Cyrus Shams is newly sober, sometimes suicidal, fascinated by martyrs and death and the cultures which honor them though for varying reasons. He's obsessed with his plan to write a book of poems celebrating them. His mother was killed in a plane crash when he was 5, her plane senselessly shot down by the US military, the country which Cyrus now calls home. His father left Iran and immigrated with Cyrus, only to live out the rest of his life working long hours at a Midwestern chicken farm before dying when Cyrus was in college. Cyrus is now a sometime poet, addict, drunk, determined to solve existential questions of loneliness, abandonment, and belonging, in the company of the family of sorts he has cobbled together out of other former addicts and misfits, including the young man he lives with who is his best friend and occasional partner.
He's exploring the life of his uncle, who as an Iranian soldier was forced to play a role of the "angel of death," riding a horse around a battlefield at dusk to comfort the dying. When he hears of a terminally ill Iranian painter living out her final days and hours holding court in a Brooklyn art gallery, he's fascinated--what can she teach him about death? Plus one of her paintings depicts a similar scene to that described by his uncle. He goes to visit her. The two connect in a deep mysterious way, and while he does get some answers, he also gets more questions.
Martyr! is an unusual book. It starts really slow and it ends very oddly, but it's worth the read. The poems that Cyrus is writing are gorgeous, and his musings on life, death, the meanings and connections we make or miss, are raw and honest and often amusing. I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it!

This book is just everything to me! It’s brimming with complex characters, moving themes, and finally a relatable self-destructive queer character. I instantly made it my book club’s next pick.

The main character’s antics and the author’s writing style are features you will likely either love or hate. For me, the tale of Cyrus and his storytelling style were off-putting, hard to relate to. While the fiction is meant to be humorous, satirical, it just didn’t hook me.

Whewwww, now this is a BOOK. I didn't know what to expect when diving into poet Kaveh Akbar's first novel MARTYR! but it was a delightful, meaningful, and wild ride.

Cyrus is a recovering alcoholic, a lost poet who is trying to find inspiration for this art despite his meaningless job, and looking back on his life as an Iranian-American. He lost his mother as a baby when her plane was shot down by America on the way to Dubai, and his father brought him to America shortly after to start a new life. With his father now dead as well, he begins a meditation on his upbringing, and his losses, by travelling to New York to see an Abramović-esque performance by another Iranian artist at the Brooklyn Museum.

Told in different POVs, but with Cyrus as our center of gravity, Akbar does an incredible job building characters and stories that make this book very hard to put down. The twist at the end was shocking and fantastic, and the ending of the book fantastical and surreal. I put it down a few days ago and it has still stayed with me. It is a book that I think would greatly benefit from a re-read, something I rarely do but have a feeling I may revisit this one - that's honestly the best kind of review I can give!

Not for me. This reads like a fever dream. I don't care enough about the underlying story to deal with the way the story is being told. Thanks for the advance copy from Net Galley.

I put this book down for a day and a half, because I hated it and dreaded coming back to it. Because so many people loved it I thought I should keep soldiering on. But when I tried again, I still hated it. Finally abandoned. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

What do we do with ourselves after tragedy? Akbar's story is about finding your purpose in the face of feeling like it is all over. How do we overcome? What a brilliant story that pulls you right in and keeps you there.

This was a book I picked up and put down several times. I kept thinking I just wasn't in the right place to read Cyrus' story. When I hit a reading groove, I was able to immerse myself into the story, but it just wasn't a story that drew me in and held my interest. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. It might be a story I pick up and revisit at a different time in my life, but for now-i had to set it free.

This book's poetic roots are evident, offering a mixed bag of beautifully crafted passages and a meandering plot, especially when the narrative hits New York City and stumbles into a massive, yet unconvincing plot twist. The use of multiple perspectives—Cyrus's family members—adds little due to their lack of development, with Roya's character being notably thin despite her significant role. The frequent dream sequences further dilute the story, failing to introduce new insights or progress the plot. However, Cyrus's poetry emerges as a highlight.

The focus on martyrdom as a central theme feels misplaced and repetitively explored, without effectively connecting Cyrus's internal struggle from depression to a quest for martyrdom. This portrayal strikes as overly analytical and somewhat unfaithful to the genuine complexities of such mental states.

The conclusion left me feeling detached, the intended emotional crescendo falling flat due to the superficially developed relationships between Cyrus, Orkideh, and Zee. These bonds, meant to be transformative, feel contrived, serving more as plot devices than genuine connections, undermining the story's emotional impact.

