The Diving Bell and the Butterfly(Vintage International)
by: Jean-Dominique Bauby
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Amazon.com Review:
We've all got our idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing--aspecial chair we have to sit in, a certain kind of yellow paper weabsolutely must use. To create this tremendously affecting memoir,Jean-Dominique Bauby used the only tool available to him--his lefteye--with which he blinked out its short chapters, letter byletter. Two years ago, Bauby, then the 43-year-old editor-in-chief ofElle France, suffered a rare stroke to the brain stem; only hisleft eye and brain escaped damage. Rather than accept his"locked in" situation as a kind of death, Bauby ignited afire of the imagination under himself and lived his last days--he diedtwo days after the French publication of this slim volume--spirituallyunfettered. In these pages Bauby journeys to exotic places he has andhas not been, serving himself delectable gourmet meals along the way(surprise: everything's ripe and nothing burns). In the simplest ofterms he describes how it feels to see reflected in a window "thehead of a man who seemed to have emerged from a vat offormaldehyde."
Product Description:
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the 43-year-old editor of French Elle, suffered a massive stroke that left him permanently paralyzed, a victim of “locked in syndrome.”Once known for his gregariousness and wit, Bauby now finds himself imprisoned in an inert body, able to communicate only by blinking his left eye. The miracle is that in doing so he was able to compose this stunningly eloquent memoir.
In a voice that is by turns wistful and mischievous, angry and sardonic, Bauby gives us a celebration of the liberating power of consciousness: what it is like to spend a day with his children, to imagine lying in bed beside his wife, to conjure up the flavor of delectable meals even as he is fed through at tube. Most of all, this triumphant book lets us witness an indomitable spirit and share in the pure joy of its own survival.
We've all got our idiosyncrasies when it comes to writing--aspecial chair we have to sit in, a certain kind of yellow paper weabsolutely must use. To create this tremendously affecting memoir,Jean-Dominique Bauby used the only tool available to him--his lefteye--with which he blinked out its short chapters, letter byletter. Two years ago, Bauby, then the 43-year-old editor-in-chief ofElle France, suffered a rare stroke to the brain stem; only hisleft eye and brain escaped damage. Rather than accept his"locked in" situation as a kind of death, Bauby ignited afire of the imagination under himself and lived his last days--he diedtwo days after the French publication of this slim volume--spirituallyunfettered. In these pages Bauby journeys to exotic places he has andhas not been, serving himself delectable gourmet meals along the way(surprise: everything's ripe and nothing burns). In the simplest ofterms he describes how it feels to see reflected in a window "thehead of a man who seemed to have emerged from a vat offormaldehyde."
Product Description:
In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the 43-year-old editor of French Elle, suffered a massive stroke that left him permanently paralyzed, a victim of “locked in syndrome.”Once known for his gregariousness and wit, Bauby now finds himself imprisoned in an inert body, able to communicate only by blinking his left eye. The miracle is that in doing so he was able to compose this stunningly eloquent memoir.
