Martyr! follows poet Cyrus Shams, whose obsession with martyrdom leads him to writing a book on the subject and exploring his family relationships through that lens along the way. There is a lot going on in this book, including multiple points of view (probably too much going on), but it is well-written and thought-provoking. Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for the ARC.

Such a rich and beautifully written book. This book tells the tale of Cyrus, a young man who, from a young age, faced tragedy. Born in Iran, his father moved him to the United States very early. I will not be able to do the story itself a service as it should be done, because everything I will say will not make it sound as amazing and moving as it is. The descriptions were touching, and the story itself was so all encompassing. It is a literary work of art, and I have no doubts it will touch the minds and hearts of so many because of its appeal. The story weaves in all different walks of life and such an interesting premise as well. Cyrus wants to write a book of martyrs, but in doing so, finds much out about himself and his background.
I highly recommend this book to someone wanting something different and touching, because it will do just that.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kaveh Akbar excels at language and this book is the perfect proof of it. Equally funny and poignant, the narrative of Martyr! defies everything we hear of "writing craft" and rises above so much of the same old tropey tripe that is starting to pervade even literary fiction. So glad I was able to experience this book.

Cyrus Shams is an Iranian American who lost his mom to a plane crash before he even remembers her. He's recovering from drug addiction, and living with his best friend, and sometimes lover, Zee. Because he's questioning his very life, he's considering what being a martyr would mean to his life and to others who might or might not know him. On this journey, he discovers a shocking fact, sending him into the deepest despair. The story ends on a high note, I suppose.

This was a compelling read, and I liked the emotion of it all. But having finished it, I am perplexed. I'm not sure who the perfect target reader would be for this story.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Martyr.

I LOVED this book! It was such a beautiful story of forgiveness and the different ways we can live a life and die having touched someones life.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the eARC.

Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother’s plane was shot down over the skies of Tehran in a senseless accident; and his father’s life in America was circumscribed by his work killing chickens at a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past.

So many layers of life to examine with this read. Its overall the search for meaning in one's life and death through friendship, love, loss, addiction, art, music, and memory. Honestly, there were a couple of times I wanted to shelf this book. Initially, I could not become all that invested in Cyrus; that is until the layers of his life began to be revealed. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley for the preview copy.

Honestly, I almost gave up several times in the first half. I found the narrative disjointed and largely uninteresting. I'm not sure why I stuck with it, but wow, it really picked up about 2/3 of the way through! The Orkideh narrative was intriguing from the start, and the author really "stuck the landing." By the end, I had a better understanding of the author's choices in the early stages of the novel.

I would have been unlikely to notice "Martyr!" on the list of new releases, so I'm glad I had the opportunity to read the prerelease copy.

this was SO GOOD.
I love when poets write novels. Kaveh Akbar has such a mastery of language and I loved the themes and the format and everything. I've tried Kaveh's actual poetry before in the past and I felt way too dumb for it, but this might officially push me to try it again.

Parts of this novel are very funny. Parts truly insightful. Parts didn’t work for me at all because I’m not a fan of disjointed narratives.

Cyrus has now been sober for two years. His father brought him to Indiana from Iran when Cyrus was very young, after his mother had been killed in a terrible accident. That accident and other aspects his Iranian family influence his poetry. He’s thinking about writing a novel about martyrs, and when he reads about an Iranian woman who’s dying of stage 4 breast cancer doing an installation called Death Speak in New York, he and his best friend and sometimes lover Zee travel so he can talk to her about his persistent urge to commit suicide, but to make sure his death has some meaning.

You’d think a book about a suicidal sober addict would be dark, but mostly it’s not, in part because of great writing like this (it’s set in 2017): “Cyrus thought about President Invective, a cartoon ghoul of a man for whom Dantean ideas of Hell seemed specifically conceived. The sort of man whose unwavering assertions of his own genius competence had, to the American public, apparently overwhelmed all observable evidence to the contrary.”

I liked the twist at the end, which I did not see coming.

NetGalley provided an advance copy of this novel

This book has a really intriguing concept. A young mom from Iran is killed when her commercial flight is accidentally shot down as she travels to visit her brother in Dubai. Her husband and young son Cyrus migrate to the U.S., where her senseless death haunts the boy throughout his life. He struggles with substance abuse, finds it difficult to establish relationships and imagines/dreams conversations between high-profile individuals whose died for a cause ("Marytrs!"). A trip to New York to visit a performance artist (think Marin Abramovic) who is dying from cancer and living her final days in an exhibit ("Death-Speak") at a museum where she interacts with visitors changes his perspectives. Very interesting themes and twist at the end, but not the compelling read I hoped for. ***1/2 stars.

I think this was an interesting book, just not for me. There was a beautiful story here, but it was layered beneath a lot of dream scenarios and metaphors that I just didn’t get.

