A review by bookedoncape
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Martyr! is one of the best books I have ever read. From start to finish I was deeply invested in the story of Cyrus Shams, his family, friends, and the others in his life.

Akbar's prose was so enjoyable, I found myself re-reading sections purely to marvel at the way in which they were written. More books from poets please! It was certainly the perfect vessel to deliver this unique story that I admittedly did not know too much about beforehand. The Iranian-American perspective was handled with such care, raw honesty, and depth, that I can tell this novel drew on Akbar's own lived experience.

I initially picked this up as part of a book club within a fellowship program for young artists that I was a part of. THIS should replace The Artist's Way as creative's go-to book rec. There is just so much to gain for anyone with creative pursuits by looking at Cyrus' own literary ambitions, as well as every bit involving Orkideh and her journey to becoming an artist, the meaning behind her work, and her own life struggles.

As a younger qtpoc individual, Cyrus was painfully relatable, both in his admirable qualities and his heartbreaking flaws. 
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