The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death (Vintage International) Paperback – 1 July 1998

Puts the fragility of our lives in perspective in short unassuming easy to read chapters which I like in an ebook

This short, simple book reminds us of the frailty of human existence and just how much we take for granted. I feel that the Diving Bell represents the submerged trapped emotions of the author, the dark and lonely place he finds himself in, also the dead weight of his physical inability as well as the inability to express himself. Almost like a bad dream where you are unable to move and you try to scream but the sound doesn't form. A man trapped in his own body, physically unable to move or speak, a prisoner within himself yet the mind fully functional. The only way to communicate, blinking his left eye, his window to the world, which flutters excessively to dictate every word, sentence and paragraph that forms this creation. The Butterfly representing the imagination, the intricate workings of the mind and perhaps also the hope that the author might eventually be freed from his cocoon like existence. The butterfly, highly symbolic representing transition and change, often painful, but also conveying colour, movement, beauty and ultimately new life and freedom. The author died shortly after this work was published, but he leaves a book that almost urges us to embrace our natural freedom and not build self imposed prisons of fear in our lives when one could so easily be thrust upon us. The mind should always roam free no matter what other limitations may be imposed, the spirit taking it's own direction, the individual remaining true to themselves, just as Jean Dominique Bauby did when he told his story.

This story is incredible. The way the author was able to communicate, the descriptions and the memories described will stay with me for a long time.

Many people have nightmares about being paralysed and unable to speak but this story turns a horror story into poetry and the power of imagination. In a way, it’s about who we are. Essentially, we exist in our minds. He does still relish the senses, mainly through smell and memory, but he cannot partake of any physical pleasures, except in his imagination. The power of his spirit is incredible.

This is a truly moving, powerful and ultimately life-affirming narrative and in my opinion is right up there with the very best that non-fiction can offer. Jean Dominique-Bauby is the narrator of his own story, who tells of his imprisonment within his own body after suffering the rare locked-in syndrome, a sort of waking, physical coma where the mind is alive but the body isn't. Before his illness, Jean Dominique-Bauby is the bon vivant editor of French Elle magazine, leading a louche, carefree and vibrant lifestyle. When he illness strikes, he effectively becomes a vegetable, but within the paralysed body, the man and the spirit live on. His narrative, retold painstakingly using a system of blinks to transcribe his thoughts and feelings, is by turns funny, sad, heroic, dismal and poignant. It's a wonderful read, made all the more significant by the fact that you know every letter of every word that appears on the page represents a monumental effort of sheer will and the determination that comes from recognising that, whatever obstacles life throws in your way, it is the only life you have.

Okay well if you do not like massive books or too much reading this is for you! After seeing the film I wanted to read the book to see what it is like and what a man who can only move his eye actually do. Quite a lot and what's more he is incredibly normal.The book is a breathtaking account of one man's thoughts and feelings with 'locked-in' syndrome or basically what you would consider a human vegetable. But it is much more complex, the ex-Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine writes an incredible prose full of wonder, excitement and description. The chapters are short and easy to digest.I recommend seeing both the film and reading the book here is why:The book - gives an account of this persons thoughts, feelings and a little insight into his personality. This tells you what is on the inside.The Film - Is a great piece of movie making which explains what is happening on the outside from the moment Mr. Bauby wakes up in hospital to the end really.My mother did not want to read the book because she felt it would make her feel sad, but it is quite the opposite. In fact, reading about victims of locked-in syndrome on Wikipedia out of the 20 or so cases around the world, only one committed suicide. The others? Just got on with things including a talent scout that works for Middlesbrough.Well worth a read!

Good book, but not my thing so wasn't moved

I have a friend who's husband has had a stroke like this.This book really 'talks' from the other side.All those who care for someone should read it and know how much even little matters when you are so very vulnerable.Clearly a very literate and intelligent man with an incredible visual capacity who could express that so well in words and has achieved more in his last months writing this than many of us do in a whole lifetime.His honesty but passion for life were inspirational yet I personally feel he would not have wanted to continue trapped as he was ad infinitum and may well have mentally chosen to pass away as many folk do, usually elderly when they know and accept they no longer have the life they want or need.