One of the best books in the world. Mr Bauby was the editor of French Elle magazine when he had a massive stroke leaving him with a paralysis so severe he was only able to communicate by opening and closing one eye. And that’s how he dictated this book. The book is beautifully and at times humorously written, and a s a result is poignant and uplifting rather than depressing. The book is a masterpiece, but also, in the writing of it, Mr Bauby found himself to be a better, more honest person than he thought.