Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Penguin UK (2015)
Description
In this follow-up to her acclaimed 2007 novel The Bastard of Istanbul, Turkish author Elif Shafak unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives-one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz-that together incarnate the poet's timeless message of love.Ella Rubenstein is forty years old and unhappily married when she takes a job as a reader for a literary agent. Her first assignment is to read and report on Sweet Blasphemy, a novel written by a man named Aziz Zahara. Ella is mesmerized by his tale of Shams' search for Rumi and the dervish's role in transforming the successful but unhappy cleric into a committed mystic, passionate poet, and advocate of love. She is also taken with Shams's lessons, or rules, which offer insight into an ancient philosophy based on the unity of all people and religions, and the presence of love in each and every one of us. As she reads on, she realizes that Rumi's story mirrors her own and that Zahara-like Shams-has come to set her free.… (more)
Media reviews
The novel is beautifully written and explores a wide range of themes, including love, spirituality, religion, and self-discovery. The characters are well-developed, and the author's descriptions of their thoughts and emotions are vivid and poignant. The way the author interweaves the stories of
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Ella and Rumi is masterful, creating a deep and meaningful connection between the two characters. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member sushidog
Not the book I was hoping it would be. I was interested in learning more about Rumi, but this book was much more about his friend Shams of Tabriz than about the poet himself. Worse, it was overlaid with a contemporary love story that failed to deepen the history. The love story seemed pasted on
On top of this (and perhaps it's a case of English not being the author's mother-tongue), there was no difference in between the language of the contemporary characters and those of the 13th century. As well, there was little in the way of character differentiation from character to character; everyone speaks the same, feels the same. Sure, some are good and some are evil, and they have their own point of view, but if an author is going to write from constantly shifting first person perspective, I'd like to be able to feel it's a different person speaking without the help of the chapter titles.
Finally, an almost complete lack of humour or wit, and this wasn't the book for me. Probably means it will be a bestseller when it's published in February.
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top, and I didn't believe the contemporary protagonist Ell; mostly she was under-written. I could understand her leaving her husband, but not her children. But I don't recall her considering them in making her decision.On top of this (and perhaps it's a case of English not being the author's mother-tongue), there was no difference in between the language of the contemporary characters and those of the 13th century. As well, there was little in the way of character differentiation from character to character; everyone speaks the same, feels the same. Sure, some are good and some are evil, and they have their own point of view, but if an author is going to write from constantly shifting first person perspective, I'd like to be able to feel it's a different person speaking without the help of the chapter titles.
Finally, an almost complete lack of humour or wit, and this wasn't the book for me. Probably means it will be a bestseller when it's published in February.
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LibraryThing member pamdierickx
Forty Rules of Love is developed through the Sufi dervishes rules, eye opening glimpse into the Islam Religion that I did not know was there. LOVE the center of the Sufi's as well as the center of Christianity, Jewish communities is displayed in this novel rhythmically revolving back and forth
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between 1240's and the 2010. Revolving from Konya in Anatolia to Massachusetts USA. A story of LOVE abiding beyond the ego. Show Less
LibraryThing member Iudita
I enjoyed this unusual book. It is about a modern day housewife who's marriage and life has stalled and who discovers a new side to herself as she develops an unexpected relationship with the author of a book she is reading. It is also about an ancient historical poet named Rumi and a Sufi named
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Sham. This parallel plot is deeply intertwined with the first plot and is the driving factor in the plot development of the surface story. The writing style of this book makes it both challenging, interesting and sometimes frustrating to read. It is told from the perspectives of many different characters, sometimes in first person and sometimes in third. Add this to the constant shifting back and forth between past and present and you get a book that challenges the reader to re-adjust his/her prespective every few pages. This unusual approach to the writing in the book caused two effects for me. In some ways it keeps the story in motion and keeps the reader engaged. On the other hand, I found it was a bit cluttered. There were too many characters with too many opinions. I was far more interested in the progression of certain characters over others and it got a bit frustrating at times. Overall, it was an interesting, well thought out book & I'm glad to have had the opportunity to read it. Show Less
