A Book Critique: "40 Rules of Love" By Elif Shafak

The Forty Rules of Love is a book written by Elif Shafkm, it was published in February18th, 2010 by Viking Adult. Elif Shafak is a female Turkish writer who was born in 25 October 1971. She is a very popular, unique, and brave author in Turkey, and her book Forty Rules of Love novel is one of her best seller. The book has two parallel narratives. The first one is in the modern world which is about Ella the unhappy married housewife who works in a literary agency. Ella was given a book named "Sweet Blasphemy" by Aziz Zahara which is the second narrative in the novel that took place in the thirteenth century.

Ella –who is the first Protagonist in the novel- is a Jewish unhappy housewife living in Northampton, Massachusetts with three kids and an unfaithful husband. Ella started to work in literary agency, so she can feel valuable again. The agency gave her a book named "Sweet Blasphemy" by Aziz Zahara. Sweet Blasphemy is a book about a Sufi dervish named Shams of Tabriz-the second protagonist- who is looking for a companion to whom he can share his knowledge with. While Ella was reading the book, she was emailing Aziz Zahra-who is the author of the novel she is reading- and started to fall in love with him without considering her kids or her husband. Eventually, Ella left her boring life in Northampton, so she can be with Aziz Zahra.

Elif Shafak is a very talented and dexterous author. I enjoyed every single second reading this book. Her figurative language is absolutely marvelous, and she latterly took me to the world where the novel settled. Also, what I found very interesting is the way she was moving in both different periods -which are the thirteenth century and twentieth century-in the novel. In addition, the points of view in the novel were very extraordinary because it were variety, sometimes from Shams’s view , sometimes from Rumi’s sometimes from a vantage seller or even Rumi’s sons. Also, the feeling she gave me while I was reading this novel, especially the part of the strong relationship between Shams of Tabriz and Rumi. Also, the forty rules of love that were told by Shams of Tabriz are very meaningful and soulful. For example, “If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be loved. Once you achieve that stage, however, be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses.” –(Shafak_2010, page 135). On the other hand, there are a few things that I didn’t like about this novel which is the story of Ella. Elif described and wrote the events in the thirteenth century accurately, but she was not that specified when she was writing about Ella and her family. Still, I am amazed and in love with this novel.

To conclude, I highly recommend this novel, especially if you are into cultures and religions. Also, the forty rules of love that were told by Shams will open a new chapter in your life. And believe me it will be a chapter full of love and satisfaction. Elif wrote a piece of art that will always be remembered by so many of her readers. I have already read this novel twice, and I will probably give it a third time.