Martyr!

by

As a supporter, I find Kaveh Akbar’s debut novel, “Martyr!”, to be a poignant and deeply moving exploration of one man’s search for meaning and connection in the face of loss and existential dread. Having lost my own mother at a tender age, I found myself deeply resonating with Cyrus Shams’ journey, his struggle to find solace and purpose amidst the senselessness of tragedy.

Kaveh Akbar’s first book, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, follows the life of Cyrus Shams, who seems to be drifting aimlessly through his days. He’s a poet, freshly sober, consumed by thoughts of death and battling deep depression. As an infant, Cyrus’ mother had flown from Tehran to Dubai to see her brother, but a U.S. missile mistakenly struck the plane, taking her life. Left behind was a grieving widower and single father, who relocated himself and young Cyrus to the American Midwest. As his father worked on a poultry farm, Cyrus struggled with night terrors, and even three decades later, he’s still struggling with existential questions and crushing sorrow over his mother’s untimely death. Shaken by the senselessness of her demise and devastated by the recent loss of his father, Cyrus decides that his own death should carry significance. He learns about an intriguing exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum, where a terminally ill Iranian artist is spending her final days on public display, offering conversations to visitors who visit. So, driven by his desire to discuss his longing for a meaningful end with the artist, Cyrus embarks on a journey from Indiana to New York City. In “Martyr!”, Akbar offers a poignant narrative about one man’s search for connection and meaning in a world that can often feel isolating.

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2024-11-13 17:06