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derayetbook88's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
saralaoui's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
tinakoreads's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful book indeed. Being a fan of Elif Shafak for some time now, I was quite eager to read this novel. It was a bit difficult to follow the story told through so many different perspectives and voices, I must admit.
But, it is a real adventurous journey from 13th century Bagdad to 21st century New York.
Spoilers ahead:
What I didn't like was the modern character of Ella. Somehow I find her too relatable if that is possible. Eat, pray love-esque kind of woman in her 40s that starts an adventure within herself. But the way her life was narrated was a bit off-putting. A real juxtaposition to all the historically embellished Middle East and Anatolia stories.
But, it is a real adventurous journey from 13th century Bagdad to 21st century New York.
Spoilers ahead:
What I didn't like was the modern character of Ella. Somehow I find her too relatable if that is possible. Eat, pray love-esque kind of woman in her 40s that starts an adventure within herself. But the way her life was narrated was a bit off-putting. A real juxtaposition to all the historically embellished Middle East and Anatolia stories.
jayra's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely one of the best book I've read this year.
Every rules are worth bookmarked, it did changed my perspective, it literally changed my life! I was going through emotional phase when I pick this book and I am glad that I made that decision.
Every rules are worth bookmarked, it did changed my perspective, it literally changed my life! I was going through emotional phase when I pick this book and I am glad that I made that decision.
mobyskine's review against another edition
5.0
What a charming book it is! I never knew that I would fall in love with it this much.
The story of Ella and Sweet Blasphemy-- it was beautifully presented, lyrically and metaphorical described. I love Shams' story, him and Rumi what a wonderful love story-- full of wisdom and lesson to learn, how a friendship could build and be missed in a day. All the characters that took part in their journey, how I myself keep on thinking about all Shams' rules-- nerve-wracking at some point, worrisome at another, thought provoking but still very lovely and I couldn't resist from admiring Shams of Tabriz.
About Ella and and her family, and Aziz-- it takes a manuscript for a person to look and learn again the true meaning of 'love'. Emotionally and mentally beautiful.
I will definitely read this book again in future. In fact, I already miss Shams :'))
The story of Ella and Sweet Blasphemy-- it was beautifully presented, lyrically and metaphorical described. I love Shams' story, him and Rumi what a wonderful love story-- full of wisdom and lesson to learn, how a friendship could build and be missed in a day. All the characters that took part in their journey, how I myself keep on thinking about all Shams' rules-- nerve-wracking at some point, worrisome at another, thought provoking but still very lovely and I couldn't resist from admiring Shams of Tabriz.
About Ella and and her family, and Aziz-- it takes a manuscript for a person to look and learn again the true meaning of 'love'. Emotionally and mentally beautiful.
I will definitely read this book again in future. In fact, I already miss Shams :'))
lovelykd's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t a fan of the ending. The ending made me want to chuck the book and erase it from memory. It wasn’t necessarily bad, just disappointing and uninspired given the time it took to arrive.
Aside from that, I enjoyed it.
Ella is an unhappily married mother of three. She’s on the verge of turning forty and feels unsettled with her life, although she can’t pinpoint the reason.
To pass the time she takes a job as a reader. Her first assignment is to read and report on a book called “Sweet Blasphemy”—written by a man named Aziz.
During her time reading the book, she connects personally with the characters, and decides to reach to Aziz.
The two begin a friendship that, surprisingly for Ella, becomes more and leads to an awakening Ella never knew was possible.
The writing is beautiful. Fluid.
The story is presented with both Ella’s story—as well as those of the characters within Aziz’s book—alternating with each chapter. By the end I grew weary of the format, but it was clear the decision to do so was meant to show the interconnectedness between the two.
It wasn’t a huge distraction, but it would’ve been nice if
more attention were given to Ella.
The “forty rules” were used to explain the actions of those within “Sweet Blasphemy”, but could easily be applied in the here and now. I enjoyed reading them, but could also see where some would get annoyed.
Overall a solid, surprisingly lovely, read ... until the end; but that was more about my desire to have better closure. I simply didn’t agree with the way the journey ended.
Aside from that, I enjoyed it.
Ella is an unhappily married mother of three. She’s on the verge of turning forty and feels unsettled with her life, although she can’t pinpoint the reason.
To pass the time she takes a job as a reader. Her first assignment is to read and report on a book called “Sweet Blasphemy”—written by a man named Aziz.
During her time reading the book, she connects personally with the characters, and decides to reach to Aziz.
The two begin a friendship that, surprisingly for Ella, becomes more and leads to an awakening Ella never knew was possible.
The writing is beautiful. Fluid.
The story is presented with both Ella’s story—as well as those of the characters within Aziz’s book—alternating with each chapter. By the end I grew weary of the format, but it was clear the decision to do so was meant to show the interconnectedness between the two.
It wasn’t a huge distraction, but it would’ve been nice if
more attention were given to Ella.
The “forty rules” were used to explain the actions of those within “Sweet Blasphemy”, but could easily be applied in the here and now. I enjoyed reading them, but could also see where some would get annoyed.
Overall a solid, surprisingly lovely, read ... until the end; but that was more about my desire to have better closure. I simply didn’t agree with the way the journey ended.
h4chi's review against another edition
Okay so I have been reading this for a while, haven’t got that far.
I feel like I don’t like it and I am kinda upset because I was so excited to get into this. I haven’t been it enough chapters to properly form an opinion and I should read more to help with the confusion. Also I definitely need to do my research on shams and rumi when I am done because the book mentions how famous rumi poetry is and the name sounds familiar but I actually don’t know who that is.
I’m not sure if this is a religious book or just an Arabic book. The whole interpretation dreams / predicting the future is…not something i expected and really caught me off guard. And ngl that’s kinda what threw me off from reading in the first place. Though I haven’t read much.. it felt wrong to read - as a Muslim especially if this is supposed to be a religious book. It just seemed incorrect and I didn’t feel inspired to continue reading incase it might continue to go that direction. However it might just be an Arabic book.
Still figuring out what the genre is, getting a feeling it has mythical and supernatural elements to it, which if true is another thing I didn’t expect. The only thing I expected coming into this book is love so I’m getting kinda confused who the romance is supposed to be between or if it’s another form of love, both in feeling and in action.
I heard a much good ( nothing specific to the plot, just overall reviews) so I am still keen on seeing it through. I’m not much of a reader so might take me a while to get back into it.
I feel like I don’t like it and I am kinda upset because I was so excited to get into this. I haven’t been it enough chapters to properly form an opinion and I should read more to help with the confusion. Also I definitely need to do my research on shams and rumi when I am done because the book mentions how famous rumi poetry is and the name sounds familiar but I actually don’t know who that is.
I’m not sure if this is a religious book or just an Arabic book. The whole interpretation dreams / predicting the future is…not something i expected and really caught me off guard. And ngl that’s kinda what threw me off from reading in the first place. Though I haven’t read much.. it felt wrong to read - as a Muslim especially if this is supposed to be a religious book. It just seemed incorrect and I didn’t feel inspired to continue reading incase it might continue to go that direction. However it might just be an Arabic book.
Still figuring out what the genre is, getting a feeling it has mythical and supernatural elements to it, which if true is another thing I didn’t expect. The only thing I expected coming into this book is love so I’m getting kinda confused who the romance is supposed to be between or if it’s another form of love, both in feeling and in action.
I heard a much good ( nothing specific to the plot, just overall reviews) so I am still keen on seeing it through. I’m not much of a reader so might take me a while to get back into it.
megha_0610's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75