The Diving Bell and the Butterfly | 
pickAfter a devastating CVA, Mr Bauby experienced a tragic loss of independence and health. His inner life remained rich while his outer life was one of inability to speak, eat, or move. This was a moving, claustrophobic telling of isolation.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️it‘s amazing what we are capable of achieving and what we are capable@of tolerating. Bauby was struck down in the prime of his jet setting life by a rare type if stroke and could only move one eye. He learned to communicate and write this book about his experience and his thoughts on life. Didn‘t like the guy but appreciated his honesty. Better than sugar coating it all.
pick😢 This is not spoiler for the memoir, but I was so sad to learn Bauby died 2 days after his book was published. He was diligently searching for the keys to unlock the diving bell.
Ok, this is going to be tricky, because I own a good deal of books...
- True Grit (#randyspiles)
- The Spy who came in from the Cold (also #randyspiles)
- The Woman who would be King
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- The Stranger
Thanks for the tag @The_Penniless_Author 🙃💕
panIt makes sense that the book was short and the chapters were short given how difficult and how much time it must have taken to “write” this book. The chapters read like little essays. I found his ordeal much more interesting than the chapters on his dreams or reminiscences – those just seemed to ramble and I found them boring. I like the idea of the book, and it‘s incredible that he was able to do it at all, but it wasn‘t very interesting to me.
I absolutely loved the language in this book and the feelings evoked by it. It was on my TBR for years and I‘m so glad I got around to reading it. Highly recommended.
#alphabetgame @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
so-soI am not sure how I came across this title, but I am glad I did. Reading it for #192025, first published in French in 1997 it tells the story of Bauby who at the height of his career and prime of life suffers a stroke. His mind recovers but his body never does. He dictated the 88 page book by blinking his eyes to the alphabet. Both horrifying and uplifting of a life cut short but fully lived.
pickFor the year 1997 I selected to read this memoir. This author experienced a massive stroke at the age of 43 and suffered from what is called “Locked In” syndrome. He dictated this book by blinking his left eye. The only movement the man had left after the stroke. This is heartbreaking but worth the read #19822022 @Librarybelle
It‘s Disability Pride month! My July reads focused on authors with various disabilities. (Except for “Such a Fun Age”. This was gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.) Unfortunately, I had little time for reading this month. #JulyReads #DisabilityPrideMonth #OwnVoices
pickThis story is poetic, meaningful, deep, heart wrenching, lovely. What an important perspective of receiving care during a dark time. All people should read this!
pickThis book has become one of my favourites. As we say in Australia ‘Straight to the pool room!‘🤣
How can such a small book convey so much? I feel like I have been punched in the gut! This memoir is deeply affecting with such extraordinary insight into what makes life magical. His writing is beautiful and descriptive. ❤️
@MrBook #ReadwithMrBook
#BooksAndDisabilities
July Reads
Most intriguing—Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Least rewarding—Florida Roadkill
4 non-fiction (possibly a record high)
5 thrillers (possibly a record low)
@TK421 #quotesyjuly #detour
“You can handle the wheelchair,” said the orderly, with a smile intended to make the remark sound like good news, whereas to my ears it had the ring of a life sentence.
I know these should be quotes using the word prompts, but this life detour was so profound that I wanted to include it.
pickAt 44 years of age Jean Dominique-Bauby had a massive brain stem stroke and as a result was left with “Locked in Syndrome”, a condition that leaves the person cognitively intact but motorically challenged. His only volitional movement was the blink of his left eye. Bauby wrote this book about his life following his stroke- one blink at a time. It is both an uplifting & heartbreaking read. A testament to the power of the human spirit!👍🏻
A very good friend recommended this to me and then I spotted a copy for a pound!
pickA quick yet remarkable read... written by a man trapped in his own body after suffering a massive stroke. He tediously communicated this piece, letter by letter via blinking his left eye. This is a poignant and concise work - illuminating and detailing life through the eyes of someone who has been forever changed.
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A neurologist told me 3 weeks ago I was exhibiting pre-stroke symptoms. I'm better now. This book was timely. ♡ Be well.
pickExquisite memoir by the former editor of French Elle, who suffered a massive stroke at the age of 43 and now has "locked in " syndrome. He was able to communicate through blinking to indicate the letter he wanted to use to communicate. It's a beautiful reflection on what is truly important in life and how our memories can help to sustain us. #nonfictionNovember
“My cocoon becomes less oppressive, and my mind takes flight like a butterfly” 🦋
I‘m so in awe of this book. Written entirely through blinking by a man with ‘locked-in syndrome‘ describing what it‘s like to live in his condition. A short and at times witty book. Definite must read!!!
This was an unfamiliar song, so I pulled up the lyrics (yay Google!). When I read the second verse, this book popped right into my mind. It‘s a memoir written by a man afflicted with a type of stroke called “locked-in syndrome.” He dictated the book by blinking his left eyelid. Not a long book, it‘s a five-star gut punch. Worth an afternoon, especially if you know anyone who‘s been through any type of brain injury.
