The Diving-bell and the Butterfly
12 journalers for this copy...
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.
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)
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)
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!
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.
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 Postal Release in Post office, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases on Monday, November 13, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (11/14/2006 UTC) at Postal Release in Post office, A book trading site -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Oliveoyle - the next person on the list for this bookring! Enjoy!
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.
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".
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".
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!
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.
Awaiting Macewoman's address to pass it on.
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.
Thanks OpheliaPhillips for sharing and to everyone else for passing it along.
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.
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.
Received today.
I have a few rings ahead of it
Will read as soon as I am done.
Thank you for including me!!
I have a few rings ahead of it
Will read as soon as I am done.
Thank you for including me!!
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.
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.
Posted back to OpheliaPhillips today (economy, 13-24 days).
I got back from Japan last night and this was waiting for me. Thank you Vegan Medusa for sending it back =)!
Released 16 yrs ago (5/18/2007 UTC) at
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 =)
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 =)
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.
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.
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
Book seems a good one since I almost missed my train stop on my way to work because I was reading it! ha ha
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
geschrieben via www.bookcrossers.de
Das Buch habe ich von meiner Freundin aus Helsinki/Finnland per Post erhalten. Sie hat mich zum ersten Mal auf www.bookcrossing.com aufmerksam gemacht. Ich bin gerade dabei auf diesen Seiten zu stöbern und mir einen Überblick über das System zu verschaffen. Die Idee finde ich wirklich spannend. Viel Spaß wünscht ein Bücherwurm vom Niederrhein.
CAUGHT IN MÖNCHENGLADBACH NRW GERMANY
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.