LibraryThing member groovygal506
When I started this book I was very excited as I could really relate to the main character. However, I soon realized that this was a book that not only switched back and forth between present day and the 13th century but also back and forth from the voice of over a half dozen different people!!! It
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took me a while to make sense of all of this and get in the flow of the "book" within the book. In fact I almost gave up. However, about halfway through it all started to make sense and and I really enjoyed it. That being said this book at times, is one of those preachy-self-reflective type of books sort of like "Eat Pray Love" which I couldn't even make it through. I definitely liked this book a lot more than the aforementioned, and was particularly enthralled with some of the less important characters such at the harlot and the drunk. I would not recommend this as a nice light holiday read - definitely something to read and mull over. Would make a good book club choice! Show Less
LibraryThing member katheebee
Initially I found the Forty Rules of Love to be quite an engaging read. Unfortunately, the further I ventured in, it began to seem like there was just too much going on. This is a tale of multiple characters, stories, voices and messages. Although many of the characters were interesting in and of
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themselves, we only get very brief snapshots before we move onto the next story or place, making it difficult to stay engaged. As a result, the pearls of real and thought-provoking wisdom scattered throughout the story get rather muddied by the context. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book. I hope it will be successful. Show Less
LibraryThing member jessstewart
I enjoyed reading this book. I found that I could relate to Ella's character in many ways. Her struggles with marriage ,motherhood and the quest for happiness resonated with me. It was also an interesting look at religion vs. spirituality as I struggle with this issue. I liked how an old story was
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mixed with new and found it very interesting to read the different points of view. The story moved along and kept me interested and was eerily appropriate for this time of my life and also with other books I have read recently. Show Less
LibraryThing member BillPilgrim
Ella is twenty years into what is now a loveless marriage. She rationalizes this by thinking that love is not important. When her college age daughter tells her at the books beginning that she wants to get married, Ella quickly dismisses the notion that being in love is a valid reason for
Then she begins reading a manuscript of a novel written by a Scottish man who converted to Sufism, which explores the relationship between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. This manuscript is presented as a book within a book, and is actually a much greater percentage of the novel than Ella's story. Shams was a wandering dervish who becomes a companion to Rumi, before Rumi became a poet, when he was preaching sermons to the Muslim community in Konya and was highly respected as a scholar. He influences Rumi to adopt Sufi beliefs and in the process, Shams becomes hated in the community and Rumi loses his previous standing. We learn this story through the voices of many different characters - Rumi and Shams, and Rumi's family, and community members, mostly from the outcasts whom Shams had befriended.
This book greatly influences Ella and changes her outlook about love. She starts an email relationship with the author of the book, and starts ignoring her husband. she yearns for a different life in which she can be happy.
I almost gave up on this book at the very beginning because I was put off by the opening scene where Ella states her views about the meaningless of love. but, I am glad that I decided to continue. The story of Shams and Rumi was highly interesting and I enjoyed being transported into their world.
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marriage.Then she begins reading a manuscript of a novel written by a Scottish man who converted to Sufism, which explores the relationship between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. This manuscript is presented as a book within a book, and is actually a much greater percentage of the novel than Ella's story. Shams was a wandering dervish who becomes a companion to Rumi, before Rumi became a poet, when he was preaching sermons to the Muslim community in Konya and was highly respected as a scholar. He influences Rumi to adopt Sufi beliefs and in the process, Shams becomes hated in the community and Rumi loses his previous standing. We learn this story through the voices of many different characters - Rumi and Shams, and Rumi's family, and community members, mostly from the outcasts whom Shams had befriended.
This book greatly influences Ella and changes her outlook about love. She starts an email relationship with the author of the book, and starts ignoring her husband. she yearns for a different life in which she can be happy.
