Customer Reviews
Fall in love with every day life again - By: Kasey J, 26 Aug 2008 
This is possibly the worst situation anyone could ever be in yet, Bauby tried his hardest to remain positive & showed heroic humour throughout the entire book. Whilst an unbelievably sad situation, the book is not depressing.
You can read the whole book quite quickly. Even those who don't read often can enjoy this reasonably short story with a huge positive impact.
For me, this book has reunited myself with the life we are supposed to be living. Appreciating whatever little we might have, whether it be the ability of complete or limited physical movement, or material possessions, we are unable to enjoy them if we don't appreciate them.
We must stop & smell the flowers more, or watch a butterfly in action when we have the opportunity. For me, doing these kinds of things, honours Bauby more as it is my way of showing appreciation of his efforts to survive in a crushed state.
For now, Jean-Dominique Bauby can rest in peace. And in the day of resurrection, he shalll walk, talk & enjoy the real life again.
John 5:21, 28 & 29
excellent - By: Andrew P. Logie, 21 Aug 2008 Short enough to read in one sitting, this book is well worth the read. It describes the vivid thoughts of a man struck down by a debilitating stroke at the peak of his career. Darkly comic & ultimately optimistic, the book is a compulsive page turner, & makes an excellent companion to the movie. Its alll the more remarkable given that it was written through the medium of a blink of an eye.
Lasting impression - By: A. Forrest, 30 Apr 2008 "Le Scaphandre et le Papillon" is a fantastic read full stop. I understand other's thoughts on this book & I respect their opinions, but for me, this book has had a lasting impression. I have also watched, about 2 years after having read the book, the French film version which was fairly accurate in relation to the book. I found that I gained enough insight into his former life to suffice - one must not expect memoirs of his entire life, but a focus upon his life after the stroke with a few references to his 'former' life. Both the book & the film are well written & produced & I have recommended & will continue to recommend it to anyone & everyone.
Five stars dosent do it justice... - By: D. Ashton, 27 Mar 2008 I admit it, i'm emotional; I cried at this book, but for good reason;
The brain rarely fails, but when it does, god almighty, does it fail!
I couldn't bear reading this book for longer then a few moments at a time, because I knew what was happening to him.
Nevertheless, to place it in the context of the reader; imagine your arms, your legs, everything being tied down, tied down so tight you can't feel them, you can't feel your heart, nor your lungs. You have yourself, your brain. That's alll.
Terrifying, & a grim reminder of what awaits us if we do not take care of our brain.
staggeringly beautifully written and surprisingly not depressing - By: CAROLYN, 21 Mar 2008 A friend offered me this book some while back & I'm humbled to say I discarded it & only read it wshen she asked for it back. I am ashamed that I didn't bother to read it earlier because I found it one of the most moving & uplifting books I have ever read. What a fantastic piece of literature - it would have been brilliant even without the unbelievable effort & heartache that went into compiling it it.
I think it is so significant it should be placed on the national curriculum to shame the lazy among us to get up & do something with their lives, while they can.
