A stunning exploration of grief, identity, and the search for meaning.

In Martyr!, Kaveh Akbar introduces us to Cyrus Shams, a newly sober, orphaned son of Iranian immigrants, who is on a quest for meaning and connection in a world laden with personal tragedy and cultural inheritance. Following the senseless loss of his mother—whose plane was shot down over Tehran—and the struggles of his father, Cyrus delves into the shadows of their histories, revealing the impact of violence and loss on his own identity.

Cyrus is not merely a victim of circumstance; he is a poignant observer of the human condition, captivated by martyrs and tales of sacrifice. His journey takes him from the striking landscapes of Iranian battlefields, where his uncle once roamed as the Angel of Death, to the hallowed halls of the Brooklyn Museum. It is here that he encounters a terminally ill painter whose profound work leads him to question everything he believes about his mother’s past and the multifaceted nature of identity itself.

Akbar’s prose is marked by its electrifying wit, humor, and depth. With themes that resonate across cultures, Martyr! isn’t just a story about loss; it’s a reflection on the search for purpose in art, faith, and life. At its core, the novel reveals how we are all, in some capacity, engaged in our personal quests for understanding.

Since its release, Martyr! has resonated with readers, garnering an impressive average rating of 4.23 across over 47,000 ratings. This profound debut marks Kaveh Akbar not only as a master storyteller, but as an essential voice in contemporary fiction.