Rating: 
Summary: A book from dreamland
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Best book a human can write
Review: A book abaut a real human, who forgets abaut himself,when others need help,human with a big heart and an open soul,this is a bible of our times.Please,republish this book, i cannot find it to buy,i want my daughter to read it! I've read this book in lithuanian,i'm Lithuanian.
Rating: 
Summary: Read it Again
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Enthralling!!!
Review: An insightful and compassionate view of the human condition. I want a dog soon!
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Book to Cherish
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Many-Times-in-a-Lifetime Book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A gem of inspiration
Review: 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!
| 
