Axel Munthe (1857-1949) was a Swedish physician, psychiatrist, and writer, renowned for his adventurous life and evocative prose. Known for his major work, The Story of San Michele, he always demonstrated a fascination and a particular attachment to Naples and Capri.
As a writer, Munthe distinguished himself with a humanitarian, ironic, and sometimes dreamy style, in which he recounted his experiences as a philanthropist who cared for the poor, his psychiatric investigations, and his love of nature and animals. In addition to his masterpiece, San Michele, he wrote sketches and letters (La città dolente, Colonnese 2022) and works that reflect his passion for animals, calling for the protection of migratory birds. His writing reflects a charismatic and complex personality, torn between the harsh reality of human suffering and the pursuit of ideal beauty.
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