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ebokhyllami's review against another edition
5.0
Komplett omtale ligger her:
http://ebokhyllami.blogspot.no/2012/11/bokomtale-en-overfldig-kvinne-av-rabih.html
http://ebokhyllami.blogspot.no/2012/11/bokomtale-en-overfldig-kvinne-av-rabih.html
spauffwrites's review
3.0
Aaliyah lives alone, surrounded by books. Separated from her family and shunning the people around her, she spends her days translating books into Arabic that no one will read. A bit cantankerous, she insists she is fine with her life, but as her past is revealed, the portrait that emerges is one of loneliness. The writing is beautiful, in a confessional, meandering sort of way. The scenes with Aaliyah's mother and Hannah are particularly heart-wrenching. My favorite characters were the "three witches" — the women that live above Aaliyah and eventually become her friends, helping to save her precious books. This is a novel that is more about characters than plot, more about poetic writing than story, and good for those who enough books about books.
sumsumterp's review
5.0
I loved this book.
If you are a lover of literature, classical music, streams of consciousness, or just adore gorgeous writing, you should read this book. Also, if you enjoy discussions of the intricacies of translation, you should read this book. I almost never read books more than once, but this will be an exception.
If you are a lover of literature, classical music, streams of consciousness, or just adore gorgeous writing, you should read this book. Also, if you enjoy discussions of the intricacies of translation, you should read this book. I almost never read books more than once, but this will be an exception.
bahoulie's review
5.0
Not sure why I ever put this book down. It is wonderful. So many memorable sentences.
taylorthiel's review
5.0
Probably a 4.5 but I’m rounding up.
The very first thing I want to address is a review that said that the narrator was condescending. I could not disagree more. Yes, a lot of name dropping of the canon. But I didn’t feel like a came from needing to claim superiority, I feel like it came from a place of genuine insecurity. Aaliya spent the entire book trying to prove she had value. Truly, I felt sorry for her in her self-imposed isolation. Which made the ending all the more satisfying. The motivation rambling also made sense to me in regard to. Aaliya’s age. It makes sense that an old woman would spend time reminiscing on her life, and that she also might get distracted.
But maybe I’m just the target market for a book about an OCD 72 year old Arab woman.
The final sentiments of female friendship and the love of literature and the arts is what made this book for me. It was also comforting as someone who could see herself become Aaliya that there are people who will see my life’s work, and see value in it. And who will encourage me to share that work.
I found the whole thing deeply moving.
The very first thing I want to address is a review that said that the narrator was condescending. I could not disagree more. Yes, a lot of name dropping of the canon. But I didn’t feel like a came from needing to claim superiority, I feel like it came from a place of genuine insecurity. Aaliya spent the entire book trying to prove she had value. Truly, I felt sorry for her in her self-imposed isolation. Which made the ending all the more satisfying. The motivation rambling also made sense to me in regard to. Aaliya’s age. It makes sense that an old woman would spend time reminiscing on her life, and that she also might get distracted.
But maybe I’m just the target market for a book about an OCD 72 year old Arab woman.
The final sentiments of female friendship and the love of literature and the arts is what made this book for me. It was also comforting as someone who could see herself become Aaliya that there are people who will see my life’s work, and see value in it. And who will encourage me to share that work.
I found the whole thing deeply moving.
scarletohhara's review
5.0
Getting to see into Aaliya’s thoughts and taking the 2-3 day journey with her as she goes about her day and the unfortunate circumstances thrown at her was a gift, a gift for any lover of books or literature. Aaliya is a powerhouse of knowledge about books, authors and music composers and I couldn’t keep up with all the references she throws as she muses through her day. Her first person account of the Lebanese civil war; her love letter to Beirut; her reminiscing about the changes in the city; along with her relationship on her neighbors, the three witches - these make for a very rich read.
I am thankful to Alameddine for creating Aaliya - I want to end up like Aaliya, a happier version of her at least - rich in book references, still unwilling to forming deeper friendships with people I’ve known for decades, caring enough to keep tabs on these people and hopeful with plans for future even at an advanced age.
