The Diving-bell and the Butterfly

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. 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 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 achieved instant success. Then, three days later, Bauby died. “The Diving-Bell and the Butterfly”, which records Bauby’s lonely existence, is a book about the triumph of the human spirit and the ability to invent a life for oneself in the most appalling of circumstances.

Reviews “Two days after this remarkable book was published in France to great acclaim, its author died of heart failure. What caused such a stir was the method Bauby used to write it. For in December 1995, the 44-year-old former editor-in-chief of the French Elle magazine had suffered a severe stroke that left his body paralyzed but his mind intact, a condition known as “locked-in syndrome.” Able to communicate only by blinking his left eyelid, he dictated this book letter by letter to an assistant who recited to him a special alphabet. The result is a marvelous, compelling account of Bauby’s life as a “vegetable,” full of humor and devoid of self-pity. Although he was trapped in the diving bell of his body, Bauby’s imagination “takes flight like a butterflyy….You can wander off in space or in time, set out for Tierra del Fuego or for King Midas’s court.” His celebration of life against all odds is highly recommended.” Library Journal ‘Everyone in the country should own at least one copy.’ Guardian “A book of surpassing beauty, a testament to the freedom and vitality and delight of the human mind.” -Oliver Sacks “A wistful, poetic, ironic and whimsically affirmative statement by a man who refused to die in spirit.” -_The New York Times_ “One of the great books of the century. . . . You read it at one go, so gripping is the voyage to the inner heart and mind.” -_Financial Times_ - ‘The most extraordinary book of the year.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Read this book and fall back in love with life.’ Edmund White ‘Life-enhancing and devastating in equal measure — everyone should read it’ Gloss magazine Author Biography Jean-Dominique Bauby was born in 1952. He was the Editor-in-Chief of French Elle Magazine. He died on 9 March 1997.