Why people recommend it
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar is a dazzling debut novel about an orphaned young Iranian-American poet in recovery seeking meaning, legacy, and a dramatic exit through art. On The Book Review, Jumana Katib introduced the novel during an early-year preview, celebrating it as a powerful work by a talented poet. Gilbert Cruz subsequently championed the book on the podcast, highlighting a rave review from novelist Junot Díaz and noting ahead of its release that it would undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about books of the year. As the months progressed, Cruz revisited the novel on multiple episodes of The Book Review, confirming that early critical enthusiasm was entirely justified as the book lived up to massive expectations, earning a prominent spot on major shortlists and year-end lists. Through these recurring mentions, Martyr! is portrayed as a vital, emotionally charged contribution to contemporary fiction. It resonates with readers and critics alike through its vibrant language, dark humor, and fearless exploration of grief, addiction, Iranian history, and the desperate human desire to matter in a chaotic world.
Who recommended it
- Gilbert Cruz Recommended
- Jumana Katib Recommended
Gilbert Cruz — 3 mentions
“one of our editors in particular saying martyr by cave Akbar is it it's going to be one that I'm going to nominate and that we're all going to talk about”
“I feel like a couple of people had read it early which we have the privilege of doing here at the book review and said martyr by cave Akbar is one that we are going to be talking about for quite a while and and indeed it's shortlisted here”
“and then there's martyr by cave Akbar we talked about this one in the start of our year preview episode a couple weeks ago and the novelist Juno Diaz recently gave this one a rave review for us”
Jumana Katib — 1 mention
“yes so this is Martyr by kava Akbar”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“We were spoiled by that and Martyr too, I think maybe.”