I am thankful to Alameddine for creating Aaliya - I want to end up like Aaliya, a happier version of her at least - rich in book references, still unwilling to forming deeper friendships with people I’ve known for decades, caring enough to keep tabs on these people and hopeful with plans for future even at an advanced age.
nlbullock1's review
2.0
Started to read, but didn't love the story and there was some offensive material (at least to me), so pulled the plug about 1/3 of the way through the book.
meganpalmer731's review
4.0
What a fascinating portrait of a woman today in Beirut. So much of old culture and new trying to co-exist in a complex character--I loved her love of books and everything she discussed in her translation process. I struggle with no chapters or real division to the book, but it didn't take much away from a very interesting read.
kathleenww's review against another edition
5.0
This is a wonderful book! I absolutely loved the voice of Aaliyah, and her reminisces and thoughts on life. Living in an apartment in war torn Beirut, she spends most of her days reading and translating the books she loves. Estranged from her family and semi-reclusive, she has little contact with neighbors or friends, and considers herself to be a solitary creature. She slowly unravels the story of her life for the reader.
This is a book for readers. This is a book for everyone! Wonderful, heartbreaking, and inspiring, this is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2015. I really admire Mr Alameddine, he does an amazing job shaping a wonderful, believable, and ultimately lovable character.
This is a book for readers. This is a book for everyone! Wonderful, heartbreaking, and inspiring, this is definitely one of my favorite reads of 2015. I really admire Mr Alameddine, he does an amazing job shaping a wonderful, believable, and ultimately lovable character.
palsbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
Aaliya Saleh, a 72 year old divorced woman, living alone in her Beirut appartment, has spent the past fifty years translating books from English and French to Arabic. Aaliya has been living a life of a hermit since her short-lived marriage, devoid of any social obligations, completely immersed in the literary world.
"I am my family's appendix, its unnecessary appendage."
"I long ago abandoned myself to a blind lust for the written word. Literature is my sandbox. In it I play, build my forts and castles, spend glorious time. It is the world outside that box that gives me trouble. I have adapted tamely, though not conventionally, to this visible world so I can retreat without much inconvenience into my inner world of books. Transmuting this sandy metaphor, if literature is my sandbox, then the real world is my hourglass- an hourglass that drains grain by grain. Literature gives me life, and life kills me."
Basically, there is no plot! It's just Aaliya going about her days, musing over past and present, casually throwing giant literary refrences(I'll admit some that I've never even heard of!) and being sarcastically opinionated (the humour!) She has strong opinions on literature, American authors, religion, Lebanese civil war, family, men, marriage and life, but that's the thing, nothing that comes out of her mouth is unnecessary! She'll have your undivided attention right from the beginning, and after a point it felt like listening to a podcast.
A must read for all the literary enthusiast (especially the classics), but again for everyone who has ever felt that they don't fit in the social template, who find themselves as a bystander in this thing called life!
5
Aaliya Saleh, a 72 year old divorced woman, living alone in her Beirut appartment, has spent the past fifty years translating books from English and French to Arabic. Aaliya has been living a life of a hermit since her short-lived marriage, devoid of any social obligations, completely immersed in the literary world.
"I am my family's appendix, its unnecessary appendage."
"I long ago abandoned myself to a blind lust for the written word. Literature is my sandbox. In it I play, build my forts and castles, spend glorious time. It is the world outside that box that gives me trouble. I have adapted tamely, though not conventionally, to this visible world so I can retreat without much inconvenience into my inner world of books. Transmuting this sandy metaphor, if literature is my sandbox, then the real world is my hourglass- an hourglass that drains grain by grain. Literature gives me life, and life kills me."
Basically, there is no plot! It's just Aaliya going about her days, musing over past and present, casually throwing giant literary refrences(I'll admit some that I've never even heard of!) and being sarcastically opinionated (the humour!) She has strong opinions on literature, American authors, religion, Lebanese civil war, family, men, marriage and life, but that's the thing, nothing that comes out of her mouth is unnecessary! She'll have your undivided attention right from the beginning, and after a point it felt like listening to a podcast.
A must read for all the literary enthusiast (especially the classics), but again for everyone who has ever felt that they don't fit in the social template, who find themselves as a bystander in this thing called life!
5