Italo Svevo
1923
Around 430 pages
Zeno doesn't have a conscience. There, I just saved you a good deal of time. Use it wisely, to plant a tree or acquaint yourself with Taylor Swift's discography.
Zeno is ordered by his psychiatrist to write his memoirs in order to get over his various diagnoses. The doctor decides to publish the memoirs as revenge for Zeno discontinuing his visits. Sounds like he was in a great position to give advice. Anyway, Zeno battles a cigarette addiction and has a complicated relationship with his father. He tries to court three sisters: Ada, Augusta, and Alberta. He cheats on his wife. Fairly normal male behavior.
This novel is segmented in its structure, with each section focusing on a certain theme. For me, his disastrous attempts at romancing Ada, then Alberta, then Augusta, were the most entertaining moments. I also liked that their other sister, Anna, knew what was up.
I thought Zeno was a great narrator. He had a way of making it known he was being laughed at, but still making it clear he thought he was being charming. So if you can suffer Zeno, it's worth reading.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Svevo was a close friend of James Joyce. Gross.
UP NEXT: A Passage to India by E.M. Forster.
2 comments:
"Fairly normal male behavior." Your takes crack me up and I love your zingers. This blog has really helped me in deciding which of the 1001 to focus on :)
So glad I can make you smile! Thanks for reading! So you're just working on the 1001 book list?
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