If this was not a true story, I would absolutely not believe a word of it. The story is so incredible, but while you're reading it you actually get sucked in to the author's world where it's like, "yeah, this can be done." Every once in a while a reality check would hit me and WHAM - I'd be completely blown away by this incredible story again. I don't have many books on my keeper shelf, but luckily I ended up with 2 copies of this so I can share one with PBSers.

BTW - I have not seen the movie. I'm pretty sure I don't want to because the written word really brings out what is in the author's head. I don't think it will translate well to visual.

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This book was not at all what I expected after seeing the movie. The movie essentially told the story of J.D. Bauby's life, his stroke/seizure, and his life afterwards in the hospital. The book is more about his reflections on life. While some of the stories are the same, the effect is not. Both are good in their own ways, but don't expect to love the book just because you loved the movie. I was expecting more of a narrative, and it is more a series of vignettes.

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I read this book and cried at every page. The author had remarkable courage to write this book, through blinking his eyes- all done through a translater.

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This book deserves 5 stars based on the extraordinary efforts it took on the part of the author and his editorial team to tell it. This book could easily have been sad, but because of the author's beautiful writing and spirit is instead a bittersweet ode to the joys of life: family, food, love, etc. The book is slim and easily read in one session.

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A very innteresting look inside the the life of a paraplagic; the struggle of trying to overcome tragic circumstance. Bauby writes from within himself from his perspective of the mind. He shares what he 'sees' from within; his world has changed; he sees things much differently than he used to since he became a paraplagic. Bauby's book gives the reader much to poonder and contemplate. Many should read his book of collected thoughts and writing...

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In 1995, Jean-Dominique Bauby was living a relatively successful life. He was forty-three-years-old; a doting father to two young children with a rewarding career. As the editor-in-chief for the French magazine, Elle, he was a man who was highly regarded by his colleagues. He was someone who was deeply loved and held in the highest esteem for his sharp wit, his indomitable sense of style, and his impassioned approach to life.

However, by the end of the year in 1995, Jean-Dominique had suffered a major health crisis that effectively knocked his world off its axis. He became the victim of an extremely rare kind of stroke to the brain stem. After twenty days spent in a coma, Jean-Dominique eventually awoke inside of a body that had essentially stopped working: only his left eye functioned properly, allowing him to see, and, by blinking, to clearly impart to others that his mind remained unimpaired. Almost miraculously, he was soon able to communicate with others; relearning the ability to express himself in the richest detail, using a unique form of the alphabet.

It was by blinking to select letters one by one as this special alphabet was slowly recited to him, over and over again, that Jean-Dominique learned to communicate again with those around him. In the same unique way, he was eventually able to compose this extraordinary book. Again and again he returns to an "inexhaustible reservoir of sensations," thus managing to keep in touch with himself and the life around him.

At times wistful, mischievous, angry and witty, Jean-Dominique bears witness to his inherent determination to live life as fully within his mind as he had once been able to in his body. He explains the joy, and the deep sadness, he feels at seeing his children; at hearing his aged father's voice on the phone. In magical sequences, he imagines traveling to other places and times; of lying next to the woman he loves. Fed only intravenously, he imagines preparing and tasting the full flavor of delectable dishes.

Jean-Dominique Bauby died two days after the French publication of his book. Yet The Diving Bell and the Butterfly remains as a poignant testimony to a lifetime well-lived - a lasting testament to life itself. Already being greeted with extraordinary acclaim - this is the astonishing, profoundly moving memoir of a man afflicted by locked-in syndrome, a state of almost total paralysis that leaves the victim, in the author's own words, "like a mind in a jar."

Given the serious topic of this book, Mr. Bauby writes his story without a hint of self-indulgence. I was expecting that there might be a certain amount of bitterness, anger, or depression for his situation that Mr. Bauby was feeling - a sense of sorrow for the way his life turned out. Instead, I found it to be a remarkably poignant and courageous memoir, still surprisingly hopeful even in the face of such a devastating illness.

While Mr. Bauby had such incredible difficulty in creating this book, not an ounce of that struggle to communicate is found in his writing. There was an easiness to his writing style that I really appreciated. I give this book an A!

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Amazing story of Jean-Dominique Bauby and his life after suffering a devastating stroke and how blinking with his eyes is the only way he can communicate to others and his ability to tell his story this way with the help of his friend. A book not to be missed.

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I was compelled to read this after having seen the movie. Intriguing

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Amazing book. At points a little confusing but considering it was written by the blinking of an eye it is truly unbelievable! A show into the true strength of the human soul!

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