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breadcrumbz 's review for:
The Forty Rules of Love: A Novel of Rumi
by Elif Shafak
A really wonderful book. As a Mount Holyoke student, I was excited when I read that Ella lives in Northampton, then beyond thrilled when her older daughter, the one who initially makes her rethink her ideas on love, is a Mount Holyoke student just like me! I read on Elif Şafak's Wikipedia page that she was a fellow at Mount Holyoke for a time- what an honor for my school to have hosted such a superb author.
Ella's daughter who goes to Mount Holyoke is named Jeannette. I imagine only Mount Holyoke students and faculty would catch this, but one of the most beloved historical Mount Holyoke figures is English professor Jeannette Marks. Marks met Mary Woolley as a college student in the late 1890s, and the two soon became lovers. When Mary Woolley moved to Mount Holyoke to serve as president in 1901, Marks followed. The two remained together until Woolley's death in 1947. Their love for each other in a time when that love was dangerous to both of them is still inspiring to Mount Holyoke students today.
In the book, Jeannette wants to marry her boyfriend, even though he's not Jewish and they're both 19. This disturbs her mother so much that Ella emails Aziz. I think if this book had been published in 2019 instead of 2009, Jeannette would have been a lesbian like her (possible) namesake.
Beyond the personal connection, I thought the descriptions of love and friendship in this book were inspiring. I loved reading it.
Ella's daughter who goes to Mount Holyoke is named Jeannette. I imagine only Mount Holyoke students and faculty would catch this, but one of the most beloved historical Mount Holyoke figures is English professor Jeannette Marks. Marks met Mary Woolley as a college student in the late 1890s, and the two soon became lovers. When Mary Woolley moved to Mount Holyoke to serve as president in 1901, Marks followed. The two remained together until Woolley's death in 1947. Their love for each other in a time when that love was dangerous to both of them is still inspiring to Mount Holyoke students today.
In the book, Jeannette wants to marry her boyfriend, even though he's not Jewish and they're both 19. This disturbs her mother so much that Ella emails Aziz. I think if this book had been published in 2019 instead of 2009, Jeannette would have been a lesbian like her (possible) namesake.
Beyond the personal connection, I thought the descriptions of love and friendship in this book were inspiring. I loved reading it.