Rabih Alameddine's 'An Unnecessary Woman' introduces Aaliya Saleh, a reclusive seventy-two-year-old Beiruti woman who has spent her life translating literary masterpieces from English, French, and German into Arabic, though none of her translations have ever been published. Her days are filled with the quiet rhythm of reading, translating, and reflecting on literature, memory, and the tumultuous history of her city. The novel is a poignant, humorous, and deeply intellectual exploration of a woman's inner life, her profound connection to books, and the solace found in the solitary pursuit of knowledge amidst a chaotic world. It's a love letter to literature and a testament to the enduring power of the written word, recognized with the 2016 Prix Femina Étranger.