The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak
In the book ‘Forty Rules of Love’, author Elif traverses the complex terrain of Islamic mysticism with ease and grace. Intertwining two stories, Ella, a 21st-century mother of three facing a grave marital and personal life crisis with that of Rumi a 13th-century mystic and poet who lived in Konya (modern-day Turkey), Forty Rules of Love is a tale of immeasurable passion, ecstasy, and reckless abandon of comfort and familiarity in pursuit of the purest of emotions.
Ella, who is in a loveless and painful marriage takes on a job as a literary agent and her very first book is ‘Sweet Blasphemy’ book about Rumi and his transformation from a very academic-like knowledgeable and wise man to that of a mystic and lover after his meeting with his master, Shams Tabrizi. Shams frequently challenges the status quo at that time, breaking social taboos, and eventually works his way to his calling in life, meeting Rumi.
This is a story of the love in a relationship that has had almost no space in the literary world of the West, between teacher and student. Eulogized in some Easter spiritual works, the relationship between Rumi and Shams is one of respect, reverence, and mutual dependence. The material world and its social constructs dissipate around them setting off a chain of events that ultimately transforms Rumi into the King of Kings and a master lover.
As the novel progresses, Ella learns from these stories of Rumi and Shams, drawing inspiration and hope from them in her own life and her own challenges. In the end, much like Rumi and Shams, Ella adopts a more purpose-filled passionate path following her intuition and dreams in the face of danger.
Elif weaves a beautiful tapestry in describing the medieval Islamic world and her unique yet simple vocabulary almost transforms the world around the reader. Situations and circumstances are described almost flawlessly and although multiple stories are taking place concurrently, it really isn’t a mind-bender. The narration is elegant and the characters are fully thought through. All in all, it makes for a fascinating read and is a good fictional introduction to Sufism.
“ A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western. Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple. Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire! The universe turns differently when fire loves water.” — Rumi
Rumi is also one of the most popular poets in the world and his work ‘The Mathnawi’ is considered one of the most authoritative pieces of literature on Sufism.
Originally published at http://alternateviewspodcast.ca on February 27, 2021.
