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| Plot Summary of The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death |
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"Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, was a mere 43 when he suffered a stoke, which resulted in incredible damage to his brain stem. His stroke propelled him into a coma which lasted several weeks. Upon awakening from the coma, he learned that he was the victim of a very rare disorder called locked in syndrome, or LIS. The only part of his body which he could move was one of his eyelids. Although his mind was fully functional, he could not speak at all. With the aid of a therapist, he was able to structure a code of communicating with the movement of his eyelid, while the therapist pointed to the alphabet. As his only means of communicating, it was so painstaking slow, yet it was his vital link to those he loved.
This memoir is a tale of charm, wit, and beauty. The passions expressed were poignant, with the author's mind reliving his past in order to contain his sanity in the present. His descriptives were superb - his strength inspiring. To have the world in the palm of your hand on one day and the next day, you are virtually a prisoner, locked inside your own body. His despair was masked with humor and wit and never once did he feel sorry for himself to the point of anguish. Would I have been as courageous as he in the same situation?
This is quick read, divided into numerous chapters, each a little tale in its own. You will laugh and you will cry - as you realize that life as you know it can be taken from you in a heartbeat and you will be forever changed. His beauty is expressed through his prose as the reader can see his mind is totally intact, but alas, it is his body that binds him. The reader's compassion is elevated as Jean-Dominique's sensitivity and remarkable spirit shines though, masking the sadness of the knowledge of death slowly making its way to his door. His legacy is contained in the beauty of his words.
An excellent book that will tug at your heart. It will also heighten your sensitivity to the fact that despite his disabilities, he still needed the comfort and love of friends and family. The realization that some "friends" could not accept his condition and chose not to visit touched me deeply. He needed the love and the beauty of friends around him more than ever. A deeply moving book which will open your heart and give you a new perspective on living life to the fullest.
"
Judith E. Pavluvcik, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Diving Bell and The Butterfly: A Memoir of Life in Death |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Phys disability/mental struggle?
Yes
Struggle with
- physical disability/sickness
Period of greatest activity?
- 1950+
Subject of Biography
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- journalist
Age:
- 40's-50's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Ethnicity
- White
Nationality
- French
How sensitive is this person?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other people
Physique
- physically sick
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 8 ()
Europe
Yes
European country:
- France
Century:
- 1980's-Present
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
Book makes you feel?
- thoughtful
Unusual Style:
- a lot of stream of consciousness
Writer's slant towards subject:
- very favorable
Story of entire life, or part?
- story of set of events during life
If this is a kid's book:
- Age 16-Adult
Autobiography?
Yes
Pictures/Illustrations?
- None
How much dialogue in bio?
- significantly more dialog than descript
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life?
- 0-25% of book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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