The Forty Rules of Love: A Journey of Love, Faith, and Transformation – Elif Shafak’s International Bestseller Inspired by Rumi’s Teachings on Life and Love

The book was a slow read, one that I did not think I’d like as much as I did. There were many beautiful lines to live and many emotions that I could relate to. I love how the past and the present moved as parallel stories. The ending although known, still made me sad ( both for Shams of Tabriz and Aziz) . It’s a thought provoking book that may not be everybody’s cup of tea. It tells the story of how Rumi turned a poet, about Sufism, the relation between Shams of Tabriz and Rumi, about Rumi’s family. Reading it will make you realise that pain and sorrow are a part of life. There cannot be joy without sorrow. The author narrates the past in the form of a book that is received by Ella, the editorial assistant, for review. The reader gets an idea of Ella’s life and her blossoming friendship with the author of the book, Aziz, as the story she is reviewing progresses.

"The Forty Rules of Love", a book gifted with affection and purchased from Amazon India, has become a cherished possession for my girlfriend. This book, penned by the talented Elif Shafak, is a mesmerizing tale of love that transcends the boundaries of time and space. The narrative beautifully intertwines the lives of a modern American housewife and a thirteenth-century poet, Rumi. It is a testament to the transformative power of love, and it has deeply touched my girlfriend. She was moved by Shafak's eloquent prose and the profound wisdom embedded in the forty rules of love. The book has not only entertained her but also enlightened her, making her reflect on the nature of love and life. Her emotions were stirred as she turned each page, living through the characters and their experiences. The book has rekindled her love for reading, making her appreciate the power of words and the emotions they can evoke. She has been lost in its pages, lived through the characters, and emerged with a deeper understanding of love and life. In conclusion, "The Forty Rules of Love" is more than just a book. It is an experience, a journey of love and self-discovery that has left a lasting impression on her. It has been a source of joy, reflection, and inspiration, making it a perfect gift for any book lover.

I read a long story-line novel after a long time and thought of starting with this one. Definitely worth readine and giving your time! You may have heard or might have read all the forty rules somewhere in your life but reading them again here truly transforms your imagination. I would say this book is so surreal, spiritual bent, not an average love story, but truly hooking you up by the last page. Multiple protagnists, multiple experiences, brilliantly written!

“If you remain the same person after reading this book, it only means you haven’t truly read it.” There is so much tenderness flowing through its pages that you simply cannot absorb it all at once. The characters-each vivid, flawed, and deeply human-feel lovingly stitched together, forming a tapestry that stays with you. Just as love is not a means to an end but the end itself, this story has no real ending. You carry it within you long after the author has laid down her pen. What she can no longer do is extinguish the flame of love she has already kindled. A genuinely endearing read.

“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transforma-tion. If we are the same person before and after we loved, that means we haven’t loved enough.”🍁❤️‍🩹 . This book has to be my one of the best reads till now because it is one of those days where I didn’t wanted to finish reading it as I couldn’t get enough of it. It is one of those books for me which I will never stop recommending to anyone. One story happens in Northampton and Boston in the present modern days, where Ella is a homemaker whose life looks like a perfect picture to others’ eyes. In Konya during the 12th century between a Sufi Poet Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, initially, Rumi was a teacher and preacher of religious sermons. But when Rumi met Shams his life changed completely. Shams’ love helps Rumi’s transformation. The narrative is intriguing, I was literally devouring each and every word. This book is a sanctum of spiritualism in one of its finest ways. Some very deep feminist thoughts are voiced by the writer. A quest infused with Sufi mysticism and verses that takes Ella the protagonist as well as us into an exotic world where faith and love are heartbreakingly explored. There’s beautiful reference of Qays and Laila which is just too powerful and that has to be my favourite part. The 40 rules explored in this book, the narratives and symbolism leading to it are just so mesmerising. I would suggest every reader to read this book atleast once in their life but let me say it’s too intense so handle with care. This book has to be one of my favourites 🍁❤️‍🩹

This novel by Elif Shafak attempts to explore love through two parallel plots. The historical context of Rumi's transformation from a man of letters to a man driven by love for his fellow beings through his companionship with his friend Shams of Tabriz, the Sufi is beautifully merged with the modern context of Ella, a house wife's search for deeper meaning and love through a chance encounter with Aziz, who is modern version of Sham of Tabriz, the Sufi. The sensitive depiction of the varied characters that set the historical context and lend some life to them is very novel. The mental state of a house wife torn between conflicting emotions and the final step that defines her likely future is painted from the sensitivity that the author as a woman is able to empathise. The story keeps us glued to the plot and the mix of divine with our human emotions is achieved with a finesse that sets this work in a class apart from mundane.Highly readable.

Finest piece

It's not easy read so many stories and characters but worth reading. It is not fast but takes time.

“The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak is more than just a story—it’s an experience that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. It follows Ella Rubinstein, a woman who feels trapped in the monotony of her seemingly perfect life, as she discovers a manuscript that shakes her to her core. Through the story of Rumi and his spiritual guide, Shams of Tabriz, Ella begins to question everything she thought she knew about love, purpose, and the divine. What makes this book so personal is how it speaks directly to the heart. The “forty rules of love” scattered throughout the narrative aren’t just for the characters—they feel like quiet whispers to the reader, nudging you to reflect on your own relationships, beliefs, and the courage it takes to embrace a life of true authenticity. Reading this book feels like embarking on a spiritual journey, one that challenges and uplifts you, leaving you with a sense of wonder about the power of love—in all its forms.

Great 🥰🥳💗

Livro delicioso de se ler, com histórias paralelas muito bem articuladas, todas na primeira pessoa do personagem que está em foco. Uma introdução aos conceitos e aos valores básicos do Sufismo, muito bem apresentada via as 40 Regras do Amor.

A must read for anyone who is living or not living their true life. If you think you know what love is, read this book. If you have no idea what love is, read this book. You will be forever changed.

Good as anticipated