Confessions of Zeno by Italo Svevo
"Confessions of Zeno" is a satirical, semi-autobiographical novel that follows the life of Zeno Cosini, a neurotic Italian businessman, as he tries to quit smoking. The book is presented as a diary, written at the suggestion of Zeno's psychoanalyst, and it details Zeno's thoughts on his health, his family, his business ventures, and his infatuation with a beautiful woman. Throughout the story, Zeno's attempts to quit smoking serve as a metaphor for his struggles with his personal weaknesses and his quest for self-understanding.
The 239th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 6th on Biblioteca (Argentina)
- 19th on 100 Best Novels, in Translation, Since 1900 (CounterPunch)
- 20th on The 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century (Folha de São Paulo)
- 64th on 100 Essential Books (Bravo! Magazine)
- 698th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)
- Finest Works of Fiction (Martin Seymour-Smith and Editors)
- Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers (French literary magazine Transfuge)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- Top 100 Works in World Literature (Norwegian Book Clubs, with the Norwegian Nobel Institute)