Confessions of Zeno Summary
Italo Svevo

Confessions of Zeno Summary

Zeno is an old man undergoing psychotherapy, and his doctor has asked him to write down his memories in a journal, as part of his therapy. Zeno describes his constant search for health, his fear of death, and his regular attempts to quit smoking. Zeno tries to woo many women, but he ends up with the best of them. When Zeno is an old man and finally can let go of many of his delusions, he is caught up in World War I, which rages around his hometown of Trieste.

Zeno begins his tale with the start of his favorite vice, smoking cigarettes. He starts smoking as a child, stealing pennies or half-smoked cigars from his father and smoking them furiously. Later, his entire life, he marks every event with a Last Cigarette, determined that he is going to quit smoking, right after this cigarette.... View more of the Confessions of Zeno Summary