Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Losing something so great over something so small is enough to make anyone go mad.”

As a huge HP fan, I jumped at the chance to read this, and I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest! If you’ve ever been curious about stories of the ‘almost’ actors, you will love this. And you’ll love it even more if you’re a Potterhead. Such an in-depth fact/fiction cross-over with a very raw, heartwrenching story. Super happy to be sharing my review on the book tour for Second Best!

About the book

A magical imagining of the fate of a fictional boy whose life is shaped forever when he loses out on the role of Harry Potter. It’s 1999. Martin Hill is ten years old, crazy about Arsenal and has a minor crush on a girl named Betty. Then he makes it to the final two in the casting for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  In the end, the other boy is picked for the role of a lifetime.

A devastated Martin tries to move on with his life. But how can he escape his failure, especially when it’s the most famous film series in the world?  Foenkinos’s smash-hit Second Best is a playful, poignant story about fate, loss and how the lives we wish we’d led might not be all they’re cracked up to be…

The beginning

The whole concept of this book drew me in straight away, especially as I’m a huuuge HP fan. The author really does start at the beginning when telling this story, even before the conception of Martin (our main character, if you like.) I loved all the intricacies, the smaller details, the passion that radiates through David’s words. I honestly became so lost in it, and it was truly magical (mind the pun). In fact, I read this as intently as I read the first HP book – that’s the only (very apt) comparison I can make. I loved the introductory chapters; learning more about how the idea for Harry Potter began, the journey to its movie adaptation and beyond. I flew through it all with the biggest smile. The author also has a really unique way of making these real life people their own characters, helping us to share thoughts and feelings they may have had. It really helped me become so absorbed in what was going on. I just absolutely adored it.

“Fate is always thought to be a positive force, propelling us towards a magical future.”

The playfulness and the fun the author has blurring fact and fiction was something I’ve never experienced before in all the countless books I’ve read over the years. It worked so incredibly well, especially as I was familiar with a lot of these people are already. Despite already knowing the outcome of who would be cast as Harry Potter, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the talent Martin had, to join in with the hype of just how much Martin’s life could change overnight. He was the perfect Harry. Everyone knew it. What could possibly go wrong? However, there was one little thing that cost him the role, and as the book says, “It is always something insignificant that makes the difference.” The power of the scenes surrounding Martin’s unsuccessful final audition was so intense. I felt so gutted for him, so frustratingly let down. And I just knew that this experience would haunt him as he watched these child stars become some of the most famous people in the world. It could have been him.

The middle

I wasn’t quite prepared for the emotional turmoil, the heartbreak and struggles Martin faces as he loses his father. To him, it seemed as though his life was spiraling out of control. The author’s portrayal of Martin’s feelings was excellent, and I could so easily share these feelings with him. I became completely absorbed in his life. Not only did he miss out on his dream role, but now his father, the man who taught him and encouraged him and believed in him, was no longer there. It’s powerful and thought provoking, and so incredibly sad. But at the same time, so expertly and brilliantly written. Martin’s mother goes to great lengths in an attempt to bring happiness back into his life, and it really tugged at my heart. But his suffering was deeper than anyone seemed to understand. It became such a deep exploration of a boy’s mental health struggles over the course of years and years, and is something that I won’t forget in a hurry.

“Is it always this way? Every person’s life is, at one moment or another, ruined by another person’s life.”

I didn’t expect any kind of twist in this book, but when we do actually get one, I was stunned. The horrors Martin has to experience at such a young age, especially from people he thought could be trusted, were just shocking and unacceptable. It was difficult not to tear up in parts, and it seemed as though Martin couldn’t catch a break. The way the author keeps you gripped in every moment of Martin’s life was exceptional, and it very quickly became a completely mesmerising journey. Martin begins so see so much of Harry Potter (and Harry’s life) within himself. Everything from losing a parent and feeling like he doesn’t belong felt eerily similar, and even his extended family became very Dursley-like. The fact that he feels unable to confess to his mother about this abuse was heartbreaking. I so hoped Martin would pluck up to courage and get the support he needed to overcome all of this and get his life back on track.

The end

I really loved how much of Martin’s life the author shares with us. Not only do we see his struggles with being “second best”, but we also see how this affects his job, his social life, his romantic relationships. But as he matures and grows, we also see that turning point within him, that moment where he feels brave enough to take those first steps to fixing how he feels. It’s a difficult road for him, but the immense feelings of pride I felt for him made me know how strong he was and just how much he can achieve anything if he took the right steps/precautions. He feels himself being able to share his experience with someone else with a very similar story, and this scene was very bittersweet. I was surprised by his attempts to overcome his fear, his problems, his suffering. But it was in the final part of the book that we realise what he really needs to overcome all this.

“The most important encounters happen despite our intentions. With that in mind, we should always do the opposite of what we intend.”

With his supportive partner by his side, Martin goes through a relapse, but also the start of a miraculous journey of acceptance. There was something really satisfying seeing the exact point Martin feels like he can overcome his struggles, and knowing what he needs to do and who with was such a beautiful part of the book. It really did have the ending of hope and positivity that I’d craved since the start! After spending so much time with Martin throughout so many important stages of his life, I’d grown so attached to him. I didn’t expect to feel as proud and as protective of him as I did by the time I finished, but I feel so incredibly happy to have taken the journey with him. This book is an absolute must read for HP fans, and even those who are curious to read more about the life of someone who almost became a global star. Incredibly moving, heart-breaking and intriguing all in one. A must read!

Overall thoughts

Second Best effortlessly blends fact and fiction to create Martin Hill’s memorable journey; one of narrowly missing out on the role of a lifetime. From being pulled straight into this author’s captivating writing style, filled with wit and charm, to joining Martin through years and years of struggles and hurdles, there was so much to explore and I had so many feelings. It’s such an incredibly moving and absorbing story of how one boy has to live in the shadows when he was so nearly cast as Harry Potter. It’s one of those books you can’t help but devour and I completely fell in love with it. So poignant, so devastating, but so full of surprises. An absolutely brilliant read!

Huge thanks to Gallic Books and the author, David Foenkinos for my beautiful copy! You can grab your own copy of Second Best right now on Amazon or wherever you buy your books.

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