A beautifully written novel that blends spiritual insight with storytelling. The parallel narratives - Rumi and Shams in the 13th century and Ella in the modern day - explore love, faith, and transformation. The historical storyline is especially powerful, though the contemporary plot is a little bit predictable. Still, Shafak’s prose is lyrical and thought-provoking making this a soulful, inspiring read.

This is a book of two stories. One about Ella Rubenstein who is unhappily married and currently working on reviewing a book called "Sweet Blasphemy" and develops an email relationship with Aziz. Z Zahara, the author. The other story is about the book which explores the relationship between dervish Shams of Tabriz and scholar and poet Rami in thirteenth century Turkey.
There is no doubt that Elif Shafak writes poetically but I wanted to hear more of the story of Ellie and Aziz

I enjoyed the historical elements of this book and the unfolding stories of love throughout. I’ve listened to two other books of Shafak and I loved listening to them, I think I would have got on better with an audio version of this book. It was quite a complicated read going for historical to present day chapters, chapters were also written from different perspectives. It was great to read about a historical time of which I knew very little. It’s a very beautiful book which I think Shafak has a gift with words to create the books she has.

An interesting and thoughtful read about friendship, love and finding yourself. Another masterpiece by a great author.

This is a fascinating novel, told in two distinct timelines, each one with their own distinctive and appropriate "voice". I think of it as metafiction: the reader learns about mystical thought in the thirteenth century in tandem with the main present-day protagonist, Ella, as she reviews a book for a publishing house. The novel is complex, considering events and emotions from the points of view of two very different cultures hundreds of years apart, and shows how the power of love can transcend everything wherever and whenever people live.

I didn't enjoy this as much as some of her other books. I didn't feel the modern day part of the book was particularly believable and although the story of Rumi and Shams was good I didn't enjoy the characters. Thanks to to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I've read a couple of Elif Shafak's books in the past and really enjoyed them, so I went into this one with high hopes.
However, this one just wasn't for me. While the writing style is good, I personally didn't enjoy the story. I found the historical sections to be a bit boring, and I didn't like the modern section much at all.
Overall, it was just ok.

Told over a dual timeline, hundreds of years apart.
To the outside world, Ella Rubinstein appears to have it all, a loving family and a comfortable lifestyle.
But she no longer loves her husband and is bored with her life. In order to find herself, she starts working for a literary agency. She is given a manuscript of ‘Sweet Blasphemy’ by A Z Zahara to read and review and her life is turned upside down as she embarks on a journey to meet this mysterious author.

We are transported back to the thirteenth-century and learn about the Sufi poet Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, and his forty rules of life and love.
The book goes back and forth between their lives and explores love.
Beautifully written and thought provoking, I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

No my favourite of her books, as I found it wandered a bit too much into Sufism, whereas I wanted more of Ella and Aziz. But beautifully written as expected and fascinating in many ways. Made me want to learn more about Rumi and Shams of Tabriz.

This has to be one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read. It is profound, mesmerising & extremely evocative. I was completely and utterly captivated.

I can’t even begin to explain why I loved this book so much but the few words I can manage are that the writing and storytelling is exquisite, the characters stole my heart and it made me look at love, religion and spirituality in a completely different way. It truly is beautiful.

I was worried that the historical narrative would be too complicated for me to follow (I doubt my own intelligence) but following Shams of Tabriz and the many other delightful characters was my favourite part.

My final thoughts are:
I wish I had Sweet Blasphemy to guide me through my life however, I will be reading Rumi’s poetry. And I’d love to travel to the Tree of the Brokenhearted. ♥️

This is re-released today (July 3rd) with a gorgeous new cover and once I have a physical copy, I’ll update with my favourite quotes.

Thank you so much, Penguin & NetGalley, for introducing me to a phenomenal author who I am sure will become a new favourite.

I have read and enjoyed so many books by this author but this one was not for me. It was beautifully written but I felt no affinity with the story or the characters. I thought it was because of the dual timeline originally but even if I read the timelines separately, I still don’t think I would enjoy the novel.

I think I will have to chalk this one up as a not for me

Elif Shafak is as talented with words as Rumi, the poet of love. Her beautiful, enchanting prose is rich with meaning and generosity of spirit. In The Forty Rules of Love, on the 15th anniversary of its publication, I finally read this wonderful novel. There are two stories running in parallel. In one we have Ella, an unhappy housewife in modern day. In the other we follow the story of thirteenth-century Sufi poet, Rumi, and his spiritual mentor, a wandering Dervish, Shams of Tabriz.

There is so much to unpack in this novel. A better understanding of religion and the similarities between Christianity and Muslim faiths, charity, kindness, humility, human nature, fear, envy and most of all love. As Rumi writes, and our skilled authoress expresses within her text, "Love will find its way through all languages on its own." This is a novel about the power of love to overcome and heal all things. As with all novels I have read by Elif Shafak, the beauty of love and its ability to transform us is the core element of the story. I was touched by Forty Rules and feel lightened by it. Very pleased to have read this at last, it carries messages important for everyone.

