The Forty Rules of Love is a novel by the Turkish writer Alif Shafak, published after her novel The Bastard of Istanbul. In this novel, the author narrates two parallel stories, one in contemporary times and the other in the thirteenth century, when Rumi confronted his spiritual guide, the traveling dervish known as “Shams of Tabriz,” and how they... Together they embodied the eternal message of love poetry.
First story
The first story takes place in the contemporary city of Istanbul, about an American girl named “Juliet” who goes to Turkey with her husband “Perry” on a medical trip for her mother. Juliet feels sad and lost in her life. She feels that her husband does not care about her, and that her life has no meaning.
One night, Juliet meets an old man named Salman, a guard at the Shams of Tabriz cemetery. Salman gives her a letter from Shams of Tabriz, containing 40 rules of love.
Juliet begins to apply Shams of Tabriz's rules, and her life begins to change. She learns to love herself, open her heart to others, and live in the moment.
The second story
The second story takes place in the thirteenth century, about Jalal al-Din Rumi, a Sufi theologian and poet. Rumi meets Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish, and they form a strong friendship.
Shams of Tabriz teaches Rumi about divine love, and helps him overcome obstacles in his life. Rumi's relationship with Shams of Tabriz becomes a spiritual love relationship, and this helps them achieve perfection.
First story
The first story takes place in the contemporary city of Istanbul, about an American girl named “Juliet” who goes to Turkey with her husband “Perry” on a medical trip for her mother. Juliet feels sad and lost in her life. She feels that her husband does not care about her, and that her life has no meaning.
One night, Juliet meets an old man named Salman, a guard at the Shams of Tabriz cemetery. Salman gives her a letter from Shams of Tabriz, containing 40 rules of love.
Juliet begins to apply Shams of Tabriz's rules, and her life begins to change. She learns to love herself, open her heart to others, and live in the moment.
The second story
The second story takes place in the thirteenth century, about Jalal al-Din Rumi, a Sufi theologian and poet. Rumi meets Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish, and they form a strong friendship.
Shams of Tabriz teaches Rumi about divine love, and helps him overcome obstacles in his life. Rumi's relationship with Shams of Tabriz becomes a spiritual love relationship, and this helps them achieve perfection.
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