Martyr!

Kaveh Akbar writes with a poets' sincerety. Not all of it might be relatable, but everything makes perfect sense. This book is not all bleakness and death, though; In the end this is not a story about overcoming loss, or just acceptance. It's about being a flawed human being, about being too self-aware, feeling too much. About being frightened and angry in light of everything that's happening. About art connecting everything. And ultimately, reading it felt very consoling.

Dieses Buch ist eine große Empfehlung für alle, die sich schon einmal mit der Bedeutung des Lebens, aber ebenso des Todes beschäftigt haben. Besonders die vielschichtigen Charaktere machen den Roman spannend und nahbar. Akbar verbindet Humor, Trauer und Hoffnung auf eine besondere Weise und regt zum Nachdenken an, ohne dabei belehrend zu wirken. Ein ungewöhnliches, berührendes Buch, das noch lange im Kopf bleibt.

A very great book, well-written, the plot is great, everything is great. Wouldn’t recommend for those sensitive to topics of addiction tho as it is quite descriptive and elaborative on this regard.

This is one of those books that make you reflect on life’s biggest questions; life, death, love and art. You can feel the fact that the author is a poet in every sentence, the prose is beautiful and almost lyrical. The characters are so raw, real and utterly compelling, leaving a lasting impression. I already feel the urge to revisit this book with a highlighter in hand for annotations.

In Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, young Cyrus searches for his identity while navigating a labyrinth of memories, cultural heritage, and existential questions. Along his journey, he encounters the key figures who have shaped his life, their stories intricately intertwined with his own. Akbar masterfully weaves together the voices of those who have influenced Cyrus, offering a multifaceted exploration of death from various perspectives. This poetic fusion of narratives creates a profound mosaic of loss, faith, and belonging. However, the constant shifts between short chapters and different characters make it initially difficult to find a reading rhythm—but those who persist will be rewarded with a uniquely moving storytelling experience.