The Boy Who Lived cover art

The Boy Who Lived

When Magic and Reality Collide: my story, with a foreword by Daniel Radcliffe

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The Boy Who Lived

By: David Holmes
Narrated by: David Holmes, Toby Laurence
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About this listen

 THE INSPIRATIONAL MEMOIR FROM HARRY POTTER STUNTMAN DAVID HOLMES: PERFECT FOR HARRY POTTER FANS.

NARRATED BY THE AUTHOR, WITH A FOREWORD BY DANIEL RADCLIFFE NARRATED BY TOBY LAURENCE.

As stunt double to Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter film franchise, stuntman David Holmes helped to move J.K. Rowling's era-defining story from the page to the big screen. His work as a real-life Fall Guy enabled him to create some of the most memorable action sequences in the Wizarding World, as he became the first person ever to play Quidditch. In living his own hero's journey, David was also one of only a handful of people to have worn the iconic wizard's cape, glasses and scar in front of the cameras.

That is, until an accident changed his life forever.

During the making of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, David broke his neck in a stunt rehearsal and was instantly paralysed. From talented junior gymnast and stunt prodigy to fully qualified Hollywood stuntman, his story is a brutally honest portrait of a man who lost everything but found different ways to reimagine new possibilities with love, friendship and optimism - and he later co-created a BAFTA-nominated documentary about his life. David's behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest film series of all time is both jaw-dropping and hilarious.

Powerful and emotional, his is a story of hope and vulnerability and paints a picture of what it truly takes to rebuild a life and become The Boy Who Lived. ©2024 Ripple Productions (Essex) Limited Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV People with Disabilities Magic Users Wizardry Magic Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

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Critic reviews

His brilliantly-titled memoir tells a story of resilience, pain and joy
All stars
Most relevant
I purchased this after listening to tom feltons memoir which mentions this book and I was not disappointed. Great listen

great listen

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Insightful and moving. The narratiom was great, the story was captivating. The book made me see things differently.

Insightful and moving

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I loved this book.it was happy, sad, and very honest,how a person who over came his younger years, to do a job he loved,and his life afterwards,
highly recommended .

the honesty of the author

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Loved all of it and I cried lots and laughed lots too even better hearing it in the authors own voice

The sincerity

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This is an incredibly emotional yet uplifting read. David Holmes shares his journey with honesty, resilience, and a remarkable sense of positivity. He doesn’t shy away from life’s challenges, but he refuses to be defined by them—a message that truly resonated with me.
As a disabled person myself (though my experience is different, as I am registered blind), I found David’s outlook deeply inspiring. His story is a powerful reminder to embrace life, no matter what it throws at us.
This book also holds a personal connection for me—my guide dog, Archie, was born on the 10th anniversary of David’s accident. What once felt bittersweet now feels meaningful: the day David’s life changed was also the day a life-changer was born. Archie’s birthday will always remind me of David’s strength and unwavering positivity.
And thanks to David, I’ll never forget to wiggle my toes. Thank you, David.

Incredibly emotional and uplifting

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