The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
by Jean-Dominique Bauby.
This inspiring book received universal approval from the group.
Inevitably the discussion concerned the circumstances of its writing as much as the book itself.
The unarguably supreme virtue of the work is its brevity which was commended by all.
The writing of the book was clearly laborious and sadly Bauby did not live to see its great success but he has left a remarkable testament to the fact that he was certainly far from being a “complete vegetable”.
His intellect and his imagination survived intact despite his physical immobility and his recollections and flights of fancy are moving and enthralling.
There are moments of humour and insights into the less than perfect behaviour of some of those who are supposed to be caring.
There is, however, no self-pity.
There is acceptance and a clear determination to complete this beautifully written piece of work.
NS
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