I almost gave up on this book at the very beginning because I was put off by the opening scene where Ella states her views about the meaningless of love. but, I am glad that I decided to continue. The story of Shams and Rumi was highly interesting and I enjoyed being transported into their world.
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LibraryThing member nabeelar
"The Forty Rules of Love" tells of a modern day literary agent reader who must evaluate a manuscript called "Sweet Blasphemy" and falls in love with the author of said manuscript. The novel is written in the modern style of switching narrators and viewpoints, and also serves as a platform for
We chose this book for the Ill Fated Muslim book club, as well as my Neighborhood book club.
In general, the book was well received. Everyone liked the pearls of Sufi wisdom. Muslms and non-Muslims did not like the way Shams of Tabriz treated his wife. The Muslims were not happy about Shams sending Rumi out to a bar to buy wine. The Neighborhood Ladies didn't care about the alcohol, but they were all incensed by Ella's extramarital affair.
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introducing the works of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz to a 21st century audience.We chose this book for the Ill Fated Muslim book club, as well as my Neighborhood book club.
In general, the book was well received. Everyone liked the pearls of Sufi wisdom. Muslms and non-Muslims did not like the way Shams of Tabriz treated his wife. The Muslims were not happy about Shams sending Rumi out to a bar to buy wine. The Neighborhood Ladies didn't care about the alcohol, but they were all incensed by Ella's extramarital affair.
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LibraryThing member ritagad
Really good, very interesting. I have lived in Turkey and I am of the age of the main character so I identify. There is however something narcissistic about the forty rules of love and the belief system. This book is thought provoking and worth a read.
LibraryThing member julie10reads
Forty Rules "teaches" in much the same way as "Breakfast with Buddha"; but you expect that when you're reading about Rumi (actually it's more about Shams of Tabriz) and Buddha. Here is my memorable quote:
"Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same
It all depends on how you understand "transformation". The second statement in the quote is unskilfully phrased.
"Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same
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person before and after we loved, that means we haven't loved enough."It all depends on how you understand "transformation". The second statement in the quote is unskilfully phrased.
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LibraryThing member revslick
Elif attempts to weave a story filled with two very complex narratives. One is a housewife name Ella; the other is the Suft poet Rumi and Shams. What we get thought is a buttoned shirt at the end which has skipped a button somewhere leaving you slightly disgusted. Personally, the Rumi segments are
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simply brilliant. The spiritual quest, which Ella is on, leaves you wanting more. If I were to read just the Rumi segments the book would get five stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member asyouth
I liked this book because of the Rumi element, the Ella story was disappointing but kept you reading
LibraryThing member pengvini
Do not judge a book by its cover. Despite the gorgeous cover and the promise of a lyrical tale involving the filial love between a mystic and a poet in thirteenth century Anatolia, this book was a disappointment.
I finished it with a feeling of irritation. I didn't like the modern love story that
The "Forty Rules" that were scattered throughout the book as little pearls of wisdom were inspirational in their own right. But their use in the book felt a bit contrived.
I finished it with a feeling of irritation. I didn't like the modern love story that
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was interleaved with the medieval one. I failed to see how the two were linked. The thirteenth century characters, expressing themselves in modern American slang, just didn't feel right. As far as the two central characters were concerned:- I never felt any affinity towards Rumi and by the end of the book I'd grown to positively dislike Shams.The "Forty Rules" that were scattered throughout the book as little pearls of wisdom were inspirational in their own right. But their use in the book felt a bit contrived.
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LibraryThing member MargaretPinardAuthor
This one languished on my bedstand for several months, so I'm reselling it. I wanted to read something of a Turkish female author, but not about divorce, family life, misery, stasis... My determination to get past the description didn't get me beyond the first couple chapters, I'm afraid. No hook.
