THE FORTY RULES OF LOVE
Elif Shafak
Penguin Viking, $39, pbk
It is a pity the title sounds so silly.
While this novel does indeed present, through the course of its telling, all 40 rules, using that expression belittles the significance of them while giving the book a feeling of light chick-lit.
And I'm not here to dissuade you that the book isn't in that category, but it is a bit deeper than the average offering from the genre.
Sweet Blasphemy by A. Z. Zahara is the first assignment given to Ella, a bored housewife, who decides to become a reader for a literary agency to offer her days more challenge than finding ever more elaborate menus to create for her three oblivious children and her successful but philandering husband.
The style of the novel is to switch between Ella and her daily experiences coping with her life, and Sweet Blasphemy, which is set in 1244.
Each chapter moves the story along from the point of view of a single character so there is a sense of energy throughout the novel.
Zahara writes a fascinating historical account of Shams of Tabriz seeking and finding Rumi, who will become his companion and, for lack of a better word, soul-mate.
Shams can be given the credit for transforming Rumi from a scholar into the man best known for his Persian love poetry.
But their early days were challenging, particularly to Rumi's sons.
And if we can believe Wikipedia, the novel is based on the true story.
Scattered throughout the tale are the 40 rules, which Shams explains and interprets to all manner of people with whom he mingles.
Here is a man completely unafraid of public opinion - he is a whirling dervish who responds from the heart.
Ella decides to get in touch with the author and they correspond by email.
Zahara admits that he models his own life on that of Shams.
You can probably guess how it ends so I don't want to spoil a predicable ending any more than I've already done!
Elif Shafak has written two other novels and with this one she offers a charming book and an easy read.
I learned a bit about history and found a few of the "rules" particularly worthy of reflection, such as:
"The universe is one being.
"Everything and everyone is interconnected through an invisible web of stories.
"Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all in silent communication.
"Do no harm. Practise compassion.
"And do not gossip behind anyone's back - not even a seemingly innocent remark!
"The words that come out of our mouths do not vanish but are perpetually stored in infinite space, and they will come back to us in due time. One man's pain will hurt us all.
"One man's joy will make everyone smile."
• Kathy Young is a Dunedin writer.
