Martyr!

by Kaveh Akbar
Martyr! cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 445
  • Added: 2025-09-11
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780593685778
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2024-12-31
  • Formats: 30
  • Reviews: 4

Martyr! is a deeply moving and electrifying novel that explores themes of identity, loss, and the search for meaning. Cyrus Shams, a young man struggling with addiction and the legacy of his Iranian immigrant family, is drawn to the stories of martyrs and the mysteries of his past. His journey leads him to a painting in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests his mother may have been more than she seemed, while also uncovering the extraordinary life of an uncle who inspired soldiers in Iranian battlefields. The novel is praised for its joyful use of language and its exploration of faith, art, and belonging. Kaveh Akbar's debut novel is a testament to the power of storytelling and the human spirit. It blends humor, tragedy, and a profound sense of wonder, making it a standout in contemporary fiction. The novel's unique narrative style and its exploration of complex themes have earned it widespread acclaim, including being shortlisted for the National Book Award.

Reviews
the starving artist · Devontre Varro Flaherty · 2024-09-16
bittersweet 4.00

The book is described as bittersweet, blending tenderness with disappointment, but not in a disappointing way. It's a poignant exploration of complex emotions.

Devontre Varro Flaherty finds the novel to be a beautiful yet painful read, filled with moments of tenderness and sentimentality that are balanced by a sense of disappointment. They highlight how the book captures the intricacies of grief and longing without falling into clichés. The emotional journey is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, making it a memorable experience.

Quick quotes

    I'd say that it's a real bittersweet book, both tender and sentimental as well as bitter and disappointed.

    It's a poignant exploration of complex emotions.

    The emotional journey is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, making it a memorable experience.

The Guardian · 2024-03-29
mixed 3.00

The novel's relatability is praised for its candour and sensitivity, but it is criticized for lacking subtlety. The narrative's emotional depth is noted, though some elements feel heavy-handed.

This reviewer appreciates the raw and sensitive portrayal of the protagonist's journey, finding it easy to connect with. However, they feel the novel sometimes misses the mark with its blunt approach. The story's exploration of grief and meaning is commendable, but the execution could have been more nuanced. Despite its flaws, the emotional core of the novel resonates strongly.

Quick quotes

    While the candour and sensitivity of Akbar's narration gives it an easy relatability, the novel is let down by a lack of subtlety.

    The novel's emotional depth is noted, though some elements feel heavy-handed.

    The story's exploration of grief and meaning is commendable, but the execution could have been more nuanced.

Reading Writing and Me · 2024-02-29
powerful 4.50

The book is described as incredible with a strong, vivid protagonist whose grief and struggles with identity and addiction powerfully drive the narrative.

This review is enthusiastic about the novel, emphasizing how compelling and vivid the main character, Cyrus, is from the very first page. The reviewer connects deeply with Cyrus's complex emotions shaped by early loss and addiction recovery, praising the book's exploration of fitting into the world while wrestling with grief. The relationships around Cyrus, including his roommate and AA sponsor, add layers of complexity that enrich the story's emotional impact and authenticity.

Quick quotes

    This book is incredible. I'll say it over and over again throughout this review.

    From page one, Cyrus's voice jumps out with an incredibly strong sense of who he is.

    The complexities of these questions scream off the page.

The New Dork Review of Books · 2024-02-05
brilliant 4.50

The novel is described as immense and brilliant, focusing on the meaning of death with unique, mind-blowing details and humor that enrich the narrative.

This review praises the novel for its profound engagement with death and martyrdom, using compelling and unusual imagery such as the protagonist’s uncle’s haunting role in wartime. The reviewer finds the book's imaginative dream sequences—featuring figures like Lisa Simpson—to be among its funniest and most memorable parts, adding a rich layer of humor and surrealism that complements the serious themes. The novel’s originality and depth make it stand out as a remarkable debut.

Quick quotes

    This is a novel not about the meaning of life, but the meaning of death.

    This blew my mind.

    Some of my favorite -- and the funniest -- parts of this novel are conversations Akbar gives us between, say, Lisa Simpson and Cyrus's mother.

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