PUBLISHER: Harper Perennial
GENRES: Nonfiction Books, Autobiography Books, Memoir Books
AUTHORS: Jean-Dominique Bauby
PAGES: 143 pages
ISBN13: 9780007139842
TAGS: Nonfiction Books, Autobiography Books, Memoir Books, Free Books, PDF Books
LANGUAGE: en
TYPE: Digital
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is a memoir by Jean-Dominique Bauby, the former editor-in-chief of French Elle magazine, who suffered a severe stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome. The book was written by Bauby through the use of partner-assisted scanning, where he blinked his left eyelid to select characters one at a time to compose words, phrases, and eventually, this memoir.
The memoir describes Bauby’s life before and after the stroke. Before the stroke, he was a successful and charismatic man with a fulfilling personal and professional life. However, after the stroke, he was left completely paralyzed, with only his left eye functioning.
Despite his condition, Bauby’s mind remained sharp, and he dictated the memoir by blinking when the correct letter was reached as his assistant recited a frequency-ordered alphabet. The book explores his experiences, emotions, and memories, offering a profound reflection on life, human resilience, and the power of the mind.
Through Bauby’s vivid descriptions and introspection, the reader gains insight into the challenges and triumphs of living with locked-in syndrome. Despite his physical limitations, Bauby finds solace in his memories, imagination, and the beauty of language, creating a poignant and inspiring narrative that celebrates the human spirit.
