paperback, 288 pages
Published Sept. 8, 2011 by Viking.
The Forty Rules of Love unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives—one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz—that together explore the enduring power of Rumi's work.
Ella Rubenstein is forty 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's 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, that 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 …
The Forty Rules of Love unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives—one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz—that together explore the enduring power of Rumi's work.
Ella Rubenstein is forty 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's 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, that 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.
Incredibly beautiful, insightful and overall enjoyable book. If you are captivated by Rumi, read. If you are not, you're in for a treat to understand Sufism and the making of one of most famous spiritual poets.
Schönes Buch über Rumi und seinen Freund Shams von Tabriz. Ich finde es nur schade, dass die Beziehung nie als eine erotische dargestellt wird, sondern nur rein spirituell.
Abandoned ~p.100. The main protagonist is flat, dreary, and unlikely to get interesting. The alternate-chapter Whirling Dervish stuff is treacly and religiony. Absent a recommendation from a trusted source, this goes in the slush pile. For any friends who trust my tastes: not recommended.
