The Story of San Michele by Axel Munthe

(read aloud)

This is a long autobiography written in an old style. It is very self-referential of course, and quite uneven and episodic. It is often a series of stories, some so amazing as to tempt disbelief. However I think it is all true, and certainly the medical parts seem solidly believable. Those reservations aside, this is an amazing book about an amazing man who lived at a time of ferment and turmoil. He lived at the center of civilization of his time, in Paris and Rome. He associated with the giants of his time, Pasteur, Charcot, and others. He was doctor to royalty and the very rich, but had a special heart, even a love, for the poor, the simple, the peasant. Nothing surpassed his love for animals. He worked bravely through rabies attacks, earthquakes and cholera epidemics; describing himself as terrified he belied this by his obvious bravery and unrelenting efforts to help the most hopeless situations imaginable. He was proud of his unbelief but often his actions spoke more of a deep faith.

He had perhaps what we would call "burnout" and moved to Anacapri and built a mansion, lived with simple people he loved and understood, and built a bird sanctuary and had his own menagerie at his home.

His views of medicine and his closing chapters about the approach of his own death are outstanding.

This is a long book, some parts are better than others but the willing reader who can understand the "romantic" writing style will be greatly rewarded in the reading.