Italo Svevo

Italo Svevo, born Aron Hector Schmitz, was an Italian writer, businessman, and novelist, best known for his novel 'La Coscienza di Zeno' (Confessions of Zeno). Svevo wrote in the Italian language and is considered one of the foremost European novelists of the early 20th century, contributing to the genre of psychological fiction. His works explored the themes of self-deception, irony, and the complexities of human consciousness.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Confessions of Zeno

    Cover of '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.

  2. 2. Senilità

    Cover of 'Senilità' by Italo Svevo

    "Senilità" is a psychological novel that follows the life of a middle-aged man, Emilio Brentani, who falls in love with a younger woman, Angiolina, who manipulates and betrays him. Emilio's obsession with Angiolina leads him into a downward spiral of self-destruction, as he grapples with feelings of jealousy, paranoia, and self-loathing. The novel explores themes of aging, loneliness, and the human condition in modern society.

  3. 3. As A Man Grows Older

    Cover of 'As A Man Grows Older' by Italo Svevo

    The novel delves into the life of an aging, unremarkable bureaucrat who becomes entangled in a love affair with a much younger woman. As he grapples with his fading youth and the disappointments of his mediocre career, his romantic aspirations lead to a series of comic and poignant misadventures. The narrative explores themes of self-deception, the disillusionment of middle age, and the human struggle to find meaning and connection in a modern world that often seems indifferent to individual desires and fears.