Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon (French Edition) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jean-Dominique Bauby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999

On December 8 1995, Elle magazine editor-in-chief Bauby suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma. He awoke 20 days later, mentally aware of his surroundings but physically paralyzed with the exception of some movement in his head and left eye. Bauby had Locked-in-Syndrome, a rare condition caused by stroke damage to the brain stem. Eye movements and blinking a code representing letters of the alphabet became his sole means of communication. It is also how he dictated this warm, sad, and extraordinary memoir. Bauby's thoughts on the illness, the hospital, family, friends, career, and life before and after the stroke appear with considerable humor and humanity. Actor Rene Auberjonois's narration adds to the poignancy of the story. Sadly, Bauby died of his condition in 1997

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: French --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 139 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (FR) (January 1999)
• Language: French
• ISBN-10: 2266080598
• ISBN-13: 978-2266080590
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,257,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Untranslated > French

More About the Author

Jean-Dominique Bauby was born in 1952. He was the Editor-in-Chief of French Elle Magazine. He died on the 9th of March 1997.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an interesting, though upsetting, book, January 16, 2001

By 

Barbara J. Chaplin (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon (French Edition) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was written by a middle-aged man who had suffered a devastating stroke. After the stroke he was only able to move one eyelid, and so the book was laborously dictated letter by letter, using the blinking of his eye to choose letters from a computer screen. In the book he talks about his condition, and meditates about his life, both before and after the stroke. It's a compelling read. It gives you insight into the kind of life that few of us would have any access to. It's upsetting simply because you can't help thinking about how you would react in the same situation.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the shipping was free and fast, March 25, 2008

By 

D. Ibrahim (baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (French original of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) (French Edition) (Paperback)

The book was in the French original version. The price was expensive but worth it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving story of the Founding (?)Editor of Elle magazine, May 4, 2005

By 

Magenta108 (Montreal Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon (French Edition) (Mass Market Paperback)

Very Moving story of J-D B., who was a founding editor, I think, ofthe original Elle magazine, in France. He had "locked-in syndrome" and could hardly move a muscle - except for his eyes- or at least one of them. With said eye and eyelid he was able to manage to communicate and dictated this book....He founded a charity for this condition in France and if you google it you`ll find it. Some proceeds of the book may go to this charity ....
It has been optioned to be a film with the lead role said to be going to Johnny Depp.....