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Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | SHORTLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
A newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, Cyrus Shams embarks on a journey to uncover a long-hidden family secret. Guided by the voices of artists, poets, and kings, his search leads him to a terminally ill painter living out her final days in the Brooklyn Museum. Martyr! is an electrifying, funny, and wholly original novel that marks the arrival of a remarkable new voice in contemporary fiction.
Description
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK | A TIME MUST-READ BOOK OF THE YEAR
“Kaveh Akbar is one of my favorite writers. Ever.” —Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize–nominated author of There There
“The best novel you’ll ever read about the joy of language, addiction, displacement, martyrdom, belonging, and homesickness.” —Lauren Groff, best-selling author of Matrix and Fates and Furies
Cyrus Shams is a young man dealing with a legacy of violence and loss: his mother’s death in a plane crash over the Persian Gulf, and his father’s life working in a factory farm in the Midwest. A poet, addict, and drunk, Cyrus becomes obsessed with the concept of martyrdom, unraveling the mysteries of his past. His journey takes him to an uncle who inspired and comforted dying soldiers on Iranian battlefields, and to a painting in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests his mother was more than she appeared.
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is a poignant exploration of how we search for meaning in faith, art, and in our connections with others.
Angila –
Wow. What a surprising novel this is in every way. I was expecting a dark story because of the title, but this is anything but. Kaveh’s a true artist with the English language. I loved this book – funny, meaningful and wise.
Jules –
I enjoyed the writing style, the story, and the exploration of all characters. Like the title says, ending felt underwhelming, but still an enjoyable read.
JC –
I just finished Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar. This is his debut novel, and I hope it will not be his last. His prose is multi-layered and beautiful as he explores a series of existential crises faced by the young protagonist, Cyrus, an Iranian immigrant. What at times seems like a meandering series of plotlines comes together beautifully. I quickly found myself emotionally invested in Cyrus and his story. If you enjoy masterfully crafted prose, this is the book for you.