Saxbys Book Club Discussion Questions: An Unnecessary Woman

We had such a blast talking about this month’s Saxbys Book Club book, An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine! If you didn’t have a chance to join us in person or on Twitter, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the discussion questions below:

1. What’s your first impression of the narrator, Aaliya? Do you think she’s likable? Do you sympathize with her?

2. Aaliya has a complicated relationship with her family. Do you think her feelings about her brother & mother are justified?

3. Aaliya loves books, but she thinks her translations are useless and that her literary pursuits are fruitless. So why do you think she sticks with it?

4. Let’s talk about Hannah. Why do you think she was so important to Aaliya? Do you think Aaliya’s over what happened?

5. Where you surprised by Aaliya’s relationship with Ahmad? What do you think bound them together?

6. Why do you think Aaliya avoids interacting with the three women in her building?

7. Beirut plays such an important role in the story. Why do you think Aaliya stays there?

8. Do you think the book ended with some resolution? What were your thoughts on the book overall?

The Saxbys team was really split about this month’s Book Club pick – some of us loved it, and some of us barely got through it! We could all agree that Aaliya’s musings on literature were a bit over our heads. But we all found it interesting to hear a different perspective from a place we know little about. What did you think?