LibraryThing member bluepigeon
I have been putting off the review, one that I could have written midway through the book. I love Elif Shafak's writing in Turkish and in English, and I have read many of her books, sometimes in both languages. With that said, I have a hard time writing a review for The Forty Rules of Love without
As I was reading this book, I often thought "A Doll's House meets self-help" I liked the modern day story with Ella, the 40 year-old homemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Ella will surely search for a new life, one thinks, from the very beginning. How that new life comes about, or rather more importantly how the old one is evaluated by Ella along the way is what makes the story interesting. The other half of the book is made up of another book written by a mysterious guy about the relationship of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. And this second book is what bothered me. The writing style is certainly distinct from that of Ella's story, and certainly from that of anything Elif Shafak has written before, perhaps trying to capture a simple, more "folksy" way of speech. The story is supposed to be inspiring, I suppose. And if you are a cynical atheist like me, you will find most of it painfully hypocritical and banal. Again, I do not mean this to be a judgement on any particular religion or belief, perhaps a judgement on how humans practice their beliefs, sort of, but as I said, it is hard to review this book without voicing your opinion about the spiritual beliefs it contains. The 40 rules certainly make up a good self-help book on their own. The attitude of both Rumi and Shams are ignorant, thoughtless, selfish, and sometimes very confusing. The feelings of one of Rumi's sons and those of Rumi's wife have a voice, but the other voices are so overwhelming that even though these two people have perfectly legitimate complaints and highlight certain problems that directly point at the hypocrisy and hedonism of Rumi and Shams' behaviors, I could not help but feel that the writer tried very hard for me to still sympathize with Rumi and Shams and not the son and the wife.
And in the end, what is it that we should think about when we leave this book? Should we have learned that love is the only thing worth pursuing in life? Is it really? I am not convinced.
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it sounding like a criticism of "spirituality" (in this case, Sufism, but really, can be applied to all spiritual practices) So perhaps that says it all: If you are not into spirituality, maybe this is not the book for you. As I was reading this book, I often thought "A Doll's House meets self-help" I liked the modern day story with Ella, the 40 year-old homemaker who is having a mid-life crisis. Ella will surely search for a new life, one thinks, from the very beginning. How that new life comes about, or rather more importantly how the old one is evaluated by Ella along the way is what makes the story interesting. The other half of the book is made up of another book written by a mysterious guy about the relationship of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. And this second book is what bothered me. The writing style is certainly distinct from that of Ella's story, and certainly from that of anything Elif Shafak has written before, perhaps trying to capture a simple, more "folksy" way of speech. The story is supposed to be inspiring, I suppose. And if you are a cynical atheist like me, you will find most of it painfully hypocritical and banal. Again, I do not mean this to be a judgement on any particular religion or belief, perhaps a judgement on how humans practice their beliefs, sort of, but as I said, it is hard to review this book without voicing your opinion about the spiritual beliefs it contains. The 40 rules certainly make up a good self-help book on their own. The attitude of both Rumi and Shams are ignorant, thoughtless, selfish, and sometimes very confusing. The feelings of one of Rumi's sons and those of Rumi's wife have a voice, but the other voices are so overwhelming that even though these two people have perfectly legitimate complaints and highlight certain problems that directly point at the hypocrisy and hedonism of Rumi and Shams' behaviors, I could not help but feel that the writer tried very hard for me to still sympathize with Rumi and Shams and not the son and the wife.
And in the end, what is it that we should think about when we leave this book? Should we have learned that love is the only thing worth pursuing in life? Is it really? I am not convinced.
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LibraryThing member pathogenik
It has been one zen period of my life reading this amazing novel. it was a meditative peaceful prayer that bathed my whole being in a state of spiritual love of everything. It is an enlightening book (enlightens the heart, regardless of the mind: this book is experienced by the soul and felt by the
I did not want it to end.
I cannot thank the beautiful Salam more for lending it to me I love Elif Shafak!
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heart much more poerfully than it is processed through the mind).I did not want it to end.
