The Forty Rules of Love: A Novel of Rumi by Elif Shafak-Paperback
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"The Forty Rules of Love: A Novel of Rumi" by Elif Shafak is a novel that beautifully intertwines two stories: one is a contemporary narrative set in Istanbul, and the other is a historical one, centered around the life of the famous 13th-century poet and mystic, Rumi, and his spiritual guide, Shams of Tabriz.
The novel follows Ella Rubinstein, a middle-aged Jewish housewife in modern-day Istanbul, who works as a reader for a literary agency. She is assigned to read a manuscript about Rumi and his spiritual journey. As she reads the story of Rumi and his relationship with Shams, Ella finds herself deeply moved, and her life begins to change in profound ways. The story in the manuscript unfolds in parallel with Ella's personal journey, as she struggles with the monotony of her marriage, her faith, and the constraints of societal expectations.
The second narrative is a historical one, set in the 13th century, where Rumi, a respected scholar and poet in Konya (modern-day Turkey), encounters Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish. Shams' unconventional teachings of love and spirituality spark a transformative bond between the two. This relationship led Rumi to embrace a new understanding of divine love and inspired poetry, leaving behind his former life as a scholar and entering the mystical world of Sufism.
Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love is a deeply spiritual and evocative novel that explores love in its many forms, using both a historical and contemporary framework. Through the stories of Ella and Rumi, readers are invited to reflect on the profound power of love and how it can change the course of a life. The novel is a testament to Shafak's skill in weaving together philosophy, mysticism, and personal growth, offering both a literary and spiritual journey for readers.
