Italo Svevo was an Italian writer and businessman, best known for his innovative and introspective literary style, which anticipated many elements of modernist fiction. Born as Ettore Schmitz in Trieste-then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire-Svevo wrote primarily in Italian and is widely regarded as a key figure in the development of psychological narrative and introspective prose. Despite receiving little recognition in his early years, his later works, especially Zeno's Conscience, secured him a lasting place in European literary history. Svevo's literary recognition came late. His first two novels, Una vita (1892) and Senilità (1898), went largely unnoticed by the public and critics. However, his fortunes changed when he began taking English lessons from the young Irish writer James Joyce in Trieste. Recognizing Svevo's talent, Joyce encouraged him to continue writing and promoted his work in literary circles. Today, Svevo's work is recognized as an essential bridge between 19th-century realism and 20th-century modernism. His introspective style, ironic tone, and philosophical depth have influenced authors such as Italo Calvino, Primo Levi, and Samuel Beckett. Zeno's Conscience, in particular, is praised for its complex narrative structure and its candid portrayal of human contradictions. Although he remained relatively unknown for much of his life, the growing interest in modernist literature after World War I led to a reevaluation of his work. His imperfect and deeply human characters reflect the fragmented identity and moral ambiguity that would come to define much of contemporary literature.