Italo Svevo

William Weaver

After being advised by his doctor to write his memoirs as a form of therapy, Zeno sets out in search of truth, health, and happiness.

Zeno's Conscience

A Novel

donna 

this book depicts the perfect mix of self-delusion and honesty that is the curse of most people who try to think and reflect on their habits, only to be tricked by their thoughts and habits over and over again. do we own our thoughts or do they own us?

italo svevo has given us a character in his protagonist, zeno, who is often erratic, detestable and self centered. it would be nice to say that zeno is, despite his faults, still loveable. i greatly disliked his character. his first person narrative was that of a person whom i would not like to know. despite all my frustrations, i needed to discover what the outcome of zenos dishonesty, muddled thinking, self centeredness, selfishness, manipulating, rationalizing and irresponsibility would be. 

this is a book i would hand a man in order to give him the same sensation of a psychedelic trip that opens his psyche to his horribleness, “this book is a man”.