(4.5 stars) This book was good, but not living up to its early accolades – which included “Brilliant!” from John Green and “Akbar is one of my favorite authors. Ever” from Tommy Orange – until I hit the two-thirds mark, then WOW what a reveal and ending. I’m left with a terrific overall opinion of this work and its author. It’s a novel that is both poetic and narrative. One that informs on the meaning of life and love and forgiveness in ways that are both humorous and sensitive.

Akbar’s debut novel follows Cyrus Shams, an Iranian American, who lost his mother when the US Navy shot down her Iranian passenger airline, killing everyone on board. Cyrus’ father has passed away in Indiana while working for the poultry industry, leaving Cyrus an orphan. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict and a poet whose obsession with martyrs leads him to a dying performance artist who perhaps holds the answers to his mysterious past.

This is a novel to revel in and cherish. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for providing an e-ARC for my review. The title publishes in January 2024.

I really have no idea what I just read. I am giving it 4 stars as it might be brilliant - but I’m not sure as there was so much that I didn’t understand! But there is no doubt the author is brilliant and creative and clever. The book is disjointed and depressing yet the writing is so strong that it deserves to be read.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with an early release in exchange for an honest review.

“Martyr” was a book I was excited to read, however, ended up be very different than expected. I wanted to really like this book, but I felt it read disjointed and a bit unorganized. As such, I personally found this title to be difficult to get through and while has potential, was not one I fully enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Panteon, Vintage, and Anchor publishing for providing me the opportunity to review "Martry” prior to publication. I am appreciative and leave my review voluntarily.

I found the storyline interesting and somehow I knew where it was going towards the end.

The author definitely has a way with words and a great imagination. He is able to express the disappointments that many people live with and that "hollow" place inside of it. I did not necessarily agree with his way of filling it however.

The one thing this book does make pretty clear is that people make choices and then they have to live with them, but they are clearly a choice.
I did feel that the story had a long buildup and a very rushed ending. It was an interesting read.

"Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar is a dazzling and original exploration of identity, family, addiction, and the search for meaning. This novel introduces readers to Cyrus Shams, a complex character whose journey is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

At its heart, "Martyr!" is a story of a young man coming to terms with his heritage and grappling with the legacy of his parents, particularly his mother, who tragically died in a plane crash. Cyrus is a character who is profoundly affected by the loss of his mother and the factory work that defined his father's life. He is an addict and a poet, and his struggle with addiction is woven into the fabric of the narrative in a way that feels raw, honest, and unflinching.

The novel also delves into the concept of martyrdom, both in a religious and personal sense. Cyrus's obsession with martyrs leads him on a quest to understand his family's history, particularly his uncle's role as an angel of death on Iranian battlefields. This exploration of martyrdom becomes a central theme of the novel, challenging readers to consider the lengths to which individuals will go to find purpose and meaning in their lives.

Kaveh Akbar's writing is a highlight of this novel. His prose is electrifying and poetic, creating a vivid and immersive reading experience. The use of voices from various artists, poets, and historical figures adds depth and richness to the narrative, highlighting the power of language and storytelling.

"Martyr!" is a novel that is as humorous as it is poignant. It navigates weighty themes with a touch of humor and satire, making it a thought-provoking and engaging read. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, and the novel's exploration of family dynamics and cultural identity is both nuanced and empathetic.

Overall, "Martyr!" is a remarkable work of contemporary fiction that announces Kaveh Akbar as an essential voice in the literary world. It is a novel that challenges readers to examine their own quests for meaning and identity while celebrating the power of language and storytelling. This book is a testament to the transformative and redemptive potential of art and literature in our lives.

I really enjoyed this book! I really loved the way the author blended together the stories of the other characters in a way that furthered the narrative - sometimes I think that doesn't work in a novel, but I really liked it here. A beautiful story about queerness, family, addiction, and what it means to make your life (or death) meaningful. Thanks, NetGalley for the advanced copy! I'm excited to recommend this one to all my friends once it comes out

Unfortunately this didn't work for me. The plot felt scattered and unsure of itself, especially with the more experimental parts. It felt like a story that didn't know what it wanted to be. And although I did find the ideas interesting, as a whole this novel didn't really come together for me.

This is a story where the main character is learning how to embrace grief and find meaning in his life, all while in light of his sobriety. The book is definitely written with a poet’s eye. There are some gut punching lines and beautifully crafted chapters. I really enjoyed this one, the raw and genuine writing of it all. I will definitely look for more work by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I’ll start by saying this is not the usual book I enjoy, as I tend to find it hard to connect to contemporary fiction and often don’t want to read things that make me sad or are a lot of drama rather than something light funny or fantastical.

But I’m glad I gave this novel a try. The writing is excellent as is the story. Really beautiful.