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The Diving-bell and the Butterfly (Cascades) | 
 enlarge | Author: Jean-dominique Bauby
Publisher: Collins Educational
Category: Book
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Media: Hardcover
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.7
ISBN: 000330213X
EAN: 9780003302134
ASIN: 000330213X
Publication Date: February 20, 2000
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
On December 8, 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby's life was forever altered when a part of his body he'd never heard of--his brain stem--was rendered inactive. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, his exquisitely painful memoir, is neither a triumphant account of recovery nor a journey into the abyss of self-pity. Instead, it is a tender testament to the power of language and love. At 43, Bauby was defined by success, wit and charisma. But in the course of a few bewildering minutes, the editor-in-chief of French Elle became a victim of the rare locked-in syndrome. The only way he could express his frustration, however, was by blinking his left eye. The rest of his body could no longer respond. Bauby was determined to escape the paralysis of his diving bell and free the butterflies of his imagination. And with the help of ESA, "a hit parade in which each letter is placed according to the frequency of its use in the French language," Bauby did so. Visitors, and eventually his editor, would read each letter aloud and he would blink at the right one. Slowly--painstakingly-- words, sentences, paragraphs and even this graceful book emerged. Bauby relays the horrors and small graces of his struggle, which range from awaking one day to discover his right eye being sewn shut to realising the significance of Father's Day, a holiday previously absent from his family's "emotional calendar": "Today we spent the whole of the symbolic day together, affirming that even a rough sketch, a shadow, a tiny fragment of a dad is still a dad." The author makes it clear that being locked in doesn't kick open the doors of perception, but The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is nonetheless a celebration of life. Jean Dominique-Bauby died of a heart attack on March 9, 1997, two days after his book was published in France.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 Lasting impression April 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
"Le Scaphandre et le Papillon" is a fantastic read full stop. I understand other's thoughts on this book and I respect their opinions, but for me, this book has had a lasting impression. I have also watched, about 2 years after having read the book, the French film version which was fairly accurate in relation to the book. I found that I gained enough insight into his former life to suffice - one must not expect memoirs of his entire life, but a focus upon his life after the stroke with a few references to his 'former' life. Both the book and the film are well written and produced and I have recommended and will continue to recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Five stars dosent do it justice... March 27, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
I admit it, i'm emotional; I cried at this book, but for good reason;
The brain rarely fails, but when it does, god almighty, does it fail!
I couldn't bear reading this book for longer then a few moments at a time, because I knew what was happening to him.
Nevertheless, to place it in the context of the reader; imagine your arms, your legs, everything being tied down, tied down so tight you can't feel them, you can't feel your heart, nor your lungs. You have yourself, your brain. That's all.
Terrifying, and a grim reminder of what awaits us if we do not take care of our brain.
 Touching achievement March 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
The story behind the book and author is touching. My wife rates this is one of the best books she has ever read, but I found it pretty average. I just did not learn enough about the actual author from the book. I completely understand that the effort required to "dictate" meant the book had to be short, but I still was left wanting alot more. The most moving section for me was the chapter describing the last moments before the stroke. My wife and I now plan to see the film when it is on DVD. It will be interested to see how the book transfers to film.
staggeringly beautifully written and surprisingly not depressing March 21, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
A friend offered me this book some while back and I'm humbled to say I discarded it and only read it wshen she asked for it back. I am ashamed that I didn't bother to read it earlier because I found it one of the most moving and uplifting books I have ever read. What a fantastic piece of literature - it would have been brilliant even without the unbelievable effort and heartache that went into compiling it it.
I think it is so significant it should be placed on the national curriculum to shame the lazy among us to get up and do something with their lives, while they can.
 thought provoking March 21, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
the dedication and sheer will displayed to write this story is inspiring. It brings home the fact that those that have so much can have it taken away so quickly. Food for thought. Worth a read
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