The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Rating:
Summary: Suffocating!
Review: This book was like being underwater.... with no life support. Death was a blessing.

Rating:
Summary: Great book - quick read.
Review: This short book is easy to read. However, it took an extraordinary effort to write it. Reading it is a humbling and insightful experience. We read of how a man lost all function, except one eyelid. And despite being seemingly imprisoned in a paralyzed body, he still had an active and free mind. Most of the book tells of how he escaped the drudgery of his overall condition and daily routine by traveling the highways of memories within his mind. He not only reflected on life, but continued to live as best as he could. I am thankful that Mr. Bauby shared his experience w/ others. I found it to be humbling, uplifting and humorous reading.

Rating:
Summary: The most beautiful book I've ever read
Review: The Diving Bell and The Butterfly is a dead-on honest book by a man facing an extreme situation unimaginable to most of us, and probably a biggest fear of most of us. Yet Mr. Bauby produces a book (the process of which alone being remarkable) that is beautiful, lyrical and completely without sentimentality. It is my favorite book. I have given many copies to numerous friends and will continue to do so.