“Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar follows Cyrus Shams, a first-generation Iranian American poet grappling with addiction, grief, and identity after his mother’s death in a U.S. government-related plane bombing. The novel traces Cyrus’s journey as he seeks meaning through art, faith, and encounters with figures like a terminally ill artist in the Brooklyn Museum. Themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the immigrant experience are explored through Cyrus’s introspective quest, blending personal tragedy with broader existential questions. Akbar’s debut novel is noted for its lyrical prose and examination of how individuals navigate pain and purpose.