I confess that I haven’t yet read this book, but I read Shafak’s previous book, The Bastard of Istanbul, which was excellent. Here’s the description of The Forty Rules of Love:
A mesmerizing tale of love-from the author of The Bastard of Istanbul
Elif Shafak, the most widely read female writer in Turkey, has earned a growing fan base all over the world with her bestselling The Bastard of Istanbul. In The Forty Rules of Love, her lyrical, imaginative new novel about the famous Sufi mystic Rumi, Shafak effortlessly blends East and West, past and present, to create a dramatic, compelling, and exuberant tale about how love works in the world. Shafak unfolds two parallel narratives-one set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the wandering dervish known as Shams of Tabriz, and one contemporary, as an unhappy American housewife, inspired by Rumi’s message of love, finds the courage to transform her life.
Anyway, I’ve got an extra copy of the book to give away. All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this blog post AND be sure you are on my email list. Go here to sign up. (If you have trouble, it probably means you’re already on the list.) I’ll select ONE winner on May 31.
This book sound really exciting. Thanks for telling me about it!
Thanks for all the great posts!
Hey Cliff, this is a very generous offer. I’d love to read this book, and so wouldn’t my wife. We both have very fond memories of Turkey. Hope you are doing well.
Hi Cliff,
The books sounds like it might be interesting. I’ve read a bit of
Rumi.
Thanks,
Linda
This sounds like just the kind of book I would love. I will also tell a friend of mine, who is from Turkey and is also a writer.
Thank you for this offer. I had started a Turkish version of the book, but it was lost during traveling. Whether you pick my name or not, I’d like to thank by leaving a link to piece about a part of Turkey, which I hope you will enjoy. Selamlar.
http://mylifemagazine.com/enchanting-cappadocia
My English grandmother was a nurse in North Africa during the early 1900’s. She used to fascinate me with stories from the street markets of cities and towns on the Mediterranean. One of the most poignant was about a whirling dervish she happened upon. Even as a little girl I had a picture of the stillness of my grandmother watching the frenzy of the meditation dance – both people transformed to a place of quiet in the midst of the bustle all around.
Oh, Cliff! Rumi is my favorite poet. I guess I’m partial to several Middle Eastern poets, to be honest. Gibran, Rumi, Nizar Qabanni — all favorites. And Sufi means a lot to me. This book sounds delightful.
The journey sounds magical and timeless especially with Rumi. I look forward to reading this spiritual love story.
I would like to read the new book you are promoting.
Using a random number generator, the winner is . . . Lucy Boyd.
Congratulations! Thanks to all who entered.
Come back soon for another giveaway.