The Forty Rules of Love

I loved this story. Poetically written, pieces of wisdom dotted through the book and within the story itself. The author masterfully links the 2 stories that we are reading concurrently. It's a love story, a spiritual journey and a mystical tale all in one.Even though I am a Muslim, I am unfamiliar with Sufism, this tale was an interesting introduction to Sufi beliefs. Although this book, hasn't influenced me in a religious way, I have a deep appreciation for the story and all the complexity of love and life it described, infact at some points I thought the author took a look into my own head and put my thoughts/experiences down on paper. Her insights and words of wisdom make this story one of my most highlighted books! Looking forward to reading more of her stories on the not too distant future!

Absolutely loved it. I was initially skeptical about reading this book as the writer is known for being geared towards female readers, particularly this book. However I was pleasantly surprised and was unable to put this book this down. Without ruining the spoilers, in a nutshell this book follows 2 different time sequences, one set in Konya close a millennium back in time during the era of the Sufi Mawlana, Rumi, and the other set in 21st century United States about a house wife and her relationships with other members of her house hold. It kind of reads like a book within a book, similar to how in certain films u have the concept of a film within a film. The book begins with Ella the main character reading a manuscript sent to her by a magazine to review it, the manuscript sent to her is the story off the Shams of Tabriz and his relationship with the legendary Rumi, in the process she develops a bond off sorts with the writer of the manuscript. So essentially a book within a book. Such a concept is unique to me. This book was recommended to me by some one one I know and I for one will any day recommend it. For those with the misconception that this book has to do with romantic love or love between a man and a woman, it is far from it.

“A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western…Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple. Love is a water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire. the universe turns itself different when fire loves water.”Ella is a housewife living in the suburbs of Massachusetts living a seemingly perfect, but a loveless life with a cheating husband and no identity of her own. She gets a chance to break her monotony the she gets a chance to review a manuscript, “Sweet Blasphemy”, written by a maverick sufi, Aziz Zahara based one the teachings on Shams of Tabriz and his companionship with the celebrated poet, Rumi. Sham’s and Rumi’s story, “Sweet Blasphemy”, runs in parallel to that of Ella and Aziz. Ella begins correspondence with the writer of the book and he makes her realise what she has always been missing in her life; love and the ability to live in the present without the fear of the future. But will this realisation liberate her, or completely shake the foundations of her world; just as what happened with Rumi when he met Shams.This book is essentially about love. And by love, Shams didn’t mean just the love between a man and a woman. It’s the love that surrounds us which could be in any form; the love of man for God or the love of man for self. Life would be meaningless without love. I really liked how the author included the teachings of Shams in the narrative; it is evident from the title that the book is about his forty rules; but the way it has been included in the narrative is a masterpiece of writing. What is also beautiful is the relationships in the book; that of Rumi and Shams and also Ella and Aziz. They are bound by ties of love that doesn’t need a definition. The author’s masterstroke was to include the story of Shams and Rumi from different perspectives; from that of a begger to that of a prostitute.This book has a lot of elements of Sufi philosophy; so it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But the message of the book is universal and hence appealing.

Very happy with Elif Shafaks novels. Though provoking.

Loved the premise and was interesting to read about sufi Muslims, and their struggles within the context of this fictionalised account. Just wasn't sure about the ending.

Beautiful book. A must read.Love, life, trust, hope, this book ponders on the essential human emotions and our flawed condition inside a tale of spirituality and humanity.

So much praise for the astonishing accomplished writing of this extraordinary person. I have never been more pleasantly surprised at Elif Shafak’s ability to convey the history and the personal perspectives of the people that she writes about. I have truly never encountered an author who has impressed me as much as Elif Shafak has.

Average reading

Gran libro

I have read this couple of times and even gave this book as a gift to few forneds of mine. Very good read!

História dentro da estória. Adorável difícil parar de ler

The third most beautifully written book that I have ever read. And the second most spiritually awakening book that I have ever read. I have a weakness for Sufi literature and philosophy anyway. A definite recommendation!

Ein sehr schönes und schön geschriebenes Buch von dieser Autorin, das ich gerade entdeckt habe.