Reviews

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby

eddyinikea's review against another edition

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slow-paced

1.75

mack_e's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring fast-paced

4.25

His voice and prose is wonderful, especially considering how he had to write this book, and how arduous it must’ve been. It’s a quick read, can cruise through in an hour or two easily. It’s mostly lighthearted as he details his everyday life and thoughts, but he’ll put in a line or two that really make you remember the devastation. 
Truly a feat of the human spirit. 

stephibabes's review against another edition

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4.0

Gosh. This was so moving. I suppose that it is almost a given. Once you know the context in which it was written. But actually Bauby's sense of prose is beautiful and really move me. I felt lost in the half day-dream flights that were so wonderful to be given an opportunity to go on him with. I felt really quite close to him in a way.

ginbat's review against another edition

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reflective sad

3.5

The amazing part of the book is the story BEHIND it

kaulhilo's review against another edition

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4.0

But I see in the clothes a symbol of continuing life. And proof that I still want to be myself. If I must drool, I may as well drool on cashmere.

**this was such a lightread, and so wonderful, it perfectly displays the strength of human consciousness over practically, anything in life, and im just so sAD sad sad over this i can't even function rip

storeytale's review against another edition

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4.5

 Unusual and beautiful writing about life with ‘locked-in’ syndrome. Every letter is a careful choice and the weight of that choice is evident in the clarity of story-telling.

papa_criolla's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

lmbartelt's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

4.75

klgoodrich98's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5/5 rounded up to 4/5

meese_'s review against another edition

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4.0

Blitzed through this in an afternoon instead of working. A captivating read that gives an intriguing insight into Bauby's psychological state while facing lock-in syndrome.

Despite being in quite possibly the worst situation one could find themselves in, Bauby seems to have retained his wit and humour. I personally find it rather relatable to maintain and find humour in even the worst of circumstances.