Customer Reviews

The Story of San Michele

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I came to this strange and wonderful book without the slightest inkling of what it was about -- simply because it was in the recommended reading for many guidebooks about Italy. First and foremost, it is an autobiography of a great physician and animal lover who just happened to spend some years of his life on Capri.

Autobiographies can make for strange reading, especially when there are obvious omissions. Although Axel Munthe frequently accuses himself of being a ladies' man, there is no mention of any love interest by name or even generic description. (That reminds me of film director Josef von Sternberg's FUN IN A CHINESE LAUNDRY, where we learn in passing that the author was married because of a cryptic mention in a subordinate clause 300 pages into the book.) Also missing is any mention of Munthe's childhood, although I understand there is at least one other autobiography written by him (MEMORIES AND VAGARIES), which I have not read.

There is, however, one section that does not appear in any autobiography that I have ever seen: An anticipation of Munthe's Last Judgment in Heaven following his death, with St. Peter, Moses, Athanasius, and St. Francis joining in the discussion.

STORY OF SAN MICHELE ranges from Paris to Lapland, Rome, Naples, Calabria, and Capri. We see duels, medical cases of wealthy women with imaginary diseases, demonic housekeepers, quacks, midwives, prostitutes, victims of cholera and earthquakes, brigands, shamans, and even an alcoholic ape. Munthe is a magnificent raconteur, and his book is a joy to read and reread.

Eighty or ninety years ago, Axel Munthe was a famous doctor.

He left behind a few modest and charming reminiscences, of which "The story of the San Michele" is, in my opinion, the most interesting.

The writer deliberately leaves outsides large zones of his existence; he only highlights those pertaining to his work.

The unity of this book in which memories mingle according to his fancy, is achieved through the presence of two underlying motifs: his love for the nature of the south and the battle against death.

A cholera epedemic in Naples, an earthquake in Messina, anywhere a doctor is needed, Munthe is present.

Even in his passion for archeology, gathering ancient statues and coins, building in Capri a new home from the fragments of an illustrious past - with the architecture inspired by dreams rather than mathematics - his spirit finds a new way of celebrating the beauty of life.

The book is filled with vivid and unforgettable portraits (don Antonio the priest; Maria Porta-Lettere the messenger; Rozalia, the caretaker; Mamsell Agata, the housekeeper with the putrid smile of Lazarus; Norstrom, his friend; Madame Requin, the delinquent midwife; Arcangelo Fusco, the sweeper; the Countess and the Viscount Maurice; John, the child who never laughed - and a lot many others.

But the most interesting character is the doctor himself - because of the special quality of his humanity.

How gratifying to read the other reviews, and to learn that others have also experienced and loved this book at different times in their lives. The remarkable thing about it is how Dr. Munthe speaks to us in different ways at different ages. As a teenager, I was impressed by the passions, even though a lot of the details were above my head. In my late twenties, the way he tried to balance career and his love for San Michele was very meaningful. As a 44-year-old, I was impressed (and saddened) with the loneliness of Dr. Munthe's struggle, with really only his animals for company. While he speaks of friends, he shares little about them. And nothing about a lasting romantic involvement.

We all have our San Micheles. They may not be homes, but they are ideals toward which we strive. But for me, it exists only in my mind. Dr. Munthe was in some ways very lucky, yet also cursed, to be able to bring it to life.

The only frustrating aspect of "San Michele" is that it is, as its author notes, a fragment. I am interested to learn more of this fascinating man. Does anyone know if any biographies are in print, or in English? Thank you.

One of my favorite books, I re-read it almost once a year. It is not for everyone, it is for those who love to dream, who can be whisked away to a fantasy world by a skilled storyteller . . . for those who can be enchanted by goblins who give good advice, raven's blood in a child's milk, owls who prevent adultery, and housemaids who resemble vampires. It is for those who love animals and have their doubts about humans.

Munthe apologizes in one of his prefaces for his egotism, and certainly I can see why he would be embarrassed: he has put his dreams into print, and rarely does he himself come off badly. But only a sourpuss would object to his distortions, for his imagination has formed a work of tremendous beauty.

