The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Summary (from the publisher): This memoir was literally composed with a blink of an eye. By turns mischievous, angry, and wistful, the former editor French iElle/i shares the joys and sadness that crept over him when he became afflicted with a disease that left his entire body paralyzed -- except for his left eye, which he learned to use with a blinking alphabet to communicate with the rest of the world. iThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly/i is an unforgettable account of Bauby's own determination to live as fully in his mind as he had been able to in his body.

Review: Saw the film based on this memoir a year ago and knew I had to read it. It's incredibly moving to consider that every word was constructed through eye blinks, the only movement Bauby was capable of after suffering a massive stroke that left him with "locked-in syndrome" I can't imagine how tragic it must feel to be imprisoned in one's on body, but Bauby's spirit still managed to overcome his fate in order to compose his memoirs. Definitely made me stop and think about how fortunate most of us are just to have our health.

Stars: 4