The Forty Rules of Love (HB)

I have studied mysticism literature before in several different forms -- novel, autobiography and self-instruction. Mysticism is a difficult concept for nearly everyone in the Western world where thinking is dominated by causal analysis and problem solving. Sometimes authors in the novel form have not understood mysticism very well and have drifted off into magical thinking -- e.g. the Celestine Prophecy that was popular some years ago. Mysticism is not about magic. Shafak has no such problem. I found 40 rules to be very engaging. The book is much easier to grasp than "The Cloud of Unknowing," much greater depth than "Franny and Zooey," and much more engaging than "The Way of a Pilgrim." The Sufi-dervish tradition from the 13th century is very different from the Christian mysticism that was occurring at the same time. Christian mysticism seems much more inward than the expression of Shams. Consider how someone praying the rosary is focused. Consider Julian of Norwich who is a hermit/anchoress and as isolated from the world as she can be. Conversely, Shams must live in the world to see God's vision as it is expressed in each individual and to learn to love that vision of God in each of their lives. The story of Shams is the most interesting line of the story and better conceived than Ella's story. Unlike some other reviewers, however, I can readily be convinced that a "boring housewife" can have a dramatic conversion experience over a period of several months. Shafak lets us see this through the lens of "many emails" a few of which are actually represented in the story. The lens is a bit too narrow for most of us. I think it would help these readers to write each of the 40 rules on a note card as it is reported. Then read the rule at least 2-times a day for a week. This is a start at the kind of discipline a mystic or someone becoming a mystic would employ. Disciplined practices have a way of changing how we behave. And, yes, I do believe in behavioral psychology as well, but I find a spiritual approach to be even more helpful.

The question is not "Is this a good book?" The question is "Are you good enough to read it?" I did not so much read The Forty Rules of Love as I marveled at the artistry of its construction and, I admit, as I turned the pages I congratulated myself on my ability to recognize that artistry. To hold this book between your hands and read it is to be in the presence of a master storyteller who has an important, possibly the most important, story to tell: the story of Love and how it manifests in this world. Elif Shafak, a writer famous for her novels in Turkish, wrote this book in English - flawlessly, beautifully, lucidly. Her use of the English language in its American variant reflects a masterful cultural sensibility. The book gains credibility by the use of cultural references that could only be known to and have meaning for cultural insiders. For example, a convert to Islam is said to have done so "after Kareem Abdul Jabbar and before Cat Stevens." The use of phrases such as "right as rain" and "talk the talk" indicates that Shafak does not use English as she was taught in school; she writes English as it is absorbed from years of deep conversation, wide reading and intense observation. As a true daughter of Turkey and lover of Istanbul, Elif Shafak is a bridge between East and West. Europe and Asia, Orient and Occident, reason and emotion, head and heart, scholar and mystic, left and right half of the human brain: to the materialist these are distinct entities and are doomed to endless conflict. Elif Shafak patiently assures us that, in the end, there is no difference. Running through her book like a leitmotif is the soothing and confident confirmation that dualism is an illusion and oneness is reality. All stories, characters, and plots tell of the struggle to realize truth and return once again to the state before knowledge of good and evil caused eviction from paradise. At one point in the novel the 13th century poet Rumi visits a tavern in Konya to teach and learn from its inhabitants. He says, "At the end of the day whoever wants to drink will drink and whoever wants to stay away from wine will stay away. We have no right to impose our way on others. There is no compulsion in religion." I love the way Elif Shafak slipped my favorite quote from the Qur'an (La iqraha fi din: There is no compulsion in religion, Sura 2, Line 256) into the story without reference. Muslims will know the quote and realize that it adds authority to Rumi's point. But those who are unaware that this is a Qur'anic quotation will receive the teaching fresh and pure, as if this is a new and fanciful notion of a novelist who merely wishes to bring harmony from conflict. That is what great art does: it brings harmony from conflict. Ultimately, there is only one book with one message. Each author writes that one book to explain that one message for a different audience so that all may learn and know about the primacy of love and the unity of humanity. Some books distinguish themselves and rise above the mass of others by the sheer quantity of light, truth, and goodness they convey. Mikhail Naimy's The Book of Mirdad is one example. The Forty Rules of Love is another. One sure way to tell whether a work of art is great, any work of art - a book, a film, music, painting, is whether it moves you to tears. I burst into tears on page 172, but that does not mean you will do the same. Each person will be moved by something different. It is the ability to touch the heart and stir the deepest emotions that makes a work of art powerful and beautiful and valuable. This book has that ability. There is nothing more to say.

This work is a very peaceful and inspiring read, and yet a bit confusing in its carelessness. It is a bit jarring to be reading accounts from characters from the 13th century who use idioms from 19th or 20th century, for example, bright eyed and bushy tailed. There are errors in the timeline of events. One character who spends a week in bed and then another week and so on, but later describes things that happened within ten days, not weeks. It could be because the character writing this work is a novice or is it because the true author and editor are careless? It really shouldn't matter but then I have to wonder what else they might have been careless about when it comes to understanding historical events or the elements of the mysticism the author wants to convey. It has definitely left me wanting to read and learn more about Rumi and Sufi beliefs, but using my own prism, not the author's.

A must read for anyone who is living or not living their true life. If you think you know what love is, read this book. If you have no idea what love is, read this book. You will be forever changed.

"The Forty Rules of Love", a book gifted with affection and purchased from Amazon India, has become a cherished possession for my girlfriend. This book, penned by the talented Elif Shafak, is a mesmerizing tale of love that transcends the boundaries of time and space. The narrative beautifully intertwines the lives of a modern American housewife and a thirteenth-century poet, Rumi. It is a testament to the transformative power of love, and it has deeply touched my girlfriend. She was moved by Shafak's eloquent prose and the profound wisdom embedded in the forty rules of love. The book has not only entertained her but also enlightened her, making her reflect on the nature of love and life. Her emotions were stirred as she turned each page, living through the characters and their experiences. The book has rekindled her love for reading, making her appreciate the power of words and the emotions they can evoke. She has been lost in its pages, lived through the characters, and emerged with a deeper understanding of love and life. In conclusion, "The Forty Rules of Love" is more than just a book. It is an experience, a journey of love and self-discovery that has left a lasting impression on her. It has been a source of joy, reflection, and inspiration, making it a perfect gift for any book lover.

“The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak is more than just a story—it’s an experience that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. It follows Ella Rubinstein, a woman who feels trapped in the monotony of her seemingly perfect life, as she discovers a manuscript that shakes her to her core. Through the story of Rumi and his spiritual guide, Shams of Tabriz, Ella begins to question everything she thought she knew about love, purpose, and the divine. What makes this book so personal is how it speaks directly to the heart. The “forty rules of love” scattered throughout the narrative aren’t just for the characters—they feel like quiet whispers to the reader, nudging you to reflect on your own relationships, beliefs, and the courage it takes to embrace a life of true authenticity. Reading this book feels like embarking on a spiritual journey, one that challenges and uplifts you, leaving you with a sense of wonder about the power of love—in all its forms.

Great 🥰🥳💗

Livro delicioso de se ler, com histórias paralelas muito bem articuladas, todas na primeira pessoa do personagem que está em foco. Uma introdução aos conceitos e aos valores básicos do Sufismo, muito bem apresentada via as 40 Regras do Amor.

Good as anticipated