Macauley Culkin, and trying to stay grounded.  

The youngest of 4 boys Tom credits his brothers for keeping him grounded and not losing himself to the fame. He was constantly playing pranks and getting himself into trouble but not too much trouble. He reflects on working with some of the greatest actors that he now knows shaped him as an actor but back then he didn't understand just how famous they were. 

He touches ever so briefly on his mental health and his struggles with alcohol. He doesn't shy away from it in fact he wants to normalize seeking treatment for both drug and mental health issues which is a refreshing take. 

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