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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexual content
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
6/10
Bit disappointed given the hype but the rumi/shams story felt amazing then the application to modern day was a bit waffly/feel good/ and not paced well.
It felt as if a 'spiritual Muslim' read about Rumi and Sufism and then decided to spin it out. Certainly has its gems "Sharia is a candle, don't forget the destianation" was amazing but it could have been more spiritual.
Bit disappointed given the hype but the rumi/shams story felt amazing then the application to modern day was a bit waffly/feel good/ and not paced well.
It felt as if a 'spiritual Muslim' read about Rumi and Sufism and then decided to spin it out. Certainly has its gems "Sharia is a candle, don't forget the destianation" was amazing but it could have been more spiritual.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If one word could describe the book it would be BORING
I think the author can work good with the switch of povs and all but there has to be some elements that makes you want to keep reading which it lacks terribly plus a 15 year old marrying a grown ass man didn't fit right with me, I'm not saying I didn't like anything about the book i did actually that's why I didn't dnf it but it's just not enough, even if I ignore stuff that i found problematic because of being muslim the story itself is boring and even if the writing was good it still couldn't have saved the book
I think the author can work good with the switch of povs and all but there has to be some elements that makes you want to keep reading which it lacks terribly plus a 15 year old marrying a grown ass man didn't fit right with me, I'm not saying I didn't like anything about the book i did actually that's why I didn't dnf it but it's just not enough, even if I ignore stuff that i found problematic because of being muslim the story itself is boring and even if the writing was good it still couldn't have saved the book
This definitely dragged towards the middle, but I'm glad I persevered. By halfway through, I started skipping all the Ella chapters so even though I don't actually know what happened with her and Aziz, something tells me I didn't miss much...
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this eCopy to review
The Forty Rules of Love is everything I want in spiritual fiction lyrical, layered, and soul-stirring. From the quiet suburbs of Massachusetts to the mystic streets of 13th-century Konya, this novel swept me into a dual narrative that explores love in its most transformative form. It’s a story about faith, freedom, and the courage to follow the heart’s deepest calling.
💖 Plot Summary
Ella Rubinstein is a forty-year-old housewife whose life feels stagnant, her marriage is loveless, her children distant, and her sense of self fading. When she takes a job as a reader for a literary agency, her first assignment is a novel titled Sweet Blasphemy by Aziz Zahara. As she reads, she’s drawn into the story of Shams of Tabriz, a wandering Sufi dervish, and his spiritual bond with the poet Rumi.
Through Shams’s forty rules of love, each a philosophical gem, Ella begins to question everything she thought she knew about love, religion, and identity. As her correspondence with Aziz deepens, so does her inner transformation. Meanwhile, in the historical narrative, Shams and Rumi’s friendship challenges societal norms and ignites a spiritual revolution, even as it draws hostility from those closest to Rumi.
🌙 What Worked
Dual Narratives: The parallel stories of Ella and Rumi are beautifully interwoven, each reflecting the other’s journey toward awakening.
Shams’s Rules: Each rule is a meditation on love, compassion, and divine connection. I found myself pausing to reflect after nearly every one.
Emotional Resonance: Ella’s quiet rebellion and Rumi’s poetic evolution are deeply moving. Their transformations feel both personal and universal.
Cultural Richness: Shafak’s portrayal of Sufism is respectful, vivid, and enlightening. It’s a celebration of spiritual diversity.
Language: The prose is elegant and evocative, with moments that feel like poetry.
🧾 Final Thoughts
The Forty Rules of Love is a luminous novel that invites readers to look inward and embrace the radical power of love. It’s about breaking free from fear, embracing the unknown, and finding divinity in connection. Elif Shafak has crafted a masterpiece that lingers long after the final page.
If you’re drawn to stories that blend history, spirituality, and emotional depth, this one’s for you.
The Forty Rules of Love is everything I want in spiritual fiction lyrical, layered, and soul-stirring. From the quiet suburbs of Massachusetts to the mystic streets of 13th-century Konya, this novel swept me into a dual narrative that explores love in its most transformative form. It’s a story about faith, freedom, and the courage to follow the heart’s deepest calling.
💖 Plot Summary
Ella Rubinstein is a forty-year-old housewife whose life feels stagnant, her marriage is loveless, her children distant, and her sense of self fading. When she takes a job as a reader for a literary agency, her first assignment is a novel titled Sweet Blasphemy by Aziz Zahara. As she reads, she’s drawn into the story of Shams of Tabriz, a wandering Sufi dervish, and his spiritual bond with the poet Rumi.
Through Shams’s forty rules of love, each a philosophical gem, Ella begins to question everything she thought she knew about love, religion, and identity. As her correspondence with Aziz deepens, so does her inner transformation. Meanwhile, in the historical narrative, Shams and Rumi’s friendship challenges societal norms and ignites a spiritual revolution, even as it draws hostility from those closest to Rumi.
🌙 What Worked
Dual Narratives: The parallel stories of Ella and Rumi are beautifully interwoven, each reflecting the other’s journey toward awakening.
Shams’s Rules: Each rule is a meditation on love, compassion, and divine connection. I found myself pausing to reflect after nearly every one.
Emotional Resonance: Ella’s quiet rebellion and Rumi’s poetic evolution are deeply moving. Their transformations feel both personal and universal.
Cultural Richness: Shafak’s portrayal of Sufism is respectful, vivid, and enlightening. It’s a celebration of spiritual diversity.
Language: The prose is elegant and evocative, with moments that feel like poetry.
🧾 Final Thoughts
The Forty Rules of Love is a luminous novel that invites readers to look inward and embrace the radical power of love. It’s about breaking free from fear, embracing the unknown, and finding divinity in connection. Elif Shafak has crafted a masterpiece that lingers long after the final page.
If you’re drawn to stories that blend history, spirituality, and emotional depth, this one’s for you.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my introduction to Elif Shafak and I can't say I was disappointed in anything but the fact that I didn't finish it sooner.
I love the variety of povs and seeing the growth of the characters felt so satisfying in the end compared to how they were in the beginning of the story.
I love the variety of povs and seeing the growth of the characters felt so satisfying in the end compared to how they were in the beginning of the story.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such a gorgeous story and I agree with the review on the cover of my edition that called it luxurious. I particularly loved the switching POV from maybe a dozen perspectives that allowed the story to flow from so many angles and viewpoints. To me, this reflects the multitude of contrasting interpretations of Sufi thought that this novel showcases through its characters.
My only qualm is that I think a lot went over my head in terms of the spiritual Sufi thought, interpretations of the Qur’an and philosophical exposition that are central to this story. And because I struggled to follow these parts, I felt my momentum decline at times. But I’m so glad I kept reading — this book is just very different from my usual genre / themes so I don’t know if I fully took away what was intended from the story.
My only qualm is that I think a lot went over my head in terms of the spiritual Sufi thought, interpretations of the Qur’an and philosophical exposition that are central to this story. And because I struggled to follow these parts, I felt my momentum decline at times. But I’m so glad I kept reading — this book is just very different from my usual genre / themes so I don’t know if I fully took away what was intended from the story.