Reviews

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak

deboc's review against another edition

Beautiful, easy to read, and somewhat spiritual. It warmly reminded me of The alchemist. If you like the alchemist, you will enjoy this book.
I found the characters and the plot of this book slightly simplistic though. For good or for bad. Close to four stars, but not profound enough artistically, philosophically or spiritually in my opinion.

fbroom's review against another edition

2.0

I was hooked to this until reaching 40 or 50 percent and then everything fell apart. It became this shallow/superficial book. Ella couldn't deal with infidelity and so instead of taking time to reflect and be single, she just jumps immediately into a new thing with someone who strings her along until one day when he announces that he has a terminal illness! WTF lol this is when I was like OMG just stop. Or maybe I just don't believe in love like the author seems to imply.

klparmley's review against another edition

2.0

Nope. Not gonna bother finishing it. This is a Harlequin Romance with a thin patina of Rumi swished on top of it.

I have other stuff I'd rather spend my time with.

melodyrose25's review

hopeful mysterious reflective medium-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

lucindashirreffs's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

4.0

I want what Shams and Rumi have

melodys_library's review against another edition

3.0

An unexpected but not unwelcome history lesson on Sufi philosophy. Although Ella’s contemporary story is included, it’s not at the forefront.

nothingbutfiction's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

gathou's review against another edition

inspiring reflective 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? N/A

4.5

salman_israr's review against another edition

5.0

One of best books I have ever read. I'm sure it would have lasting effect on my personal philosophy till the day I die.

inwinter's review

emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

This was the second book i read after a huge gap of years, the pace was good, i completed this in barely a few days because I couldn't wait to know the secrets, the twists that was teased at the start. I simply love the relationship between Shams and Rumi, it's true love between them, showing once again true love doesn't have to be romantic, you can find such deep emotions in any relationship worth enough.