Book description
Cyrus Shams is a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss: his mother's plane was shot down over the skies of the Persian Gulf in a senseless accident; and his father's life in America was circumscribed by his work killing chickens at a factory farm in the Midwest. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past--toward an uncle who rode through Iranian battlefields dressed as the angel of death to inspire and comfort the dying, and toward his mother, through a painting discovered in a Brooklyn art gallery that suggests she may not have been who or what she seemed. Kaveh Akbar's Martyr is a paean to how we spend our lives seeking meaning--in faith, art, ourselves, others. Review"Kaveh Akbar is one of my favorite writers. Ever." -Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize-nominated author of There There "The best novel you'll ever read about the joy of language, addiction, displacement, martyrdom, belonging, homesickness." -Lauren Groff, best-selling author of Matrix and Fates and Furies "Brilliant . . . steeped in humor and absurdity but deathly serious as well . . . The strength of Martyr! is that Akbar arranges its various messes well and doesn't strive too hard to reconcile them." -Los Angeles TimesAbout the AuthorKAVEH AKBAR's poems appear in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Paris Review, The Best American Poetry, and elsewhere. He is the author of two poetry collections: Pilgrim Bell and Calling a Wolf a Wolf, in addition to a chapbook, Portrait of the Alcoholic. He is also the editor of The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 110 Poets on the Divine. He lives in Iowa City.
VisionVoyager
The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch is a testament to its innovation.
Candy Butcher
This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. This app's ease of use has made my daily tasks so much more enjoyable. 📱 Carrying stories in my pocket – this app's convenience is a game-changer! 📚🛍️ The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Ex0tic
ListenBook's support for a variety of audio formats ensures that I can access my content without any limitations. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. is a time-saver. It's convenient for accessing my content. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Mad Jack
I can't imagine my audiobook routine without ListenBook's seamless audio player. With this app, I can devour books like never before – it's incredibly efficient. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Sky Trinity
Savoring audiobooks without complications – this app's design is top-notch. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things.
Drop Stone
With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Listening to books while doing chores? This app makes it possible! This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is a game-changer!
Spicy Thunder
This app's sleek design and intuitive navigation have made audiobook listening a seamless experience. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. This app's convenience has transformed my screen time into meaningful reading sessions.
Petite Beauty
I can't believe how easy it is to discover new titles and genres. Pure delight! ListenBook's extensive statistics feature adds a new level of insight to my audiobook habits. ListenBook has become my constant companion, filling my days with captivating narratives. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. I appreciate the statistics feature. ListenBook helps me track my listening habits.
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay enhances my daily commute, making it a productive and enjoyable experience. I love the ability to change the background color. It’s a nice touch.
Fiend Oblivion
I can't believe how much more I'm able to read with the help of this app. Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature! ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom! ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Fresh Peper
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Hoboken Nightingale
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved! The app is so reliable. I’ve never had any issues with it.
Dark Matter
I'm amazed at ListenBook's intuitive interface and precise controls – it's a joy to navigate. ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature simplifies the process of adding new audiobooks to my collection. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
RedMouth
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket – truly amazing! This app is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. The ability to adjust skip intervals and playback speed is fantastic. I also love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Worth every penny!
Esquire
ListenBook has made my daily routines more vibrant and exciting with its immersive features. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive.
Spoiler Betty
ListenBook has brought stories back into my life, making every moment a new adventure. Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's thoughtful features, such as auto-rewind and chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our storytelling cravings. 🎉📚 The app's compatibility with CarPlay is a fantastic bonus. It keeps me entertained during long drives. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices. I’ve tried several audiobook players, but ListenBook stands out for its reliability and ease of use. The equalizer and voice boost features make every book sound amazing. Plus, the dark mode is perfect for nighttime listening. Great job, developers!
Baked ZD
Managing my audiobook collection is a pleasure thanks to this app's usability. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made a significant difference in the clarity of recordings.
Sylvester Eye
The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's design is a reader's dream. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a delight.
Gunhawk
Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook has united my love for audiobooks with my passion for learning. What a brilliant app!
Lady Petal
I'm finally making progress on my reading goals, thanks to this app's convenience. Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. Bookmarking on ListenBook makes it easy to pick up where I left off – no more searching for my spot! ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. I can't believe how easily this app has fit into my daily routine.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience