51 pages 1 hour read

Elif Shafak

The Forty Rules of Love

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak intertwines the story of Ella Rubinstein, a discontented housewife, and her transformative journey sparked by reading a manuscript about the 13th-century Sufi dervish Shams of Tabriz and the poet Rumi. As Ella delves into their spiritual bond and teachings, she begins to reevaluate her own life and seeks a more passionate existence. Includes themes of terminal illness and death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak intertwines a modern-day love story with the historical bond between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, earning praise for its poetic language and spiritual depth. Criticisms target its predictable plot and occasionally didactic tone, but it remains celebrated for its rich cultural exploration and emotional resonance.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Forty Rules of Love?

An ideal reader for Elif Shafak's The Forty Rules of Love enjoys deeply reflective and spiritual narratives with intertwining historical and contemporary storylines. Fans of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist or Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will find this book’s exploration of Sufism and transformative love appealing.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Middle Eastern Literature

Historical Fiction

Romance

Period

Asian Literature

Topics

History: World

Philosophy

Religion / Spirituality