51 pages • 1 hour read
The Forty Rules of Love
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Book Brief
359
Novel • Fiction
Konya, Turkey • 13th century
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak intertwines the story of Ella Rubinstein, a discontented housewife, and her transformative journey sparked by reading a manuscript about the 13th-century Sufi dervish Shams of Tabriz and the poet Rumi. As Ella delves into their spiritual bond and teachings, she begins to reevaluate her own life and seeks a more passionate existence. Includes themes of terminal illness and death.
Inspirational
Romantic
Mysterious
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
200,713 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak intertwines a modern-day love story with the historical bond between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, earning praise for its poetic language and spiritual depth. Criticisms target its predictable plot and occasionally didactic tone, but it remains celebrated for its rich cultural exploration and emotional resonance.
Who Should Read The Forty Rules of Love?
An ideal reader for Elif Shafak's The Forty Rules of Love enjoys deeply reflective and spiritual narratives with intertwining historical and contemporary storylines. Fans of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist or Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner will find this book’s exploration of Sufism and transformative love appealing.
200,713 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
359
Novel • Fiction
Konya, Turkey • 13th century
2009
Adult
18+ years
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