Munthe himself was a fascinating man, youngest doctor in the history of France, society doctor to European royalty, creator of one of the world's most beautiful houses, one of the 5 men who opened King Tut's tomb.

I love his stories about Guy de Maupassant and the opera singer who died for love of him; I love his dogs who can anticipate death; I love his dream of the dispute between the saints over his salvation ("He was a doctor" -- "Heaven is full of his patients, and hell too" -- "He loved children" -- "He loved their mothers too"), and the appearance of St Francis to save him can still make me cry.

But enough! If you will like this book, you should know it by now!

I accidentally stumbled upon this book the same day having visited the Island of Capri and wanting to have visited the Villa San Michele, but unfortunately having missed it. Needing to read something in English the Italian shopkeepers wisely had a few copies in stock. I took it as a sign that the book must be bought and read. I cannot recount how many times I had tears well up in my eyes with this simple yet profound story. I fell in love with Axel Munthe and all his colourful characters both human and animal alike. Read this book and keep it close to your heart!

After many years I hauled out an old copy (with photo's) of Axel Munthe's classic "The Story of San Michele". What a wonderful read and if you consider what this man went through, and went on to achieve its a more remarkable story than any fiction book I have ever read.
His compassion for animals as well as those humans he encountered in the tragedies of war, disease and natural disasters must have been immense.
His clarity of vision to be able to see into the human soul should be an inspiration to us all.
2 years ago I travelled to Positano in Italy and went by bus to Sorrento to make my long awaited visit to the Isle of Capri and to see the house and the artefacts within.
The weather was too rough for a crossing and my one chance of seeing Munthe's home was dashed as I had to head back to Australia the next day.
I can easily read this book in parts just for inspiration. It is a true classic of mans endeavours and what a true human being can achieve.
Munthe went blind in his latter years but it did little to deter him and his work.

It is hard to believe that a book written in 1929 would not seem dated (other than horse and buggies) but the ethics, morals, human emotions and feelings, social responsibility, etc. still hold true tody in 2001. This book, written by a great story-teller, made me laugh and cry. I know I have truly enjoyed a book when its characters stay with me. Dr. Munthe is such a charachter. Compassion, wisdom, common sense and one of the best endings I have ever read.

A story of a doctor, an animal-lover, in the late nineteenth and early 20th century. He lives through a cholera epidemic in Naples, WWI, he battles for animal rights, deals with life and death, spends time in jail, collects precious antiques and of course appreciates good food and champagne.

You will not be disappointed. You might even learn something.

How can one write a review of The Story of San Michele that comes close to doing justice to the book? There are many humorous episodes, such as The Giant and Mamsell Agata, touches of the macabre in the description of the cholera epidemic in Naples, misadventures, like the journey to Sweden accompanying a young man (then his corpse). There are also angry moments, as when his dog Tom is brutally kicked by the slimy Vicomte Maurice. Who could not be moved by the story of the boy John, who was rescued by Munthe but never lived long enough to find a loving home. It is a book that includes many memorable events in a life that was very full indeed. Many of the chapters in this book could be made into marvelous films, given the right adaptation.

The Story of San Michele is very well written, to say the least, and the many people, events and personal feelings of the author combine to make this a special adventure. Perhaps most special of all is Axel Munthe's relationship to animals that allowed him to get close, even to "wild" animals and have a special relationship with them. He was a man who held nature and all life in special regard but was pragmatic in the face of illness and death.

I have had a copy since 1988 and I have given Axel Munthe's book as a gift and been thanked for the introduction. I could not recommend this book highly enough.

My father had mentioned this book to me as a teenager. I read portions of it then, but have always wanted to read it in full. Finally, I found a paperback edition and found an absorbing and thought stimulating book. Dr. Munthe's care of the sick, his love of animals and the characters he describes, all will stay in my memory. This is not a book that you read once. I plan to read it again and again. Hopefully I will be able to visit Villa St. Michele some day and see the beauty of the place that he saw. I hope to find a bound edition with the photographs.

I was introduced to this charming book by my mother over 30 years ago, and have in turn introduced it to my wife and daughter. It has gone through hundreds of editions in countless languages and is still being read by those lucky enough to discover it.