I cannot thank the beautiful Salam more for lending it to me I love Elif Shafak!
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
Before I write my review of this book, I need to clarify a few points that I believe they're wrong in the book.
Islam in itself is a unity and oneness, all devoted to Allah, some people in later years fell in "love" with Allah, and called themselves Sufis. Sufism in itself isn't Islam, it's actually
The "love" that's repeated throughout the book should have been clarified as the "love" of Allah. Sufi people aren't all dervishes. And the word "Dervish" درويش is used in Arabic as دروشة which means going to a high state of طرب/Tarab which means going into a high state of rapture, mirth and glee for Allah, so they either twirl which is common or sing, or write. But mostly twirl.
With that said, I feel better about starting my review.
I've always been fascinated with sufism as a kid, the twirling dervishes with their skirts and dishdashas flying around in circles for such along time while they sang to Allah with tambours players repeating "God is alive" gave me a thrill in the bit of my stomach and heart... till this day, they mostly come out in Ramadan or events, and visit local malls and such bringing with them a hint of the past with their customs.
Islam in itself is a unity and oneness, all devoted to Allah, some people in later years fell in "love" with Allah, and called themselves Sufis. Sufism in itself isn't Islam, it's actually
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quite extreme and Islam is a religion of moderation.The "love" that's repeated throughout the book should have been clarified as the "love" of Allah. Sufi people aren't all dervishes. And the word "Dervish" درويش is used in Arabic as دروشة which means going to a high state of طرب/Tarab which means going into a high state of rapture, mirth and glee for Allah, so they either twirl which is common or sing, or write. But mostly twirl.
With that said, I feel better about starting my review.
I've always been fascinated with sufism as a kid, the twirling dervishes with their skirts and dishdashas flying around in circles for such along time while they sang to Allah with tambours players repeating "God is alive" gave me a thrill in the bit of my stomach and heart... till this day, they mostly come out in Ramadan or events, and visit local malls and such bringing with them a hint of the past with their customs.
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LibraryThing member mrsdanaalbasha
Before I write my review of this book, I need to clarify a few points that I believe they're wrong in the book.
Islam in itself is a unity and oneness, all devoted to Allah, some people in later years fell in "love" with Allah, and called themselves Sufis. Sufism in itself isn't Islam, it's actually
The "love" that's repeated throughout the book should have been clarified as the "love" of Allah. Sufi people aren't all dervishes. And the word "Dervish" درويش is used in Arabic as دروشة which means going to a high state of طرب/Tarab which means going into a high state of rapture, mirth and glee for Allah, so they either twirl which is common or sing, or write. But mostly twirl.
With that said, I feel better about starting my review.
I've always been fascinated with sufism as a kid, the twirling dervishes with their skirts and dishdashas flying around in circles for such along time while they sang to Allah with tambours players repeating "God is alive" gave me a thrill in the bit of my stomach and heart... till this day, they mostly come out in Ramadan or events, and visit local malls and such bringing with them a hint of the past with their customs.
Islam in itself is a unity and oneness, all devoted to Allah, some people in later years fell in "love" with Allah, and called themselves Sufis. Sufism in itself isn't Islam, it's actually
Show More
quite extreme and Islam is a religion of moderation.The "love" that's repeated throughout the book should have been clarified as the "love" of Allah. Sufi people aren't all dervishes. And the word "Dervish" درويش is used in Arabic as دروشة which means going to a high state of طرب/Tarab which means going into a high state of rapture, mirth and glee for Allah, so they either twirl which is common or sing, or write. But mostly twirl.
With that said, I feel better about starting my review.
I've always been fascinated with sufism as a kid, the twirling dervishes with their skirts and dishdashas flying around in circles for such along time while they sang to Allah with tambours players repeating "God is alive" gave me a thrill in the bit of my stomach and heart... till this day, they mostly come out in Ramadan or events, and visit local malls and such bringing with them a hint of the past with their customs.
