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The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak - 4* - My Review

There are two primary story arcs in this novel. The first is Ella’s story, a woman living in the US who finds herself communicating with an author whose book she is reviewing. We learn about her dysfunctional marriage, and her teenage children. Ella and the author, Aziz, develop a relationship over e-mail. The second is the manuscript that Ella is reading. This “book within the book” is set in the 13th century. It reads as a series of fables or myths that reflect the life and times of the (real) poet Rumi and his (real) mentor, the wandering Persian Sufi dervish, Shams of Tabriz. The narrative switches between Ella’s present-day story and the 13th century tales of Rumi, Shams, Rumi's family members, friends, community residents, and outcasts.

I particularly enjoyed the many parallels between the two storylines. The titular “forty rules” are sprinkled throughout the tales of Rumi and Shams and their acquaintances. Through reading the manuscript and communicating with the author, Ella learns something about love, which she incorporates into her own life. It can occasionally feel a little choppy, as the transitions between the past and present are occasionally abrupt, but overall, it is a nicely written book that conveys a sense of Rumi’s time. I previously had little awareness of the lives of Rumi and Shams. It spurred me to further research the real people of history that are featured in this book, along with more about Sufism.

Great review, Joy! I'm glad you enjoyed the book.

I liked it too, read it earlier this year. This author always does her works incredibly well.