In a voice that is by turns wistful and mischievous, angry and sardonic, Bauby gives us a celebration of the liberating power of consciousness: what it is like to spend a day with his children, to imagine lying in bed beside his wife, to conjure up the flavor of delectable meals even as he is fed through at tube. Most of all, this triumphant book lets us witness an indomitable spirit and share in the pure joy of its own survival.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Not a comfortable read, but contemplative
It is impossible for me to separate out the content of this book from the manner in which it was written - dictated one letter at a time by blinking after a massive stroke. It is a book both triumphant and acutely sad, and although a quick read in real time, the narrative plays on the theme of time itself, forcing you to slow down for the duration of the read and consider the implications of being trapped by your own body and stripped of both movement and a spontaneous voice - a prospect any sane ... Read More
Rating: 
- Monsieur Jean-Dominique Bauby kindred spirit to my James. RIP
I have only come across this book recently,June 2009. I stumbled onto it by what I feel to be only described as divine intervention as my husband has recently passed from MSA (Multiple System Atrophy), a rare neurological disorder. Similarly to Monsieur Bauby, my late husband, James, lost his mobility, was unable to communicate except with his eyes and needed complete care. We did have a short period where he could talk and swallow with a PMV (Passy-Muir Tracheostomy Valve). However, it was all too ... Read More
Rating: - worth the read
This is a good book, with a very interesting and engaging story. In addition to that, I think it would be beneficial to read for those who may have a family member or friend who has suffered head trauma, because it helps to give insight into the thoughts and struggles of someone who can't communicate via traditional means. Too often we may view these people as less intelligent or unable to fully understand their surroundings. This book shows how very frustrating it is to convey thoughts when "locked ... Read More
Rating: - Book Review: Diving Bell & The Butterfly
The Review
After reading Lisa's Best of 2008 List and after speaking to a fellow "Basketball Mom" last week, I was intrigued to read The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. The story is a sort of an auto-biographical one, however only sharing Bauby's remarkably beautiful memories of the life he lost after the massive stroke he suffered in December 1995. At the time, Bauby was 43 years old and the editor of French Elle Magazine. From what I gather in this book, his life was once filled ... Read More
Rating: - Haunting. Beautiful. SCARY
Wow. To say that this book makes an impact is to state the obvious. Jean existed in what I would call a "living hell" -- alert and cognizant though paralyzed and trapped -- "locked in" his mind without the ability to communicate his thoughts, feelings, needs, or condition to anyone. He suffered a stroke at a very young age and was left completely paralyzed with only the capability of sight, thought and the ability to blink his left eye. I felt his frustration, his every breath, his longing to move his ... Read More
- Not a comfortable read, but contemplativeIt is impossible for me to separate out the content of this book from the manner in which it was written - dictated one letter at a time by blinking after a massive stroke. It is a book both triumphant and acutely sad, and although a quick read in real time, the narrative plays on the theme of time itself, forcing you to slow down for the duration of the read and consider the implications of being trapped by your own body and stripped of both movement and a spontaneous voice - a prospect any sane ... Read More
- Monsieur Jean-Dominique Bauby kindred spirit to my James. RIPI have only come across this book recently,June 2009. I stumbled onto it by what I feel to be only described as divine intervention as my husband has recently passed from MSA (Multiple System Atrophy), a rare neurological disorder. Similarly to Monsieur Bauby, my late husband, James, lost his mobility, was unable to communicate except with his eyes and needed complete care. We did have a short period where he could talk and swallow with a PMV (Passy-Muir Tracheostomy Valve). However, it was all too ... Read More
- worth the readThis is a good book, with a very interesting and engaging story. In addition to that, I think it would be beneficial to read for those who may have a family member or friend who has suffered head trauma, because it helps to give insight into the thoughts and struggles of someone who can't communicate via traditional means. Too often we may view these people as less intelligent or unable to fully understand their surroundings. This book shows how very frustrating it is to convey thoughts when "locked ... Read More
- Book Review: Diving Bell & The ButterflyThe Review
After reading Lisa's Best of 2008 List and after speaking to a fellow "Basketball Mom" last week, I was intrigued to read The Diving Bell and The Butterfly. The story is a sort of an auto-biographical one, however only sharing Bauby's remarkably beautiful memories of the life he lost after the massive stroke he suffered in December 1995. At the time, Bauby was 43 years old and the editor of French Elle Magazine. From what I gather in this book, his life was once filled ... Read More
- Haunting. Beautiful. SCARYWow. To say that this book makes an impact is to state the obvious. Jean existed in what I would call a "living hell" -- alert and cognizant though paralyzed and trapped -- "locked in" his mind without the ability to communicate his thoughts, feelings, needs, or condition to anyone. He suffered a stroke at a very young age and was left completely paralyzed with only the capability of sight, thought and the ability to blink his left eye. I felt his frustration, his every breath, his longing to move his ... Read More
