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The Boy Who Lived

The honest and moving memoir from Harry Potter's stunt double, 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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Honest and moving, this inspirational memoir from Harry Potter stuntman David Holmes reveals what it's like to rebuild your life in the wake of tragedy - with plenty of behind-the-scenes Potter anecdotes along the way.

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 Disability Awareness Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV People with Disabilities Magic Users Wizardry Magic Inspiring Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Witty
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Critic reviews

His brilliantly-titled memoir tells a story of resilience, pain and joy
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great story, interesting and honest from a very different perspective from the author who went off the rails

A journey of the overcoming

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A beautifully written and narrated book about life pre and post a life changing event. It gives readers a glimpse into his life and the challenges he faces. Doing so with a zest for life and an optimism we should all aspire to achieve. Wish I could rate it even higher

Raw, honest and real

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David's frank and honest story-telling and fascinating insight into the worlds of stunt doubles..and paraplegics. More respect!

David's resilience, humour and never-give-up attitude. Respect!

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What an amazing insight to the stunt profession, Hollywood movies and the incredible people behind the scenes. David is an inspiration, an absolute legend, a brilliant storyteller and now a new hero stuntman of mine.

Once a stuntman, always a stuntman!

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I really enjoyed listening to David. Being a huge Harry Potter fan it’s great to hear what goes on behind the scenes. I never knew what really went into the dangerous work of movie stunt performers. Thank you for sharing your life stories David, you’re a top guy!

A great read

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