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The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly

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( 76,532 ratings, 5,943 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby is a poignant memoir depicting the author's life after suffering a massive stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome. Trapped inside his body, Bauby recounts his thoughts, dreams, and memories with astonishing lucidity and wit, guiding the reader through a journey of resilience, imagination, and the human spirit's enduring strength. The narrative unfolds through the sole movement of his left eyelid, revealing a world shaped by profound introspection despite immense physical limitations.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might appreciate this powerful memoir if you're drawn to stories of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit. The author, through his unique perspective, offers a poignant reflection on life, thoughts, and dreams after a life-changing experience, providing a deeply moving and inspiring read.

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One of the most remarkable memoirs ever written.

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.

The brilliantly fun new lift-the-flap animal board book series with wonderfully colourful illustrations Γ’β‚¬β€œ perfect for young children!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the most remarkable memoirs ever written.

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.

In December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of French Elle and the father of two young children, suffered a massive stroke and found himself paralysed and speechless. But his mind remained as active and alert as it had ever been.

Using his only functioning muscle – his left eyelid – he was determined to tell his remarkable story, painstakingly spelling it out letter by letter.

The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly records Bauby’s lonely existence but also the ability to invent a life for oneself in the most appalling of circumstances. It is one of the most extraordinary books about the triumph of the human spirit ever written.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jean-Dominique Bauby's memoir is revered as a profound and extraordinary work, praised for its emotional depth and celebration of life. Critics have lauded it as an unparalleled act of generosity and spirit, highlighting its significance as a monumental piece of literature in recent times. Widely recommended for its exploration of the human condition, the book is seen as a powerful reminder of life's cherished moments.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008610036

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 April 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fourth Estate Ltd

Edition: Collins Modern Classics edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 100g

Pages: 144

About the Author

At the age of forty-three, on 8 December 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby, a well-known Parisian, suffered a massive stroke which rendered his brain stem inactive. When he woke up twenty days later, he found he was mute and almost entirely paralysed; he could only move his head a little, grunt and blink his left eyelid. This rare condition is called locked-in syndrome. Despite his condition, he authored the book The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2002) by blinking when the correct letter was reached by a person slowly reciting the alphabet over and over again. Bauby died three days after the French publication of his book in 1997.

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    The diary of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who, with his left eyelidβ€”the only surviving muscle after a massive strokeβ€”dictated a remarkable book about his experiences locked inside his body. On 8 December 1995, 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 eyelid, although his...
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