I have read and enjoyed so many books by this author but this one was not for me. It was beautifully written but I felt no affinity with the story or the characters. I thought it was because of the dual timeline originally but even if I read the timelines separately, I still don’t think I would enjoy the novel.

I think I will have to chalk this one up as a not for me

Elif Shafak is as talented with words as Rumi, the poet of love. Her beautiful, enchanting prose is rich with meaning and generosity of spirit. In The Forty Rules of Love, on the 15th anniversary of its publication, I finally read this wonderful novel. There are two stories running in parallel. In one we have Ella, an unhappy housewife in modern day. In the other we follow the story of thirteenth-century Sufi poet, Rumi, and his spiritual mentor, a wandering Dervish, Shams of Tabriz.

There is so much to unpack in this novel. A better understanding of religion and the similarities between Christianity and Muslim faiths, charity, kindness, humility, human nature, fear, envy and most of all love. As Rumi writes, and our skilled authoress expresses within her text, "Love will find its way through all languages on its own." This is a novel about the power of love to overcome and heal all things. As with all novels I have read by Elif Shafak, the beauty of love and its ability to transform us is the core element of the story. I was touched by Forty Rules and feel lightened by it. Very pleased to have read this at last, it carries messages important for everyone.

It's both a beautiful and lyrical book about love - between friends, family, and lovers.
I feel like I've learned not just about emotions, love and joy but also sorrow and jealousy - but also so much more; everything has been so wonderfully researched that I now know about the history of Rumi and Shams, and the world they lived in

Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love is a bold, soul-searching novel that bridges past and present to explore how love—true, radical, transformative love—can shake a life to its core. ✨

At the heart of the story is Ella Rubinstein, a quiet housewife whose world is cracked open by a manuscript about the poet Rumi and his spiritual companion, Shams of Tabriz. As she becomes immersed in their story, Ella is drawn into her own internal awakening—one that challenges her beliefs, her comfort, and her identity.

Shafak’s dual narrative structure is ambitious, yet graceful. The 13th-century thread—filled with lyrical prose, philosophical depth, and Sufi wisdom—counters Ella’s contemporary storyline in poignant ways. Some readers may find the spiritual themes heavy-handed at times, but others will be enchanted by the novel’s meditation on love as a sacred, disruptive force.

While not a conventional romance, this is a novel that asks big questions and answers them with heart. It’s about connection, meaning, surrender, and change—and how love, in all its forms, can transform us if we’re brave enough to let it.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ — Thoughtful, poetic, and deeply human. An inspiring read for those drawn to literary fiction with spiritual and emotional resonance.

Beautifully written but the stories felt a bit disjointed at times.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

I have enjoyed a few of Elif's books and was intrigued by the premise of this one. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I found it really difficult to get into and wasn't interested at all in the main character.

Beautiful writing, but just not engaging or believable enough for me - sorry!

What an astounding and beautiful book this is! It is written in two parallel timelines, several centuries apart and tells the story of the dervish and mystic Shams of Tabriz, including his deep relationship with the poet Sumi, and American housewife Ella, who comes across a modern day version of Shams through her work. There are many characters in the book and with some similar names it could be a bit confusing, but concentration is rewarded as each individual character has a perfectly formed story to tell. The book focuses on love, both human and divine and has much to teach modern readers about tolerance and the dangers of a lack of it. Shafak’s research is meticulous and the writing has a gentle flow, leading the reader onwards. This book is surely one for the big literary prizes this year!

A truly captivating read that held my attention from page 1 and didn't let it go until the final page. Brilliant craftsmanship and enchanting world building are two stand out features.

A book that received critical acclaim when first published. Told in a dual time line about awakening and realisation to move forward and change your life

A timeless story of spiritual love and an education in history and Sufiism

What I love so much about Elif Shafak is that she combines history and fiction so well. She educates gently, particularly regarding the understanding of religion, whilst all the time writing heartfeltly and poetically. She is now one of my all time favourite authors.

The story follows Ella Rubenstein, an American Housewife that finds herself at a loss in her marriage and life. She starts to work for a publishing house and is given the manuscript of ‘Sweet Blasphemy by Aziz Z Zahara’, to read and write a report on.

As she reads, she is transported into the lives of Shams of Tabriz, a Sufi and wandering dervish, and his role and interaction with Rumi, a popular cleric, orator and spokesperson. Through the eyes and words of many, including a leper, a prostitute, and a drunkard (who I loved by the way), we see when Shams and Rumi meet and how it is Shams’s destiny to turn Rumi into a legendary poet. Plus, the exploration and understanding of The Forty Rules of Love and the inevitable impact this has on Rumi’s family, neighbours and townspeople surrounding him.

Sweet Blasphemy, is cleverly written as a book within a book, following Shams and Rumi in the thirteenth century, and switching to Ella in the twenty first century and her connection and feelings that develop for Aziz.

