This was an unexpected gem for me—ambitious, disjointed, and messy in a way that almost feels intentional, which is exactly what makes it work. Martyr! isn’t a novel you read for a neat, linear storyline. It’s a kaleidoscope of fragmented lives and timelines, all circling the central character, Cyrus Shams, a poet with severe imposter syndrome trying to figure out what it means to live a meaningful life (or die a meaningful death). It’s chaotic, but somehow, it fits beautifully. 

 

Thematically, Akbar dives deep into grief, martyrdom, and the search for meaning in life’s randomness. Cyrus is an orphan, recovering from multiple addictions, and has made it his mission to write about martyrdom, in part to make sense of his mother’s tragic death. The way Akbar intertwines Cyrus’s personal journey with snippets of family history—like his mother’s death in the downing of Iran Air Flight 655—adds layers of weight and tragedy, making you feel Cyrus’s obsession with finding meaning in the chaos. 

 

But here’s where things get complicated: the narrative doesn’t follow a straightforward path. It jumps between timelines, perspectives, hallucinations, and surreal moments, sometimes losing momentum along the way. At times, I found myself wishing for a stronger through line to hold it all together, but I also feel like that disjointedness might have been the point. It mirrors how fragmented life can feel when you’re lost, searching for something to anchor you. 

 

Akbar's writing is undeniably beautiful, with metaphors that surprise you and moments of wit that catch you off guard. He brings in Iranian poets, bisexual love, existential musings, and even some hallucinatory conversations with Trump and Lisa Simpson (because why not?). It’s over the top, for sure, but there’s a playfulness in how he tackles such heavy themes. 

 

It’s flawed—definitely. But it’s also bold, imaginative, and deeply human in its exploration of meaning and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of tragedy. If you like your novels neat and orderly, this one might frustrate you, but if you’re in the mood for something eccentric and full of heart, Martyr! is worth the ride. 

 

TLDR; It’s a beautifully messy novel that sometimes gets lost in itself but in the best way possible. Perfect if you’re into books that make you think and feel, even if they don’t always make sense.