Group Read, December 2023: Zeno’s Conscience

Our group read for December is Zeno’s Conscience by Italo Svevo. Please join in the read and post any comments on this thread.

I started reading this last night and am surprised by how much I am enjoying this. I don't really like the character of Zeno, but Svevo's writing has me wanting to know what he has to say.

It looks like there is a new "highly readable translation" that was made for the 100th anniversary this year. I don't think my audio edition is that new translation, but I am still finding it quite readable. It's frustrating that they never seem to list the translator in the description of the book on Audible or wherever you are getting the audio book. (I just listened to the translator's introduction, which is at the end of the audio, and it is not the new translation). Amazon has the new translation available on Kindle Unlimited if anyone is interested (in the US).

I've been reading this and enjoying it. It's a little bit like Thomas Bernhard but much less bitter and quite amusing. Zeno is such a goofy character. Sometimes you don't quite know whether to be horrified at his choices or entertained by them. He certainly has a distinctive voice!

Well, I was about 2/3 through this book before I lost my copy. Where did it go? I have no idea but I shall count it as read. It was good fun but not really outstanding.