This is one book that should be read after watching the film. Without visualizing what Jean-Dominique Bauby had gone through after his massive stroke, the reader simply could not empathize or appreciate enough of Bauby’s effort in ‘writing’ his memoir.
But in case you missed the theatre screening and are still waiting for the DVD to come out, you may like to read my review of the film by clicking here.
At age 43, Jean-Dominique Bauby, the editor-in-chief of France’s Elle magazine, was paralyzed after a massive stroke. The only ability left in his whole body was the blinking of his left eye. With the help of his speech therapist, he learned to communicate with the outside world by blinking to the corresponding French alphabets held in front of him.
When the physical body fails us, what elements remain that can qualify us as a human being? Our beating heart? Our brainwave? Bauby’s memoir has so poignantly shown us the two essential functions that kept his soul alive: memory and imagination. Locked-in syndrome may have encased his physical body, the butterfly within escapes to the expanse of limitless skies.
The 140-page memoir expertly translated by Jeremy Leggatt comprises of 29 personal essays, ‘written’ one blink at a time, and published shortly before his death in 1997. What is trapped inside a totally debilitated body was a vivid memory and lively imagination, that despite being confined to a hospital bed, can set free a soul that yearns for love and intimacy, a soul that still basks in the humor and pleasures of life.
No words can speak more powerfully than Bauby’s own. Here are some excerpts from his book.
Shortly before his stroke, he visited his 92 year-old father and helped him shave:
I complete my barber’s duties by splashing my father with his favorite aftershave lotion. Then we say goodbye…We have not seen each other since. I cannot quit my seaside confinement. And he can no longer descend the magnificent staircase of his apartment building on his ninety-two-year-old legs. We are both locked-in cases, each in his own way: myself in my carcass, my father in his fourth-floor apartment. Now I am the one they shave every morning…
One would never know how potent memories and the imagination can be:
Once I was a master at recycling leftovers. Now I cultivate the art of simmering memories. If it’s a restaurant, no need to book. If I do the cooking, it is always a success. The bourguignon is tender, the boeuf en gelée translucent, the apricot pie possesses just the requisite tartness. Depending on my mood I treat myself to a dozen snails, a plate of Alsatian sausage with sauerkraut, and a bottle of late-vintage golden Gewurztraminer, or else I savour a simple soft-boiled egg with fingers of toast and lightly salted butter. What a banquet!
Or how poignant the little gestures of love and intimacy are:
While I have become something of a zombie father, Theophile and Celest are very much flesh and blood, energetic and noisy. I will never tire of seeing them walk along side me, just walking, their confident expressions masking the unease weighing on their small shoulders. As he walks, Theophile dabs with a Kleenex at the thread of saliva escaping my closed lips. his movements are tentative, at once tender and fearful, as if he were dealing with an animal of unpredictable reactions. As soon as we slow down, Celeste cradles my head in her bare arms, covers my forehead with noisy kisses and says over and over, “You’re my dad, you’re my dad,” as if in incantation.
As I finished the book, I could not help but ask myself: Do I have enough ingredients to practice ‘the art of simmering memories’ if I ever needed to?
~ ~ ~ ½ Ripples
Ripple Effects 
Thanks for the review. I hadn’t planned on seeing the movie or reading the memoir, but you’ve piqued my interest!
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We almost chose this book as our “common text” for first year students at our university to read. It’s such a powerfully written piece and such an amazing feat. Thanks for the review. More people ought to read this wonderful book!
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Elizabeth: I’m sure you’ll find them both well worth your time. Thanks for stopping by.
writinggb: With the film as supplementary teaching material, I’m sure this could be turned into an inspiring unit.
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Thanks for the review. I recently read this book as part of my book club. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did and found it very approachable and suprisingly hard to put down.
I checked out your reading favorites and saw that we have several favorites in common. If you ever want to check out my reading, pop on over to my Shelfari site. I’d love to chat about books with you sometime! http://www.shelfari.com/o1517092295
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amyletinsky: Have you seen the film? I think it’s very well done and a must-see. I love both books and films, and as you browse through my blog, you’ll see I try to explore the integration of the two art forms.
I’m not familiar with shelfari, but would definitely go visit you there and check out your site. Thanks for visiting mine.
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I’ve been reading these book for years again and again, since it was published.A masterpiece full of cleverness, melancholy, energy, power, desperation, tears and fears and an advise for all of us who complain about everything without even realizing what happened to this “normal” man who, for me, has become a hero.
The movie is well done and I didn’ t really expect it could be so.Usually books are better.In this case, yes, book remains better but movie is really well made.
Sorry for mistakes.
A hug and a kiss to Jean-Do wherever he is now
Antonella – Italy
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Antonella: You’re right…we take for granted the many minute functions of our daily living, such as breathing, eating, laughing, talking … and it’s sad to know that often we need tragedies like these to call us into a more thankful mode and live life with more awareness and gratitude. Thanks for your heart-felt comments!
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I’m an eighth grade teacher…this book inspired me so much that I have turned it into a required reading teaching unit for my students. They have been totally engrossed in the reading and it has been incredibly refreshing and inspiring to see them change their point of view on life and how others are treated, and lastly to prioritize the things that are important in life—With Bauby’s incredible word choice and ability to paint beautifully reconstructed memories in my mind, I felt I had to share it with my students!!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your comment. I first saw the movie and was so moved that I bought the book to read. If time allows, I highly recommend that excerpts of the film be incorporated into your book unit, the impact would be even greater I think. But of course, screen the film first and choose the appropriate parts, since it may not fully be suitable for 8th graders. You probably would also like to read my review of the film too.
Again, I’ve appreciated your comment. I wish you all the best in inspiring your students!
Arti
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