The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

A Memoir of Life in Death

By: Jean-Dominique Bauby

Narrated by: René Auberjonois

In 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby was the editor-in-chief of French Elle, the father of two young childen, a 44-year-old man known and loved for his wit, his style, and his impassioned approach to life. By the end of the year he was also the victim of a rare kind of stroke to the brainstem. After 20 days in a coma, Bauby awoke into a body which had all but stopped working: only his left eye functioned, allowing him to see and, by blinking it, to make clear that his mind was unimpaired. Almost miraculously, he was soon able to express himself in the richest detail: dictating a word at a time, blinking to select each letter as the alphabet was recited to him slowly, over and over again. In the same way, he was able eventually to compose this extraordinary book.

By turns wistful, mischievous, angry, and witty, Bauby bears witness to his determination to live as fully in his mind as he had been able to do in his body. He explains the joy, and deep sadness, of seeing his children and of hearing his aged father's voice on the phone. In magical sequences, he imagines traveling to other places and times and of lying next to the woman he loves. Fed only intravenously, he imagines preparing and tasting the full flavor of delectable dishes. Again and again he returns to an "inexhaustible reservoir of sensations," keeping in touch with himself and the life around him.

Jean-Dominique Bauby died two days after the French publication of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

This book is a lasting testament to his life.

©1997 Jean-Dominique Bauby (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The book's tone, in Jeremy Leggatt's translation, is dominated by a sweet, even humorous, lyricism.” —The New York Times

“The real poignancy of these pieces is their ordinariness, [and their] moments of extraordinary sadness and beauty." —Publishers Weekly

Short but well written

I've been meaning to read this book since it came out in the late 90's. I'm glad I finally got to it. What an interesting perspective on a condition that none of us could imagine enduring. I love reading books that can make us see out of the eyes of people for whom we would give no thought otherwise. (Thinking in Pictures and Middlesex come to mind.) Jean-Dominique Bauby tells of his loneliness and degradation of locked-in syndrome with grace and dreaminess. I am truly amazed at the effort it took to write this book. I wish he could have lived to see his story reach people.

One of a kind biography

Riveting insight into a man trapped in the most inescapable prison, his own mind and body.

Uniquely Excellent!

soulful perspective one of a kind. true amazement, courage and observation on writers part. must read for in healthcare field personnel . introspective outlook on illness that took over writers life. his touching internal growth , sadness and stillness present an unseen and unknown view. this book was in a strange way uplifting. depth of human mind and perserverance of not giving up and living it to the fullest.

Amazing, heart wrenching and inspiring!

This was an incredible story of a man who found a way to add value into his life when his body had betrayed him. I couldn't turn it off!

an original

i thought this was a really interesting and unique insight into the life of someone who has become completely paralyzed and unable to communicate through normal means. pretty short, so it didn't take me long to get through it. i hadn't really thought of what it would be like to be in a body unable to do anything, while your mind is fully functional. i'm grateful that jean-dominique bauby and his transcriber were able to put this together. such an interesting story.

Beautifully poetic and moving

Bauby writes with a beautiful lightness like poetry but never avoiding the truth of his situation. His ability to transcend his situation is very moving and inspiring.

Gone but not forgotten

This is an important story for all to hear. Sad and very informative. we will all one day know someone who experienced a stroke. This will help you better understand what they are experiencing so you can better interact with them.

Inspiring

When you know how the book was written and the effort that it took the author to narrate it letter by letter, you can't but get inspired!

RIP Jean-Dominique.

Depressing

Great narration. Depressing as hell.
I applaud his resolve however. I'm not sure I could have such a good attitude.

The price is right buy the book

Heart breaking and sweeping as bit as the world and as small as a thought.