Super Short Summary

An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine follows 72-year-old Aaliya Saleh, a reclusive woman in Beirut, as she navigates growing older, reflects on a life filled with literature, and deals with her estranged family's sudden intrusion. Over the course of the novel, Aaliya finds solace in her translations and the unexpected support of her nosy neighbors, culminating in a renewed sense of connection and purpose. The story includes references to suicide and feelings of loneliness.