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RUNNING HEAD: BOOK REVIEW 1

Book Review: Forty Rules of Love


BOOK REVIEW 2

Ella Rubenstein, a forty-year-old housewife with three kids and an irresponsible husband,

is typically the sort of lady that everyone likes. She couldn't figure out why she was anxious. She

has given up on love and hope as she has become accustomed to her terrible life. She goes about

her regular business, immersing herself in household chores and averting conflict. The themes

identified in this book are the following: love, spiritual, history, and the pain.

Her life changes after a few years as a wife until she is expected to review the book

"Sweet Blasphemy" as part of her new job requirements as a literary critic. She has been the

book's guarantee ever since she read the first line. She provides a series of fervent and

impassioned letters written by the author, Aziz Zaharra. It takes place in the 13th century and

tells the story of Shams of Tabriz and Rumi's journey (Hermansen et al., 2014).

The forty laws of love were developed by Shams of Tabriz, a traveling dervish and

passionate Sufi, and are taught to other Sufi specialists (Hermansen et al., 2014). Because of his

ability to look into the future and recognize what lies ahead, he foretells his own demise. He

prefers to share his wisdom with someone who is on par with him, who is equally spiritual and

filled with love.

He travels all the way to Baghdad in search of Rumi, a troubled-spirited preacher. He

encounters anger and disappointment from others while imparting wisdom, especially from

Rumi's family. He shows Rumi the path of light and love despite all the challenges and dangers,

making him one of the most sought-after Sufis and poets ever.

Feminist activist Shafak promises that her female characters are the most impressive and

compelling. Outstandingly polyphonic, the 13th-century plot introduces us to a variety of


BOOK REVIEW 3

viewpoints on those in our immediate surroundings, not just the Shams of Tabriz, such as those

of a barren prostitute, a leper by the side of the road, or a novice intern at a madrassa.

The plots of the 13th century and present times, which are recognized as the era of social

unrest and disagreement over other people's religious beliefs, have symbolic similarities. Ella's

story is certainly the weaker of the two because only Ella's ideas and none of the other people in

her life are mentioned. Anyone who appreciates poetry and respects Rumi, as I do, should read

this. This is for the soul!


BOOK REVIEW 4

Reference

Hermansen, M., Tajadod, N., & Shafak, E. (2014). Review of Rumi: The Fire of Love;

The Forty Rules of Love. Mawlana Rumi Review, 5, 204–207.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/26810338.

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