58 pages • 1 hour read
Jean-Dominique BaubyThe Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby is a memoir composed of vignettes detailing his life and thoughts after a stroke left him with locked-in syndrome. Written with the aid of a special alphabet system, the memoir interweaves memories from different periods of Bauby's life with his current experiences in a hospital, alongside his imaginative musings and dreams.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jean-Dominique Bauby's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is universally praised for its poignant and eloquent depiction of life with locked-in syndrome, showcasing extraordinary resilience and poetic prose. Some readers, however, find the narrative structure disjointed. The memoir is both heart-wrenching and inspirational, offering a unique perspective on physical and emotional confinement.
Who Should Read The Diving Bell and the Butterfly?
A reader who values poignant memoirs, reflective storytelling, and profound personal journeys would enjoy Jean-Dominique Bauby's The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Comparable to Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie and Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, this book appeals to those drawn to narratives of resilience and introspection.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1140L