Cyrus Shams is typical American 20-something: delusions of artistic grandeur (he's an aspiring writer who spends very little time writing), tumultuous relationships, a substance abuse disorder. At the same time, he's haunted by the ghosts of his Iranian heritage: his mother, murdered by the U.S. government on Iran Air Flight 655; his father, a factory farm employee, trapped in the capitalist hellscape of his adopted land; his uncle, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war--who, dressed as a Koranic prophet, traversed battlefields on horseback to comfort dying soldiers. What Cyrus seeks is a meaningful death; hence his obsession with martyrdom. When he hears about Orkideh, an Iranian artist dying of cancer and in the process of completing her final work—a performance piece called Death-Speak, where she holds court in an empty museum gallery, conversing with anyone who wishes to engage—he is convinced he's found the perfect guide to accompany him on his search. On meeting, Cyrus and Orkideh develop an immediate rapport. But she swiftly disabuses him of the notion that her death is more noble or meaningful than any other--or, indeed, that Death has any meaning at all. Cyrus' journey ends in a paradoxical revelation: rather than ending in death, everything, in fact, ends in life. The big twist on which the plot turns requires quite a suspension of disbelief--but why not? The book itself is a series of ever-deepening and widening connections between people, places, and eras; to reject the tale out of concerns about "plausibility" seems to miss the point. While sometimes too ambitious, overstuffed with characters, numerous smaller plot twists, and Big Ideas, it's still an enjoyable debut novel, with elements of philosophy, poetry (chapters are bookended by Cyrus' poems) and pop culture (Akbar exhibits a wide-ranging passion for music). I'm interested in what he writes next.

2.5-3 stars
I didn't love this book even though I kind of expected to. The main character, a gay Iranian-America addict and poet, was immensely annoying. Even though he was 30, he was so whiny and self-centered that he seemed more like a 13 year old. He was obsessed with being a martyr so that his life would have meaning--why not go out and live a meaningful life, helping others, working to improve the environment, something, other than drinking all night every night with his friends.

I did like the parts about his mother, his father, his uncle, etc., for the look at their lives, personalities, and cultural influences.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

What an incredible book. Hilarious, full of heart, smart, wry -- i'll recommend this to everyone I know.

A study of character, identity, death, and worth that continually hits you with unexpected insights. Cyrus Shams takes readers on a multi-generational, international tour of deep topics while also feeling like a very personal conversation. It's not just his story, but that of his parents and even, to a certain degree, that of many binational young people who often feel divided and unwelcome in both their identities.
It took me a minute to figure out how I felt about this book because it's one of those that hits you with something that makes you stop and think in a way that completely takes you out of the story. I am not a fan of books that practically kick you out of the narrative, but the way that Akbar writes by jumping from character to character helps ease that a little bit. Not to mention, that it's impossible to walk away from it without having some deep thoughts about the things said within it.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the thought-provoking read!

Published by Knopf (January 23, 2024)
Hardcover $23.59
Audiobook $12.99

By Ashley Riggleson/ FXBG ADVANCE

Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel, Martyr! is one of the most talked about books of January and with good reason. This distinctive and poignant novel about a young man’s search for meaning tugged at my heartstrings, and I did not want it to end. I loved it.

Readers primarily follow Cyrus, the son of Iranian immigrants. He is a recovering alcoholic who struggles with his mental health and the ordinary work of living. It seems, in fact, that he wants to die, but he wants his death to mean something. As the novel progresses, Akbar takes readers back into the past to learn how Cyrus gets to this point. We learn, for instance, that his mother was deeply unhappy in her marriage to his father and that, when Cyrus was young, his mother died when her plane was shot down by the US military, one of many lives lost. And, while his father was a good provider, he was emotionally distant, and Cyrus’ childhood was a lonely one. Additionally, Akbar shows that Cyrus’ problems are, in part, the result of Iran’s tumultuous history and of his feelings about growing up as an outsider in the United States. Akbar also does an excellent job of showing how all these factors contribute to making Cyrus the man he is at the beginning of the novel.

There is a plotline that takes place in the novel’s present as well. Cyrus is preoccupied with trying to have a good death, one that matters. As he works on a book about the martyrs of the past, he comes across the story of an artist called Orkideh. Like Cyrus, she has Iranian roots, and she is at the Brooklyn Museum in the midst of her final installation, a visual art piece called “Death-Speak.” Orkideh is suffering from terminal cancer, and she spends her final days talking with anyone who visits her there. Cyrus’ friend Zee suggests that he meet her, so they soon go to New York. Here, he realizes that he and Orkideh have more in common than he ever suspected. And, while Cyrus originally traveled to New York to learn about dying, in the end, he learns something about living.

