Cover of Confession of Zeno
Read Time: ~7.6 hr

Confession of Zeno

by Italo Svevo (1985)

About this book

Long hailed as a seminal work of modernism in the tradition of Joyce and Kafka, and now available in a supple new English translation, Italo Svevo's charming and splendidly idiosyncratic novel conducts readers deep into one hilariously hyperactive and endlessly self-deluding mind. The mind in question belongs to Zeno Cosini, a neurotic Italian businessman who is writing his confessions at the behest of his psychiatrist. Here are Zeno's interminable attempts to quit smoking, his courtship of the beautiful yet unresponsive Ada, his unexpected -- and unexpectedly happy -- marriage to Ada's homely sister Augusta, and his affair with a shrill-voiced aspiring singer. -- Text refers to other edition.

Setting / LocationGlobal
Story EraModern Era
Protagonist / CoreConfession of Zeno Lead Character

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Confession of Zeno by Italo Svevo | Literally Just Books