I struggled slightly to connect with Ella as she was very different to me but could understand her loneliness within her household, that was conveyed well. It was good to see the connection between Aziz and Ella developing through their correspondence and see Ella’s understanding of Sufiism develop and continue within her.

I love how Elif Shafak has brought both Shams and Rumi to life. Then so cleverly shows the differences within religion, together with all the subsequently generated philosophical arguments.

Some of the beautiful phrases and rules I have taken to heart:

“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person and after we loved, that means we haven’t loved enough.”

“Just as clay needs to go through intense heat to become strong, Love can only be perfected in pain.”

“You care too much about what other people think. But you know what? Because you are so desperate to win the approval of others, you’ll never get rid of their criticisms, no matter how hard you try.”

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than one to come?”

An interesting read, rather than a love story. There is much thought provoking content, mystical, religious and spiritual, the elements of which will sit with me for some time. Not a quick read, but well worth it. Well recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and Elif Shafak for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be re-published on 3 July 2025.

I find that with Elif Shafak's books I either love them or just can't get into them. Sadly this one falls into the latter category. This is a parallel story featuring Ella in the modern day and Rumi in the thirteenth century. Ella's story is told in the third person whilst the thirteenth century story is told from the first person perspective of a number of characters. The theme is love and it should have been an interesting read. Unfortunately, I found the switches between the various characters all very disjointed and confusing. The story didn't flow and I couldn't relate to any of the characters in the story. Ella's romance was poorly portrayed. A disappointing read.

Forty Rules of Love weaves together two stories set thousands of miles and many centuries apart.
Thankyou to Penguin General UK - Fig Tree, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business | Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC. My review is given voluntarily.
This is a beautifully written book. The cadence of Ellie's story captures the rhythms of modern life. The story of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz has an aptly poetical quality. I loved both strands of of the story equally, the contrast between the two and the way the author so deftly brings them together through themes that are universal across time and place. I learnt about Sufism and Rumi, subjects I would not have explored if it was not for this book. For this alone, the book was worth reading.
So who would enjoy this book? The Forty Rules of Love reminds me of Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell (my favourite book ever). Although Shafak's book is an easier read than Mitchell's, both use stories set in different times and places and told in different styles to explore the fundamental characteristics of mankind .

☪️ The Forty Rules Of Love ☪️

This is an arc review and this book releases July 3rd.

The Forty Rules of Love is a historical fiction novel that weaves together two parallel narratives, one set in the 13th century and the other in the 21st. Ella Rubinstein is a middle aged American housewife stuck in a loveless marriage until her life takes a turn when she begins reading a manuscript titled Sweet Blasphemy, written by a mysterious author. The manuscript tells the story of Rumi, the renowned Persian poet, and his transformative spiritual friendship with the wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz. Ella is drawn into the world of Sufism, a branch of Islam that emphasises love, tolerance, and spiritual awakening that leads Ella to begin to question her own life, beliefs, and emotional boundaries.

This was so beautifully written and different to anything I’ve read before. The writing was almost lyrical and the characters and story so rich and I loved how this was a novel inside a novel.

The Forty Rules of Love follows Ella Rubenstein, a married mother of three who lives a settled but unfulfilled life in suburbia. One day, she’s sent a manuscript to evaluate, telling the tale of the thirteenth-century Sufi poet Rumi and his bond with Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish who lives by the forty rules of life and love. Suddenly, everything comes into focus; Ella wants something more. She wants to find love again, leading her to connect with the author of the manuscript and embark on a deeply emotional journey.

Told by a rotating set of narrators, The Forty Rules of Love weaves a rich tapestry of the different kinds of love, guided by Shams’ forty rules. Alongside Ella’s story in modern day, we’re seamlessly transported back to thirteenth century Turkey to explore Shams’ journey to becoming the peaceful and wise dervish who enraptured Rumi. We also see through Rumi’s eyes as he learns to become something more than a scholar, as well as through the eyes of his family and the townsfolk of Konya, who each have their own complicated reactions to Shams’ sudden appearance in their lives.

With so many perspectives, it’d be easy to get lost, but Elif Shafak leads us with a steady hand. Her skillful blending of histories, lands, and cultures is captivating, and with The Forty Rules of Love, she paints Rumi’s life in vibrant hues. Rumi’s poems are legendary and much beloved, often emulated and passed through generations, but many of us may not know the profound relationship that shaped his voice. I certainly didn’t, and it gave me a whole new appreciation for Rumi’s poems; Shafak’s meticulous research and framing are as much a lesson in history as they are in humanity. She has a way of capturing the past through a delicate and compassionate lens and bringing it to the present in imaginative ways.

It doesn’t matter how brief a time each character may have to tell their slice of the story; they always manage to pull you into their thrall, even if their words are ones of violence. But the prevailing theme of love is never far from wrapping you up in its warm embrace, making your heart ache with a future you know is coming. Her lyrical yet unflinching prose sweeps you away through time and place to lay bare how human emotions connect us all.

