Scan barcode
A review by nehariaz
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Having LOVED the Pakistani drama, Alif, I had high hopes. But in this book, Sufism was favoured upon Islam, almost showing that it’s wrong. Shafak’s writing is beautiful & spiritual, how she wove together the 40 rules in the different stories & characters is applaudable. Ella’s POV bordered a soap drama but the latter (infidelity😬) romance made up for it. I wasn’t too interested in her weight gain, cheating husband or intimate emails, and skipped some of her chapters. Shams was an amazing character, but I don’t understand why he turned Kimya down. Desert Rose the Harlot always had the most touching storyline and quotes. Rumi’s transformation from a preacher to poet, a scholar to Sufi, all have inspired me to pick up his poetry. This reflective piece certainly encourages one to embark on their jihad-al nafs, to lose one’s ego and find love.
Graphic: Infidelity, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Addiction