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LibraryThing member petrificius
This book is written from multiple POVs, shuttling between Rumi's time in the 1200s and a housewife in modern day America.
For most of the book, I felt like this was a highly disjointed narrative. It felt like essays from different people, and I could not see the story coming together.
The characters
Rumi: So boring (who would have thought?) I was looking forward to reading and knowing about this great poet, but this book reduced Rumi to a dull, uninspiring person.
Ella: Annoying. Vapid. A character without any charisma, her romance with Aziz is a boring, tasteless affair. Her story ends in the most clichéd way imaginable, and even though she has lived a dormant life, I could not sympathize with her.
Shams of Tabriz: Intolerable. Insufferable. For a character who invents the forty rules of love, and spends half the book trying to explain the meaning of love to anyone who would listen, his treatment of his own wife is appalling, to say the least.
He brings Rumi closer to the homeless, poor and outcast people of his town, but ends up alienating him from his entire family, and everyone else he holds dear.
An important aspect of the book is based on the friendship and the deep bond between Rumi & Shams, and yet most of it is shown through the eyes of other characters, so we hardly get to experience what exactly these two were to each other. This was disappointing to me, I would have loved to get a feel of what Rumi and Shams experienced as true companions.
About the rules - at the beginning, they are smoothly incorporated into the story, however as you move further, the author simply chooses to number a rule and just put it out there, making it a tedious read.
This book is more "tell", than "show", and it's not something I would re-read.
For most of the book, I felt like this was a highly disjointed narrative. It felt like essays from different people, and I could not see the story coming together.
The characters
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were a disappointment:Rumi: So boring (who would have thought?) I was looking forward to reading and knowing about this great poet, but this book reduced Rumi to a dull, uninspiring person.
Ella: Annoying. Vapid. A character without any charisma, her romance with Aziz is a boring, tasteless affair. Her story ends in the most clichéd way imaginable, and even though she has lived a dormant life, I could not sympathize with her.
Shams of Tabriz: Intolerable. Insufferable. For a character who invents the forty rules of love, and spends half the book trying to explain the meaning of love to anyone who would listen, his treatment of his own wife is appalling, to say the least.
He brings Rumi closer to the homeless, poor and outcast people of his town, but ends up alienating him from his entire family, and everyone else he holds dear.
An important aspect of the book is based on the friendship and the deep bond between Rumi & Shams, and yet most of it is shown through the eyes of other characters, so we hardly get to experience what exactly these two were to each other. This was disappointing to me, I would have loved to get a feel of what Rumi and Shams experienced as true companions.
About the rules - at the beginning, they are smoothly incorporated into the story, however as you move further, the author simply chooses to number a rule and just put it out there, making it a tedious read.
This book is more "tell", than "show", and it's not something I would re-read.
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LibraryThing member jhoaglin
In searching/reading from different teachers in various world religions, I have often come across the name, and the poetry, of Rumi, but had never before encountered the works of Shams of Tabriz, who is said to have been the teacher and close friend of Rumi. In this novel, the author builds her
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story around that friendship, and the wisdom taught by Shams to Rumi. The book is structured as a novel within the novel; Ella Rubenstein takes an assignment to read and critique a book that is a fictional account about Rumi and Shams; Ella, like me, knows very little about Islam, or Sufism, but begins to learn as she reads this book. Ella is also dealing with a crisis in her personal life, and her reading begins to have a great impact on her decisions and behaviors. The contemporary chapters about Ella are interspersed throughout the book, but what held my interest the most were the chapters that were part of “Sweet Blasphemy”, the novel within the novel, as I read it along with Ella. The 40 Rules of Shams are spiritual teachings that reflect wisdom that makes this novel a true jewel. Show Less
LibraryThing member celerydog
Dull, didactic, characters not credible. Gave up/DNF.
