Many have heard Elif Shafak speak on TED and become inspired but not many read this book
The Forty Rules of Love
by Elif Shafak
229 Pages, Penguin Group
Genre: Fiction
Ella
Rubinstein, a loving mother of three and wife for forty years files for divorce
suddenly after she reads a manuscript called "Sweet Blasphemy" by
A.A. Zahara sent to the literary agency where she works. Is it possible to fall
in love via email, so much so that you are willing to risk it all? What
triggers Ella who leaves her husband and grown up children and her comfortable
home, family and friends – to leave everything and everyone and move out of her
comfort zone though she still loves them? What are the forty rules of love?
Elif Shafak asks and answers these questions and much more in her beautifully
written novel, "The Forty Rules of Love."
From Baghdad of
the 13th century to Massachusetts of the 21st century, the author flits in and
out narrating a wonderful tale that holds true for today. As readers, we are
made to realize not much has changed in 800 years in the mental makeup of the
people of the world. In fact, we need the forty rules of love now more than
ever as religiosity and spirituality are assumed to be the same when it is not.
Elif Shafak is
a Turkish American author. Her writing style is smart as the story is narrated
with a varying pace – it slows down when you need to reflect and picks up speed
when you wish to learn what happened next! It is almost like the author is
there helping you as you read her book. The multiple points of view of the
characters doesn’t confuse the reader and works to advance the story providing
insights that are unique.
This is an
inspiring book for all people from any part of the world as it breaks down
barriers and brings in better understanding. I cannot think of a better way to
start the New Year except by reading this book.
© 2014 by Deepa
Kandaswamy
