The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominque Bauby August 19, 2006
Jean-Dominque Bauby had it all, editor of the French magazine, Elle, father of two children, witty, well-traveled and popular. Then at the age of 43, he suffered a massive heart attack,
which left him imprisoned in an inert body with a fully alert mind. I can't believe I actually read this book, since this type of incapacitation is one of my worst nightmares. But I'm so glad I did. Only able to communicate by blinking his left eye, Bauby dictates his anger, frustrations, hopes, regrets, loves, and feelings into what became this concise and moving memoir.
A short chapter entitled "My Lucky Day" illustrates his situation:
"This morning, with first light barely bathing Room 119, evil spirits descended on my world. For half an hour, the alarm on the machine that regulates my feeding tube has been beeping out into the void. I cannot imagine anything so inane or nerve-racking as this piercing beep beep beep pecking away at my brain. As a bonus, my sweat has unglued the tape that keeps my right eyelid closed, and the stuck-together lashes are tickling my pupil unbearably. And to crown it all, the end of my urinary catheter has become detached and I am drenched. Awaiting rescue, I hum an old song by Henri Salvador: 'Don't you fret, baby, it'll be all right.' And here comes the nurse. Automatically, she turns on the TV. A commercial, with a personal computer spelling out the question: 'Were you born lucky?'"
The following quote explains the title:
"My diving bell becomes less oppressive, and my mind takes flight like a butterfly. There is so much to do. You can wander off in space or in time, set out for Tierra del Fuego or for King Midas's court. You can visit the woman you love, slide down beside her and stroke her still-sleeping face. You can build castles in Spain, steal the Golden Fleece, discover Atlantis, realize your childhood dreams and adult ambitions."
A couple of reviews that describe this book well: "This triumphant book allows us to follw the flight of an indomitable spirit and to share its exultation at its own survivial."(Back Cover)"A book of surpassing beauty, a testament to the freedom and vitality and delight of the human mind." (Oliver Sacks)
Rating: 5
which left him imprisoned in an inert body with a fully alert mind. I can't believe I actually read this book, since this type of incapacitation is one of my worst nightmares. But I'm so glad I did. Only able to communicate by blinking his left eye, Bauby dictates his anger, frustrations, hopes, regrets, loves, and feelings into what became this concise and moving memoir.
A short chapter entitled "My Lucky Day" illustrates his situation:
"This morning, with first light barely bathing Room 119, evil spirits descended on my world. For half an hour, the alarm on the machine that regulates my feeding tube has been beeping out into the void. I cannot imagine anything so inane or nerve-racking as this piercing beep beep beep pecking away at my brain. As a bonus, my sweat has unglued the tape that keeps my right eyelid closed, and the stuck-together lashes are tickling my pupil unbearably. And to crown it all, the end of my urinary catheter has become detached and I am drenched. Awaiting rescue, I hum an old song by Henri Salvador: 'Don't you fret, baby, it'll be all right.' And here comes the nurse. Automatically, she turns on the TV. A commercial, with a personal computer spelling out the question: 'Were you born lucky?'"
The following quote explains the title:
"My diving bell becomes less oppressive, and my mind takes flight like a butterfly. There is so much to do. You can wander off in space or in time, set out for Tierra del Fuego or for King Midas's court. You can visit the woman you love, slide down beside her and stroke her still-sleeping face. You can build castles in Spain, steal the Golden Fleece, discover Atlantis, realize your childhood dreams and adult ambitions."
A couple of reviews that describe this book well: "This triumphant book allows us to follw the flight of an indomitable spirit and to share its exultation at its own survivial."(Back Cover)"A book of surpassing beauty, a testament to the freedom and vitality and delight of the human mind." (Oliver Sacks)
Rating: 5
Comments:
booklogged said...
Sounds like a really good book. I need some inspiration what with school starting. A good kick in the seat. This book sounds like it could deliver the wallop I need.
8:29 PM
Bellezza said...
Anything Johnny Depp does is a joy to me! Thanks for keeping us current.
2:18 PM
Joy said...
Wow...may have to add this to my TBR List
posted by Framed @ 9:48 AM
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