It's both a beautiful and lyrical book about love - between friends, family, and lovers.
I feel like I've learned not just about emotions, love and joy but also sorrow and jealousy - but also so much more; everything has been so wonderfully researched that I now know about the history of Rumi and Shams, and the world they lived in

Elif Shafak’s The Forty Rules of Love is a bold, soul-searching novel that bridges past and present to explore how love—true, radical, transformative love—can shake a life to its core. ✨

At the heart of the story is Ella Rubinstein, a quiet housewife whose world is cracked open by a manuscript about the poet Rumi and his spiritual companion, Shams of Tabriz. As she becomes immersed in their story, Ella is drawn into her own internal awakening—one that challenges her beliefs, her comfort, and her identity.

Shafak’s dual narrative structure is ambitious, yet graceful. The 13th-century thread—filled with lyrical prose, philosophical depth, and Sufi wisdom—counters Ella’s contemporary storyline in poignant ways. Some readers may find the spiritual themes heavy-handed at times, but others will be enchanted by the novel’s meditation on love as a sacred, disruptive force.

While not a conventional romance, this is a novel that asks big questions and answers them with heart. It’s about connection, meaning, surrender, and change—and how love, in all its forms, can transform us if we’re brave enough to let it.

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ — Thoughtful, poetic, and deeply human. An inspiring read for those drawn to literary fiction with spiritual and emotional resonance.

Beautifully written but the stories felt a bit disjointed at times.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

I have enjoyed a few of Elif's books and was intrigued by the premise of this one. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I found it really difficult to get into and wasn't interested at all in the main character.

Beautiful writing, but just not engaging or believable enough for me - sorry!

What an astounding and beautiful book this is! It is written in two parallel timelines, several centuries apart and tells the story of the dervish and mystic Shams of Tabriz, including his deep relationship with the poet Sumi, and American housewife Ella, who comes across a modern day version of Shams through her work. There are many characters in the book and with some similar names it could be a bit confusing, but concentration is rewarded as each individual character has a perfectly formed story to tell. The book focuses on love, both human and divine and has much to teach modern readers about tolerance and the dangers of a lack of it. Shafak’s research is meticulous and the writing has a gentle flow, leading the reader onwards. This book is surely one for the big literary prizes this year!

A truly captivating read that held my attention from page 1 and didn't let it go until the final page. Brilliant craftsmanship and enchanting world building are two stand out features.

A book that received critical acclaim when first published. Told in a dual time line about awakening and realisation to move forward and change your life

A timeless story of spiritual love and an education in history and Sufiism

What I love so much about Elif Shafak is that she combines history and fiction so well. She educates gently, particularly regarding the understanding of religion, whilst all the time writing heartfeltly and poetically. She is now one of my all time favourite authors.

The story follows Ella Rubenstein, an American Housewife that finds herself at a loss in her marriage and life. She starts to work for a publishing house and is given the manuscript of ‘Sweet Blasphemy by Aziz Z Zahara’, to read and write a report on.

As she reads, she is transported into the lives of Shams of Tabriz, a Sufi and wandering dervish, and his role and interaction with Rumi, a popular cleric, orator and spokesperson. Through the eyes and words of many, including a leper, a prostitute, and a drunkard (who I loved by the way), we see when Shams and Rumi meet and how it is Shams’s destiny to turn Rumi into a legendary poet. Plus, the exploration and understanding of The Forty Rules of Love and the inevitable impact this has on Rumi’s family, neighbours and townspeople surrounding him.

Sweet Blasphemy, is cleverly written as a book within a book, following Shams and Rumi in the thirteenth century, and switching to Ella in the twenty first century and her connection and feelings that develop for Aziz.

I struggled slightly to connect with Ella as she was very different to me but could understand her loneliness within her household, that was conveyed well. It was good to see the connection between Aziz and Ella developing through their correspondence and see Ella’s understanding of Sufiism develop and continue within her.

I love how Elif Shafak has brought both Shams and Rumi to life. Then so cleverly shows the differences within religion, together with all the subsequently generated philosophical arguments.

Some of the beautiful phrases and rules I have taken to heart:

“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person and after we loved, that means we haven’t loved enough.”

“Just as clay needs to go through intense heat to become strong, Love can only be perfected in pain.”

“You care too much about what other people think. But you know what? Because you are so desperate to win the approval of others, you’ll never get rid of their criticisms, no matter how hard you try.”

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than one to come?”

An interesting read, rather than a love story. There is much thought provoking content, mystical, religious and spiritual, the elements of which will sit with me for some time. Not a quick read, but well worth it. Well recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hamish Hamilton, Viking, Penguin Life, Penguin Business and Elif Shafak for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be re-published on 3 July 2025.