The Boy Who Lived

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

By: David Holmes

Narrated by: David Holmes, Toby Laurence

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

Critic reviews

His brilliantly-titled memoir tells a story of resilience, pain and joy

How he has the attitude to go over all that he has to go through.

Loved this very much. He seems to be inspiring on how he pushes forward.

Wow! Perspective shift

as a huge fan of Harry Potter, when I heard of David’s story I couldn’t believe it.
His story is inspiring, perspective shifting with heartbreaking stories and moments of triumph. You’re incredible David Holmes.

Amazing!

David Holmes brought so much magic into our lives as Harry Potter fans, the world should know him! Reading his story, and listening it in his own words was such a journey, it’s a must read!

Loved David’s Story!

I love the honest, raw, vulnerable story that David has shared. This also made me realize that we need more recognition for stunt people in Hollywood, they do some amazing and super dangerous things and do not get enough credit. Highly recommend this book!

triggering 2nd half

during the 2nd half of this book, I found it triggering and couldn't wait for it to finish. I kept hoping I would feel differently by the end, but no. Having grown up with a brother disabled from birth with no arms, severe scoliosis and prognosis of death by suffocation in his 20s, and most definitely not the financial resources David had and has. I could not handle without a lot of anger all the talk of the design house and all the trips, etc. I've watched my parents give everything for my brother throughout their lives. I honestly thought I might find this book inspiring, but with all the long discussions of the financial support David had and has, that my brother will never have, I couldn't wait to hear the book end. Maybe this book should come with trigger warnings for people dealing with disabled situations that don't have awesome financial resources.