LibraryThing member Eye_Gee
I liked a lot about this book, especially the easy introduction to the basic concepts of Sufi mysticism, but found the writing simplistic. The story unfolds with chapters written from multiple points of view -- from many of the characters in the story. Unfortunately, I didn't find any of the
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characters well developed so it was a bit bothersome to be constantly switching perspectives. That said, the true central character is Shams of Tabriz, the spiritual muse of Rumi (now famous for the poetry he wrote in the 1200's. Show Less
LibraryThing member kaminsensical
New kind of read for me. This is not a book with a plot, this is a book that explores our spirituality. It refers to the poet Rumi so I tried to read his works. Not so great. But Safak weaves his ideas into a story that transcends time and country. I enjoyed her choice of words and descriptions of
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the settings. My advice is to abandon plot and look at theme. I intend to read all of her books. Show Less
LibraryThing member MomsterBookworm
I was very much looking forward to reading this, aside that it was recommended, it is also about the story of the legendary poet, Rumi -- whose poems I enjoy and have high regard. Some of the mystical wisdom contained herein, are quite similar to the esoterism of Judaism. In particular, there is
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mention of the four levels of interpreting the holy scriptures, which is identical to that which is mentioned in the 'Hebrew Book of the Dead' (it's not as creepy as it sounds). Even as a story, it contains a lot of spiritual wisdom. It is a story of love over fanaticism. Forgiveness over zealousness. Nonetheless, it is not a 'preachy' book, but that of changed lives. Show Less
LibraryThing member trinibaby9
I was a huge fan of Elif Shafak's Bastard of Istanbul, and really couldn't wait to get into The Forty Rules of Love. After reading it though, I must say I'm torn. I started reading this with every intention of loving it, and came out disappointed. Don't get me wrong there, was much to like in this
The problems arise for me in the multi-character perspective. It's always a really tricky thing to pull off and can be great when done well, but it can really affect a story when not done well. Add to that the fact the book is also dealing with past and present and the challenge becomes even greater. Unfortunately it all seems too much for the book to carry.
The story lines of each character aren't consistent in strength. Some are extremely interesting and you hunger more of them, others were decidedly weak. I wanted to read more of Ella, for example. Her story was fascinating; the realization that her life while seemingly perfect had become stagnant. Realizing what she wanted out of life had changed and she was no longer willing to settle. However, all the reader got were brief glimpses. Her story never seemed to develop fully or in enough detail. She was evolving and I really wanted to see that process. I actually found myself skipping ahead at times to her sections of the book. Shams himself was an interesting character as well, and we did get to see his effect on those around him through the eyes of other characters, but I found his story line lacking as well.
Some of the characters were very weak, and seemed to be more of a detractor or distraction from the story itself. New characters continued to be intoduced right up until the end. They seemed to be in the way of the portions of the book that mattered. There was a real sense of unbalance to the book. This lack of equality in the various story lines and the constant back and forth also seemed to stunt the progression of the book. You can tell there is supposed to be a flow, from perspective to perspective, past to future, despair to hope; unfortunately it just doesnt' happen seamlessly. There is and abruptness to the change between characters and story lines that makes it hard to get lost in the story.
The lack of time each character gets per chapter and in the story overall, doesn't allow for the relationships to develop the depth they are supposed to have. We're told of this profound relationship betweenm Rumi and Shams, or the deep love between Ella and Aziz. However the material we're given doesn't seem substantial enough to support the gravity of these relationships. I didn't get a good sense of what Shams and Rumi identified with in one another, or why Ella came to love Aziz enough to leave her family behind. It just seemed as if one minute each party met, they conversed or exchanged emails, and the next none of them could live without one another. I think the author would have been far better served by focusing on the principal characters, and perhaps pruning out a few of the minor ones. The book would have benefited with a more focused approach, especially with the changes between past and future going on.
