The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly (Vintage International) (4th Estate Matchbook Classics) (Stranger Than...)

by Jean-Dominique Bauby

The diary of Jean-Dominique Bauby who, with his left eyelid (the only surviving muscle after a massive stroke) dictated a remarkable book about his experiences locked inside his body. A masterpiece and a bestseller in France.

On 8 December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a massive stroke and slipped into a coma. When he regained consciousness three weeks later, the only muscle left functioning was in his left eylid although his mind remained as active and alert as it had ever been. He spent most of 1996 writing this book, letter by letter, blinking as an alphabet was repeatedly read out to him. The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly was published in France on Thursday 6th March 1997. It was immediately hailed as a masterpiece. And then, three days later, he died.

The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly, which records Bauby’s lonely existence, is probably the most remarkable book about the triumph of the human spirit, the ability to invent a life for oneself in the most appalling of circumstances, that you will ever read.

• ISBN10: 1857027795
• ISBN13: 9781857027792
• Publish Date: 10 April 1997
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 4 October 2004
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: 4th Estate
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 144
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[batsysk]

It's a very difficult book to review. I loved some of the ideas and I really admire the author. I just think the form wasn't really for me.