Martyr! is a beautiful novel about redemption and healing, and Akbar, who is also a poet, writes beautifully as well. That said, Martyr! is not for everyone. It is a character driven novel with a very quiet plot. Akbar expects the reader to engage in this novel and give it their full attention, and he uses its extraordinary premise to discuss topics like race, the importance of art, Cyrus’ intrinsic value, mental health, and addiction. With that in mind, readers should also be warned that Martyr! has many potential triggers, including suicide, suicidal ideation, illness, grief, addiction, and more. Despite the challenging subject matter though, Martyr! is sometimes joyous and always perfectly wrought. Readers will not forget Akbar’s debut anytime soon.

Ashley Riggleson is a free-lance book reviewer from Rappahannock County. When she is not reading or writing book reviews, she can usually be found playing with her pets, listening to podcasts, or watching television with friends and family.

Profoundly moving and thought provoking. A stunning debut novel.
Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Martyr!" by Kaveh Akbar intricately explores themes of addiction, loss, identity, and the search for meaning through the poignant journey of Cyrus Shams, an Iranian-American poet. The novel's emotionally charged narrative and potent political inquiries showcase Akbar's poetic influence, turning occasional plot weaknesses into intentional nuances. The conceptualization of Cyrus as both Iranian and American adds a unique depth, challenging conventional notions of identity.
Acknowledging flaws like a gimmicky ending, predictable plot points, and occasional pacing issues, the reviewer appreciates the impact of "Martyr!" The book's blend of poetry and prose challenges readers to ponder life's complexities, creating a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant debut novel. Despite its imperfections, "Martyr!" stands out as a work worth the read, offering a captivating exploration of life's intricacies that transcends conventional boundaries and earns its 3.5 stars.

What a fascinating book About a boy namedc YNSS HAM. Yes. Who grew up In a ran when things were starting to change in that country. Book Goes back in time and then toward the future. The past talks about his mother and father. How they were raised in Iran in the old days. The mother was raised in a very conventional house. But she liked to be wild and free an. Her brother whose older was more taken care of her. So she marries the boy's father and he had a very interesting background as well. It's also like a love story between the mother and this other woman. She meets because her husband and his friend went on a camping trip. This friend was really like really adventurous at that time. Because they do not accept same sex ideas.. She was also pregnant at the time with the boy. She did not tell this friend or her husband at that time. She had the baby boynamed c y n s. It's really hard for her to take care of this child because he could not sleep at all. Mother left to go on a plane to visit her brother because he had a lot of problems from the From the W a r. The plane was shot down so the mother died and the father was left to raise this child. Father went to America with this child because he felt it was much better future for this child America was very difficult because the child was leapt alone a lot. And the father had to keep working long hours. When he went to college, he started a drinking problem. And this looked a lot of different mishaps especially with women. He loved a man named xin and they were on and off relationship type. This book had a lot of differenttwists and turns in it. But at the ending , you realized who the artist was because of that painting of the block angel cause that was his uncle.

This book took some time to coalesce for me, but once it did I was enthralled! I really wasn't sure where the book was going initially. It felt a little chaotic, which is how Cyrus felt as a character to me, so it fit. I grew to love Cyrus in all his messed up glory and Zee!!! Cyrus. This book really wrapped up well and left me wanting to go back to the beginning and read it again..

If you can ignore how you feel about the principal protagonist Cyrus and read this novel for the story and insights, it shines a powerful beam on some of humankinds universal questions. What gives a life meaning? Can you have a death that makes a difference? What is a martyr? What is the "toll of trying really really hard to be good in a game that's rigged against goodness." ?(Zee) How does art reflect life?

It's a struggle (personally) to read a book where the main character is so self-absorbed, so full of self-pity, along with drug and alcohol addictions. That said, the author has exactingly depicted such a miserable character. Thankfully, there are other persona in the book to play foil to Cyrus' sniveling.

The author has created some very vivid scenes -- his uncle's military service, hadith tales, Orkideh's painting. And some great lines:

A photograph can say "This is what it was." Language can only say "This is what it was like."
"...But you can't use history to rationalize everything. You realize that's what countries do, right? What America does. And what Iran does, specifically?"
When asked about the difficulties of sculpture, Michelangelo said, "It is easy. You just chip away all the stone that isn't David."
All of us were dying, I'd remind them. I was just dying faster. (Orkideh)

There is a lot of humour in the book, but it felt chipped away by the sadness.

In all, not an easy book to read, but very well worth it. Tons to think about and discuss.

This book is hyped - and it earns every bit of it. The story is compelling, the language is poetic and precise. I read it in a single sitting - it's not really built for that, but I couldn't put it down. I was sure early on that a key thing Cyrus believed about his life would be false, and it was, but seeing it coming didn't diminish the experience at all. I'd recommend this to pretty much anyone looking for an absorbing, through-provoking, well-written book; in fact, I have been, and we can't keep it on our shelves. Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.