Zeno's Conscience is a novel written by Italian author Italo Svevo, first published in 1923. The story is presented as a series of confessions by the protagonist, Zeno Cosini, who reflects on his life, relationships, and struggles with addiction, particularly to smoking. The narrative explores themes of self-deception, the complexity of human behavior, and the challenges of personal change. The novel is notable for its stream-of-consciousness style and psychological depth, influencing modern literature. Zeno's Conscience is often regarded as a precursor to later works by authors like James Joyce and Virginia Woolf, who also experimented with narrative techniques and character introspection.