Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

As his new book is published, Iranian-American poet and author Kaveh Akbar discusses the power of art to humanise collective loss, and the ongoing religious, cultural and political significance of martyrdom.

From Poets.org

A story about an endless quest for purpose in a world that can be cruel and uncaring.

Check out some of the author’s amazing poems.

Shelbi Polk speaks with the author to discuss Martyr in which the protagonist battles an addiction and becomes enamored by religion and all that it promises.

A riotous tale of a grieving son.

A debut novel in which the author turns a grieving young man's search for meaning into a piercing family saga.