I will say Shafak is fantastic at pulling off and ending the reader does not expect. Much like in the Bastard or Istanbul, I did not see the conclusion of this book coming. There was sadness and loss to it, but there was also a great deal of beauty and hope. The overall message is conveyed beautifully in the last chapters of the book. The death of both Shams and Aziz, as well as the inspiration they give to their loved ones is painful yet exquisite to behold.
The book also reaches out to you at times, and you feel some of the forty rules could apply to yourself. The author has a gift of expressing things in such a way that the reader identifies with what is being written. At times, they can see themself looking back at them from the page.
On many levels this book was satisfying, but in others it does fall short. I don't think the author ever quite achieves what she is striving for. However talent, skill and sensitivity are displayed throughout.
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book, but there were also severl detractors. The book is full of wisdom, hope, love, courage and inspiration. It also shows us the darker side of humanity, the pitfalls of ignorance, fear, and mob mentality. Friendship can be deep and meaningful, love is worth finding and living for. There is a tranquility about the book at times, and Shams' rules have a beauty and depth all their own. There are lessons to be learned in this book. The problems arise for me in the multi-character perspective. It's always a really tricky thing to pull off and can be great when done well, but it can really affect a story when not done well. Add to that the fact the book is also dealing with past and present and the challenge becomes even greater. Unfortunately it all seems too much for the book to carry.
The story lines of each character aren't consistent in strength. Some are extremely interesting and you hunger more of them, others were decidedly weak. I wanted to read more of Ella, for example. Her story was fascinating; the realization that her life while seemingly perfect had become stagnant. Realizing what she wanted out of life had changed and she was no longer willing to settle. However, all the reader got were brief glimpses. Her story never seemed to develop fully or in enough detail. She was evolving and I really wanted to see that process. I actually found myself skipping ahead at times to her sections of the book. Shams himself was an interesting character as well, and we did get to see his effect on those around him through the eyes of other characters, but I found his story line lacking as well.
Some of the characters were very weak, and seemed to be more of a detractor or distraction from the story itself. New characters continued to be intoduced right up until the end. They seemed to be in the way of the portions of the book that mattered. There was a real sense of unbalance to the book. This lack of equality in the various story lines and the constant back and forth also seemed to stunt the progression of the book. You can tell there is supposed to be a flow, from perspective to perspective, past to future, despair to hope; unfortunately it just doesnt' happen seamlessly. There is and abruptness to the change between characters and story lines that makes it hard to get lost in the story.
The lack of time each character gets per chapter and in the story overall, doesn't allow for the relationships to develop the depth they are supposed to have. We're told of this profound relationship betweenm Rumi and Shams, or the deep love between Ella and Aziz. However the material we're given doesn't seem substantial enough to support the gravity of these relationships. I didn't get a good sense of what Shams and Rumi identified with in one another, or why Ella came to love Aziz enough to leave her family behind. It just seemed as if one minute each party met, they conversed or exchanged emails, and the next none of them could live without one another. I think the author would have been far better served by focusing on the principal characters, and perhaps pruning out a few of the minor ones. The book would have benefited with a more focused approach, especially with the changes between past and future going on.
I will say Shafak is fantastic at pulling off and ending the reader does not expect. Much like in the Bastard or Istanbul, I did not see the conclusion of this book coming. There was sadness and loss to it, but there was also a great deal of beauty and hope. The overall message is conveyed beautifully in the last chapters of the book. The death of both Shams and Aziz, as well as the inspiration they give to their loved ones is painful yet exquisite to behold.
The book also reaches out to you at times, and you feel some of the forty rules could apply to yourself. The author has a gift of expressing things in such a way that the reader identifies with what is being written. At times, they can see themself looking back at them from the page.
On many levels this book was satisfying, but in others it does fall short. I don't think the author ever quite achieves what she is striving for. However talent, skill and sensitivity are displayed throughout.
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Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2012)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010
Physical description
7.8 x 0.87 inches
ISBN
9780241972939
Other editions
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Safak (Paperback)