Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman

Perhaps not as psychologically compelling and taut as some of Zweig's other work, this novella is still worth reading for it's fine writing. At a hotel in Monte Carlo in the days after World War I, a group of wealthy travelers are shocked to learn that a married woman of their set has suddenly left her husband and family on the arms of a seducer whom she has known less then twenty-four hours. Each guest chimes in with their opinion of the woman's extraordinary behavior. Our narrator expresses his understanding of the woman's actions while the others vehemently condemn the lady. Suddenly he finds himself the confidante of an older woman who is in the group. She tells him the tale of how twenty years earlier she too had been drawn to an intense younger man who she observed in the casino one evening. Zweig explores the motivations and the ramifications of a sudden act of passion.

The two themes of this book. Two emotions hard to describe unless one has felt them. What a good writer Zweig is.

I can barely find words to properly describe the intensity of this story. So much eloquence, it's truly dazzling! It's drenched in emotions, but also a lesson on careful writing - words are not wasted, even through all the usual luxuriousness of Zweig's writing. It is a vigorous narrative of which I could not take my eyes away long enough to realize I was not in Monte Carlo watching the hands of gamblers move through green cloth. This story will stay with me, and I look forward to reading much more from Zweig than what I already have.

This is a wonderful book, well written by an author that understands the complexities of the human mind. I recommend it strongly

An incredible journey into a woman’s soul and how we hide things from ourselves and one day we finally let go

A rich widow, after W1, loses her heart to a charming gambler at Monte and broods abt it for the next 20 years. Old-fashioned and not very perceptive. Zweig settles for schmaltz. He doesnt believe his own fable and neither do we.

A humanist tries to help a young man coming to account for his gambling addiction.

very endearing.

This was my first Stefan Zweig and I really enjoyed it. It's a simple novella where an old woman tells about a day of her life to a complete stranger just to get it off her chest after all those years. It's a queer day she had and I found it really enjoyable to read about.The way it was written was very intriguing, inviting the reader to turn the pages and learned about that day. It was packed with insight, emotion and very nice descriptions. I thought the translation by Anthea Bell was superb as well.Definitely recommended if you like this kind of premises.

I love the books of Stefan Zweig and this short story doesn't disappoint.

How does one man have such incredible perception about human nature? Brilliant storyteller and great wordsmith. I would thoroughly recommend.

Every Stefan Zweig novella is enchanting, gripping and a story perfectly related. Sweig has a deep psychological understanding regardless of gender. Moving, sensitive narratives that capture the imagination and take you deep into the heart of the story

Wonderful novella. Easily read at one sitting. I'm going to buy more. I don't know why he fell out of favour. Time for a reappraisal.Highly recommended