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  • The Forty Rules of Love

  • A Novel of Rumi
  • Written by: Elif Shafak
  • Narrated by: Laural Merlington
  • Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (137 ratings)

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The Forty Rules of Love cover art

The Forty Rules of Love

Written by: Elif Shafak
Narrated by: Laural Merlington
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Publisher's Summary

In this follow-up to her acclaimed 2007 novel The Bastard of Istanbul, Turkish author Elif Shafak unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives---one contemporary and the other set in the 13th century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz---that together incarnate the poet's timeless message of love.

Ella Rubenstein is 40 years old and unhappily married when she takes a job as a reader for a literary agent. Her first assignment is to read and report on Sweet Blasphemy, a novel written by a man named Aziz Zahara. Ella is mesmerized by his tale of Shams' search for Rumi and the dervish's role in transforming the successful but unhappy cleric into a committed mystic, passionate poet, and advocate of love. She is also taken with Shams's lessons, or rules, which offer insight into an ancient philosophy based on the unity of all people and religions, and the presence of love in each and every one of us. As she reads on, she realizes that Rumi's story mirrors her own and that Zahara---like Shams---has come to set her free.

©2010 Elif Shafek (P)2010 Tantor

What listeners say about The Forty Rules of Love

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A look with in !

Only my personal opinion! This book captivates you by a bunch of little stories with in. All trying to understand Love! the author does an amazing job keeping you interested not wanting to put the book down or turn off the audiobook. For me a seeker of divine wisdom am very satisfied with what I have learned from this book :) I hope you enjoy it in the same way!.

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A good read but won’t wow you!

It’s a good read and it kind of itches you in all the right places but then that's it. It leaves. It touches on many deep questions and then without delving any deeper, it leaves the reader wondering. For example it touches on the love between Rumi and Shams but the only description given is that “ we are one!” How or why is not given. Then it touches on the whirling dance of the dervishes and then provides no further info or description. Then it touches upon the literal and Sufi interpretation of Quran and apart from a couple of superficial examples, it says nothing else. It starts every topic in a promising way and then leaves you empty and insatiated. I heard very rave reviews but am left unimpressed. Otherwise it’s a good light read. It’s not a waste of your few hours but it won’t wow you!

PS: I found the narrator’s voice not so appealing especially in the beginning. A little on the irritating side!

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing Story for Lovers of Sufism

Strongly recommend this book to all Rumi fans and lovers of Sufism. The parallel modern story of Ella and Aziz is fascinating. A true masterpiece.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • TA
  • 2019-01-27

Grounding.

connecting to a higher self,living easier and happier feeling uniting with past and future and present (hopping).

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Liked the story hated the narration.

I really hated the way Aziz’s character was narrated. He sounded Irish sometimes. I think it’s better to just not include any accents especially if the person is not a native speaker

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Limitless inspiration

Amazing book full of wisdom
Enlightenment into the true meaning of humanity and existential purpose

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I love love

I have read this book before- it is a beautiful story pregnant with meaning- several layers of it. I listened to it now on audible 3 years after having read it. The narrator does it justice. This is a book to be read more than once for it shall mean different things to you in various seasons of life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

life changing

read it in Arabic and English before the audio, made me cry everytime., with joy and anticipation never in regret or fear. live love laugh lots and be blessed. the narrator SHOULD know Arabic as she butchered keys words

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Captivating...

I love the way two parallel narratives are juxtaposed and how one situation made me understand the other even though they are centuries apart. The rules of love emerge from distinct situations as the stories progress and invite you to think, think deeply to discover yourself.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful

I loved the story, and I loved the narrator. She did such a great job telling the story. The book wasn’t normally a book I would’ve read. It was a recommendation from a new friend. I’m glad I read it, and I think I’ll read it again soon. Thanks, Faraz for suggesting I read it, and thank you for your help and support through my recent transition and hole in my life.

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