Martyr! Author: Kaveh Akbar

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is a dazzling and deeply introspective debut novel that threads together themes of spiritual yearning, cultural dislocation, addiction, and radical transformation. Following Cyrus Shams, a queer Iranian American grappling with the death of his mother and a lifetime of existential drift, the novel unfolds as a lyrical voyage into the heart of what it means to live, believe, and die for something.

Haunted by the concept of martyrdom and driven by the ghosts of both political and personal histories, Cyrus embarks on a search for meaning through religion, poetry, and philosophical contemplation. His journey moves through modern-day America, Iran's revolutionary legacy, and a kaleidoscope of inner monologues and imagined dialogues, creating a mosaic of longing and defiance.

Akbar—renowned for his award-winning poetry—infuses the narrative with lyrical brilliance and raw vulnerability. As Cyrus navigates conversations with religious figures, literary icons, and memories drenched in longing, the novel challenges readers to examine martyrdom not just as sacrifice, but as an act of radical love, resistance, or reinvention.

Praised by literary giants like Tommy Orange, Martyr! is a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist that pushes the boundaries of form and emotion. It’s ideal for readers drawn to immigrant narratives, philosophical fiction, and stories that dare to blur the lines between reality and introspective imagination.