#octoberxfiles #misterasylum
pickI can truly understand that frustration when a fly wandering around your face especially when you can‘t move your hand to make it go away .... the author is brilliant and his writing is such a classy 😇
“In my retracted world, the hours drag on but the months flash by. I can‘t believe it‘s August”
Pretty representative of my feelings at the moment.
I‘ve honestly had the best job this summer, I get to spend all day reading and helping people with their book needs #summerdreamjobs #letmeread #lastfewdays
My August 📚 #BOTM
The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly I‘m particularly excited about! It was entirely written through blinking. The author is unable to communicate in any other way! 😮
Anyone read any of these?
I‘m catching up on all the #jb mail I got this week and last week. I got some awesome and kind letters this week! Thank you soooo sooooo much @CBee for the book!! I‘m looking forward to reading this one before I watch the movie!! So thoughtful! Thank you also to @EH2018 I loved your card and the Mickey Mouse bookmark!❤️😘 Thank you @CareBear for the palm tree card!! I look forward to writing you back and getting to know you! Thanks y‘all! 😘😘😘😍
"After suffering a massive stroke, Jean-Dominique Baudy, editor-in-chief of French Elle and the father of two young children, found himself completely paralyzed, speechless and only able to move one eyelid. With his eyelid he 'dictated' this remarkable book."
@maich #MarchInBooks #photochallenge
Mar. 5: Under 200 Pages
pickAmazing. Bauby had a stroke in his brain stem that resulted in him having locked-in syndrome. He wrote the book by blinking his left eye! Highly recommend. I needed to have tissues handy but I cry at commercials so take that for what it's worth.
pickJean Dominique Bauby suffered a massive stroke at 43 that left him completely and permanently paralysed except for the ability to blink his left eye. This is his memoir. It is short and beautiful and incredibly moving. The time and effort every sentence must have taken him! This is a testament to the power of the mind as well as being heart breakingly sad.
I'm surprised that it took me as long as it did to get through this piece. It is so beautifully and eloquently written that I got chills and a lump in my throat multiple times. I admire and adore work that captures the resilience of the human spirit, as heartbreaking as it can be to read.
Wonderful novel. If only I remembered enough French to read his dictated words without translation.. perhaps someday.
#readjanuary #autobiography
I am in awe every time I look at this book. The author suffered a stroke that left him only partially able to move his head and eyes. He wrote the book by blinking out the letters to a transcriber.
pickBeautiful and heartbreaking. What is left when all physical control is taken from us. Highly recommended. #nonfiction #beautiful #recommendsday
Quick read, memoir of a 46 year old man who had a massive stroke and was then paralyzed and could only communicate through blinking his left eye.
Brunch and book club, hosted by yours truly this time. Cheesy scrambled eggs in egg roll wrappers with hollandaise sauce, maple and mandarin arugula salad, fruit and of course cinnamon-sugar dippers. And coffee - my first coffee in months!! So yum. Topped off with a good conversation about a heavy but quick book. Perfect snowy Sunday morning.
pick#photoadaynov16 #disabilities Incredibly moving. Confined to his hospital bed with Locked-In Syndrome, Beauby composed this exquisitely written memoir by blinking out each letter. Profound example of how we are so much more than our physical selves. @RealLifeReading
The doctor says I need to de-stress, so here I am, stressing about de-stressing while de-stressing.
It's cold and I'd like to go inside and read but SOMEONE (and his grumpy buddy) wants to chase squirrels & turkeys in the woods. I may be here awhile.
I love reading memoirs! This year I have read a whole passel of wonderful ones. This is part one - those I read visually (paper or book). Every one has its unique voice and tale, so I'm not picking a top favorite. That's like choosing between children! #booktober #memorablememoir #memorablememoirs
#SeptemberReads! Littens, I'm so impressed with the number of books some of you read! Numbers in the 20s? 😱
My favourite this month was The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, a short memoir - well worth reading. My review of it got featured on the Litsy Instagram account today!
I am fading away. Slowly but surely. Like the sailor who watches his home shore gradually disappear, I watch my past recede. My old life still burns within me, but more and more of it is reduced to the ashes of memory.
pickIncredible memoir written by a man with locked-in syndrome, only able to blink his left eye to communicate. This had been on my TBR list for ages and something made me grab it today - I'm so happy I did. A short read with a conversational feel, somewhat ironically with him doing all the talking. Definitely a thumbs up from me.
pickIncredible memoir written by a man with locked-in syndrome, only able to blink his left eye to communicate. This had been on my TBR list for ages and something made me grab it today - I'm so happy I did. A short read with a conversational feel, somewhat ironically with him doing all the talking. Definitely a thumbs up from me.
