Journal Entry 1 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 04, 2006

This is the memoir of a French man, in his forties, who was the editor of Elle. He had a stroke and the result of this left him completely paralysed apart from one eyelid with which he communicated with the world. The book is about his experience in the hospital, and locked inside his own body. It's a very interesting read and quite scary to put yourself in his place and imagine how you would cope in that situation. I don't know whether I'd class it as one of the greatest books of our time as all the cover quotes seem to be very keen to say, but it is worth a look. 

Journal Entry 2 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 04, 2006

I have offered this up as a bookring. Whilst it is still running, I will add new people, so just pm me if you want to join.

1. Opheliaphillips - UK
2. Isisjem - UK
3. Oliveoyle - UK
4. Mallary - France
5. lftt - Portugal
6. Macewoman - USA
7. Acountkel - USA

Extended list =)
8. Veganmedusa - New Zealand
~ Opheliaphillips - UK (back home)
 

Journal Entry 3 by isisjem from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Received in this mornings post from OpheliaPhillips. I'll finish what I'm reading and start on it next - of course I might just get tempted to start on it anyway! 

Journal Entry 4 by isisjem from Oxford, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 11, 2006

I first heard of this book from my sister in law. I was with her in a little bookshop when she bought a copy in hardback and after she read it she raved about it. I'd wanted to read it ever since (and she let someone else have her copy and never got it back!).

The most amazing thing about this book is the fact it was written by someone with locked-in syndrome and that it was dictated by the blink of an eye.

I'm not sure I agree that it's "one of the greatest books of the century" as the cover quotes - but it is a testament to life - and finding the amazing in the ordinary. We should never take life as we know it for granted.

Off to Oliveoyle - hopefully on Monday. 

Journal Entry 5 by isisjem at Mail in Mailed to another BookCrosser, A Book Swap! -- Controlled Releases on Monday, November 13, 2006

Released 6 yrs ago (11/14/2006 UTC) at Mail in Mailed to another BookCrosser, A Book Swap! -- Controlled Releases

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RELEASE NOTES:

Sent to Oliveoyle - the next person on the list for this bookring! Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 6 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Got it! I can't wait to read this because I've heard so much about it. I'm finishing another one off at the moment so I'll start this as soon as I've finished that. 

Journal Entry 7 by oliveoyle from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, November 23, 2006

What an amazing book and what an amazing man. Everything about this book is incredible, from the way it was written to the way it makes you feel. The chapters are short but each made me stop and think for a good while after. The writing style is beautiful, heart-rending and powerful. But it doesn't preach or oversentimentalise - it's just a relation of the facts. A fabulous book that makes you truly thankful for what you do have and forces you to look at life in a different way. Thank you for the opportunity to read it OpheliaPhillips!

It's now on its way to Mallery. Hope you enjoy it. 

Journal Entry 8 by Mallary from Ginestas, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Thanks olivoyle, I can't wait to read this! 

Journal Entry 9 by Mallary from Ginestas, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Thursday, December 14, 2006

I have posted the book to lftt in Portugal.
Hope you enjoy it lftt.

I was saddened to read the author died two days after his book was published. I thought the book was very thought-provoking and was an incredible insight into "Locked-In Syndrome". 

Journal Entry 10 by Ligiafteixeira from Mira, Coimbra Portugal on Saturday, January 06, 2007

Arrived yesterday! Thanks for the beautiful postcard, mallary, I loved it!I also do postcrossing ;) I had never heard about this book before, I liked its title and Ophelia's JE and decided to join. Now, I can't wait to read it! Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 11 by Ligiafteixeira from Mira, Coimbra Portugal on Monday, February 26, 2007

Finished it last night! I don't think it's one of the greatest books of the century, but it certainly is a book worth reading and reflect upon. I had never heard about the "Locked-In Syndrome" and it's admirable how can someone keep such a clarity of mind about such a radical change in his life and the world around him. Thanks for the opportunity, Ophelia!
Awaiting Macewoman's address to pass it on. 

Journal Entry 12 by macewoman from Winston Salem, North Carolina USA on Thursday, March 08, 2007

This amazing little book arrived safe and sound in my mailbox today. I'm really looking forward to reading it, but first I have to finish a couple of rings/rays before I get to start. It should be back in the mail shortly.
Thanks OpheliaPhillips for sharing and to everyone else for passing it along. 