As one of Shafak’s earlier novels, you can see the DNA of her narrative techniques that will one day trickle down into her later works; the melding of timelines, the stoic seeds of hope, the spiritualism on the quest for something greater than the self. Starting each chapter with the letter “b” in an homage to Sufism is a lovely touch and always grounds you within this story’s connection to its faith. Her explorations of spirituality and the religious practice of Sufism is beautiful and fascinating. And each drop of wisdom is soaked in everything that came before it, connecting intimately in ways that come together before you even realise what’s happening.

Whether you’re a longtime student of Shafak or you’re a newcomer like myself, The Forty Rules of Love is a magnificent tale to visit or revisit; in the fifteen years since it was published, the poignant themes and messaging seem more vital than ever. And it’s safe to say, no matter what stage you’re at in life, you’ll find that one of those rules of love will speak directly to your heart.

Two stories in two times and as is usually the case I found myself vastly preferring one timeline. In this book, the historical story of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. This part was beautifully told and was pieced together through many viewpoints giving a broad, balanced story. The direction the tale was going in was never in doubt, but the journey was wonderfully unfolded.

The modern part was thankfully shorter and whilst I see why it was there, and that each generation has its own version of Shams, it was a much less engaging and often irritating story. Ella was simply dull. Aziz, less so but as he was part of this section if the book he was also hurried through so I could get back to Shams. I suspect Elif Sharak didn’t like this part as much either as it didn’t feel it had her magical storytelling power applied!

Overall a good read but Ella lost it some stars for me. 3.5* rounded up.

Probably not many authors would attempt to write about Sufism interlaced with a tale of a finding love in modern day US. Ella is returning to work after having her 3 children and wanting to do something for herself. She is questioning her life and the concept of love and wondering, as we all do, is there something else out there. The first manuscript she receives is one about a Sufi poet Rumi and Shams of Tabriz from the 13th century with his forty rules of love. The story flits back and forth between the two strands and explores love. Exquisitely written and reminded me of Siddhartha and quite a prescient read in the current climate.

This book was an unexpected hit for me it really resonated and got inside my mind. Loved the flow of the story and the characters really stuck in my mind. This was a high star rate read for me and recommend to everyone to give it a try!

Over the last few years Elif Shafak has become one of the most celebrated writers writing novels of beauty and depth and multi layered with historical and cultural reflection and meaning.

The Forty Rules of Love was first published in 2011 and is now being republished.

What a beautiful story exploring faith, personal development and the ultimately love.

Ella Rubenstein has the perfect life- or so it appears from the outside- a successful husband, three children ,a wonderful home, works part time for a publisher and a supposedly full life - but upon the arrival of pre published manuscript by an unknown author known as Aziz, Ella's life begins to change as she reflects upon what is love.

The manuscript she is reading tells the story of Shams of Tabriz- a travelling dervish /wiseman; a man with an aura of calm and deep reflection about life, religious differences and love living in the 13th century.

Life takes him to the home of Rumi ( the celebrated Persian poet ) who in his in Konya is a much admired orator to the local population; but the arrival of Shams changes Rumi's life and for the people around him to in dramatic ways

Elif Shafak is very much a modern day Sherherazade weaving tales of wisdom and deep thought throughout a wonderful novel as The Forty Rules of Love are revealed.. The prose is hypnotic and no reader can fail to personally reflect about themselves and their interaction with family and friends as well how religious groups fail to understand one another when love should be the goal for all.

In a world that feels so divided and polarised, this novel is as much needed in 2025 as it was in 2011- probably more so.

Now with wider acknowledgement, this republication should bring this book to a wider audience and consider to show the incredible writing of Elif Shafak

Thank you for the ARC from Netgalley and the publishers.

This is not my usual genre to read, but after falling in love with The Island of Missing Trees, I couldn’t wait to dive into another of Elif Shafak’s books. The Forty Rules of Love did not disappoint. This is seriously book hangover worthy.

This novel is beautiful in so many ways. It’s like two books in one, with parallel stories unfolding simultaneously: one set in the 13th century following the spiritual bond between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, and the other set in the modern day, following Ella, a woman whose life begins to transform as she reads about theirs. The way these narratives are woven together is just beyond clever.

It’s complex, rich, and written so well that I had to pause to savour the lines and highlight them to save for later. Shafak captures the depth of love, life, and faith in a way that’s impossible to summarise in a review - that’s probably the point. I feel this story on the feel that be explained.

This book will stay with me for a long time, and I’ll be highly recommending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin General UK - Fig Tree for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Elif Shafak is a brilliant author who clearly puts a lot of research and love into all her books. I have enjoyed several of her more recent books so was intrigued to pick this one up. Unfortunately it didn't have the same impact as other books I have read by this author although that may be a right book wrong time from me and I hope to pick it up again in the future when in the right mood for this type of book. Nevertheless this is clearly very well written and has a lot of interesting points to make on culture and spirituality.