The forty rules of Love by Elif Shafak is a contemporary fiction read, French born Turkish writer Elif Shafak is one of the most acknowledged and bravest of the authors and feminist in Turkey. It is published by penguin publishing house. The main characters in this book are Ella, Shams of Tabriz and Rumi.
East, west, south or north makes little difference. No matter what your destination, just make sure that every journey is a journey within. If you'll travel within, you'll travel the whole wide world and beyond. -- One of the rules by Shams.
Ella Rubenstein, an unhappy forty-year old housewife with a cheating husband and three children; always the kind of person your mother would approve of! She couldn’t comprehend why she had these misgivings. Over the time, she has grown complacent with her agonized life, giving up on love and hope. She continues to lead her day-to-day life, drowning herself with household chores and avoiding conflicts.
Being a housewife for several years, her life finally takes a turn when she must review a book – ‘Sweet Blasphemy’, as a part of her new job’s obligations, as a literary reviewer. Ever since she read the first sentence, the book binds her as its own. She sets the ball rolling with a series of heartfelt conversations through emails with none other than the author Aziz Zahara himself.
The writer nailed it in narrating the sweet blasphemy the way it was shown from many perspectives sometimes from the perspective of shams, sometimes a beggar, sometimes zealot or Rumi or prostitute or even the family of Rumi. That really shows the picture of what was actually happening, the love of Rumi for Shams and the hatred of the townspeople and Rumi's family towards Shams.
Set in the 13th century, it portrays the journey of a rather famous pair – Shams of Tabriz and Rumi.
Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish and thorough Sufi, frames the forty rules of love which he imparts to fellow Sufi enthusiasts. By virtue of his gift of having visions about future, he foresees his own death. He decides to pass on his wisdom to someone at par with him, someone as soulful and in love as he is.
He travels all the way to Baghdad to find Rumi, a cleric with an unsettled soul. On the course of his imparting knowledge, he faces hatred and disappointment from other people, especially Rumi’s family. Despite all odds and dangers, he shows the path of light and love to Rumi. Thus attributing to his becoming one of the most sought-after Sufi and poet of all times.
This is a recommended read for all poetry aficionados and Rumi admirers like me. This one’s for the soul! And as for now reading and realizing about Rumi and his poetry it was really good to know how he became a good poet and knowing the person who was behind it 'SHAMS OF TABRIZ' .
Hope you enjoyed reading this post! Stay tuned for the next.
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