Journal Entry 13 by macewoman from Winston Salem, North Carolina USA on Friday, March 23, 2007

Yesterday at work, I was thrilled to find this little book in my purse. I managed to leave the house without my current read and I was going nuts trying to find something.
As long as I kept uppermost in my mind that the story was written by someone with locked-in syndrome, then what I was reading was amazing, but the moment I forgot then I wanted more information. Like a previous BCer, I'm not sure that I agree that this is the greatest book of the century, but it is touching and a reminder that life can change in the blink of an eye.
Bauby's ability to describe the whole experience of eating a particular meal or traveling to another country is incredible. It does teach each of us to savor each experience to the fullest.
Thanks, OpheliaPhillips, for sharing this lovely book and to everyone else for sending it on.
I've PMed Acountkel and as soon as I have the address I'll send it on.
3/20/07 - In the mail and on its way. 

Journal Entry 14 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Monday, March 26, 2007

Received today.
I have a few rings ahead of it
Will read as soon as I am done.

Thank you for including me!! 

Journal Entry 15 by acountkel from Charlotte, North Carolina USA on Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Quite frankly, this was just not my type of book. I definitely feel compassion for Bauby. I think it is absolutely amazing he was able to dictate a book in this condition. I am not familiar with "locked in syndrome" and I admire Bauby for his determination under these dire circumstances. However, I am not a big fan of a book where the focus is more on metaphors and writing style. I think it takes away from the emotion that can be projected to the reader. It is a possibility Bauby hid behind the words and phrases and I do not blame him for this. This book just wasn't able to leave that big of an impression on me. I feel bad about that but not guilty.

Thank you for including me. Even though I didn't really like this book I am glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Pm'd the next reader for their address. 

Journal Entry 16 by VeganMedusa from Invercargill, Southland New Zealand on Thursday, April 26, 2007

This arrived this morning, thanks acountkel. It looks like I'll have it finished by tonight. Will PM OpheliaPhillips and see whether she wants it back now. 

Journal Entry 17 by VeganMedusa from Invercargill, Southland New Zealand on Thursday, April 26, 2007

This book didn't really do much for me. I have sympathy for the author, but I didn't particularly like him, which makes it hard to appreciate the book! Thanks OpheliaPhillips anyway for an interesting read. 

Journal Entry 18 by VeganMedusa from Invercargill, Southland New Zealand on Thursday, May 03, 2007

Posted back to OpheliaPhillips today (economy, 13-24 days). 

Journal Entry 19 by OpheliaPhillips from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 17, 2007

I got back from Japan last night and this was waiting for me. Thank you Vegan Medusa for sending it back =)! 

Journal Entry 20 by OpheliaPhillips at By mail in By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 18, 2007

Released 6 yrs ago (5/18/2007 UTC) at By mail in By mail, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

Sending this to a friend in Finland. Hope she finds it interesting. After she's read it, it's up to her whether she would like to keep it or pass it on =) 

Journal Entry 21 by saarahoo from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Only received this book by mail yesterday (quite unexpectedly I might add) so haven't had a chence to read it yet but I am looking forward to doing just that. 

Journal Entry 22 by saarahoo from Helsinki, Uusimaa Finland on Friday, June 01, 2007

A man paralised from head to toe with only an eye to communicate his thoughts to the world with, I wasn't expecting laughs. I didn't get those either but it wasn't quite as depressing as I expected. I have to say I would not call it one of the greatest books of our time (or what ever the cover claimed), I was left with a lot of questions about the condition and whether he made any progress in the end. I do realize he did die soon after the book came out but still. I'll pass this on to my friend Anne who so far has only heard of bookcrossing. 

Journal Entry 23 by ZZI-398312 on Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Still reading the book but I wanted to come here and register myself and the book. :) Seems like a very good one though. I got this book from a friend who's a member and I plan on sending this to a pen pal who I know adores books and if she isn't a member already, is likely to join book crossing.

Book seems a good one since I almost missed my train stop on my way to work because I was reading it! ha ha 

Journal Entry 24 by ZZI-398312 on Friday, June 15, 2007

I'm sending this now to my friend in Germany and hope that she'll register it here. :) Was a great book and well worth reading. 

Journal Entry 25 by Lilyblue from Mönchengladbach, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Thursday, June 21, 2007

Journal Entry 26 by muffintier from Oer-Erkenschwick, Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany on Saturday, June 23, 2007

I got the book from my friend and pal who lives in Moenchengladbach and I plan to read it first.