Memories and Vagaries

Memories and Vagaries is a collection of autobiographical essays by Axel Munthe, a Swedish physician and writer. The book is divided into four parts, each containing a series of essays that reflect on different aspects of Munthe's life and experiences.In the first part, Munthe writes about his childhood and early years as a medical student in Paris. He describes his love of nature and his fascination with the human body, as well as his encounters with famous artists and writers of the time.The second part of the book focuses on Munthe's travels, including his time as a doctor in North Africa and his journeys to Italy and Greece. He shares his observations on the people and cultures he encountered, as well as his reflections on the beauty and history of these ancient lands.In the third part, Munthe writes about his life on the island of Capri, where he built a villa and lived for many years. He describes the natural beauty of the island and the friendships he formed with the locals, as well as his encounters with famous figures such as the writer Norman Douglas and the composer Richard Wagner.Finally, in the fourth part of the book, Munthe reflects on his own mortality and the passing of time. He writes about his experiences as a physician caring for the sick and dying, as well as his own struggles with illness and aging.Throughout the book, Munthe's writing is characterized by his vivid descriptions of people and places, his humor and wit, and his deep appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life.1930. More sketches and stories from the author of The Story of San Michele. Readers of that book will come across several old acquaintances in this volume, all in their same old clothes, for they have nothing else to put on their backs. My friend Archangelo Fusco, the street-sweeper of Quartier Montparnasse; the Salvatore family; Don Gaetano, the organ-grinder with his shivering monkey; and others. Contents: For Those Who Love Music; Toys from the Paris Horizon; Monsieur Alfredo; Italy in Paris; Raffaella; Mont Blanc, King of the Mountains; Menagerie; Zoology; A Cry in the Wilderness; Political Agitations in Capri; The Dogs in Capri; Soeur Philomene; When Tappio was Lost; La Madonna del Buon Cammino; Porta San Paolo; and Instead of a Preface. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.