The Forty Rules of Love: A Novel of Rumi

by Elif Shafak

Book Overview

In this lyrical, exuberant tale, acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak, author of The Island of Missing Trees (a Reese's Book Club Pick), incarnates Rumi's timeless message of love

The Forty Rules of Love unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives--one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz--that together explore...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143118528
• ISBN13: 9780143118527
• Release Date: April 2011
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The Forty Rules of Love

The best book I've read in a long time. The Author is brillant. I could not put the book down. Religon. Love has no boundries in culture or time Religon is of the heart and God is always within us. Excellent reading

Rumi's (Mevlana's) philosophy

If you want to learn about mysticism and Rumi, this is a perfect book for you. In the essence, all religions and spiritual teachings are based on love. Only people changed them to use religion for their interests. This book successfully emphasizes LOVE..Unconditional love..Loving GOD, loving your friend,loving your lover, loving flowers, loving cats etc..There is no limit to LOVE..without criticism..do not offend people and never get offended in any case..These are few of Rumi's teachings that can make a person happy and peaceful.One of the readers talked about how he disliked the book because of the love story that is told throughout the book. But this is Rumi..Nothing is less important and no one kind of love is superior to another kind of love. But i will not criticize him as criticizing and judging is totally contrary to the Rumi's teachings.I respect him and i am sure he has some kind point that matters to himself.

A deft weaving of two complex stories

Shafak's third novel is an emotional, thoughtful journey. First we meet Ella, a suburban housewife whose "normal" is changed forever by her encounter with a book and a book's author. Then, as we read the book with Ella, we meet the wandering dervish Shams and the scholar Rumi. The story of Rumi and Shams is told from multiple viewpoints; the chapter title tells you who is speaking. Rumi, Shams, Desert Rose the Harlot, Kerra the wife of Rumi, Suleiman the Drunk, Kimya the girl who falls in love with Shams... and others. The multiple viewpoints give depth and layering to an already complex structure, but Shafak maintains clarity throughout. Spirituality, more specifically the question "What is true spiritual love?" is the theme throughout the book. Some of the answers are predictable: compassion, oneness. But some are surprising, and for that reason alone the book is worth reading. It's more than a spiritual quest, though; "The Forty Rules of Love" is just a great story. Get caught up in the characters and it will make you feel, question, wonder, and walk away thoughtfully, with a little more love and compassion of your own.

Wonderful! Must enjoy :-)

Read it. Enjoy it. More importantly, take it personally. It shall help you "Wake up!" to Life, if you are ready, that is. It will help you Rediscover the Life. Some personal stuff, if needed: I have read the translation into Turkish about oh maybe three times. Quoted from it. Talked about it... I got it on my kindle yesterday and can't wait to read it in English now :-)