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.
Sleepwalker
User-friendly brilliance! This app's functionality enhances my audiobook experience. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. ListenBook is fantastic! Supports every audiobook format I have. Super convenient!
Zod
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. ListenBook’s bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Show Off
I can't get enough of this app's convenience – it has transformed my audiobook journey into a joyous experience. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to inspire others to read.
Dr. WMD
ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features are a game-changer – I can have my audiobooks ready in no time. ListenBook's commitment to providing a smooth and enjoyable listening experience is evident in every detail. I appreciate the dark mode option. It’s easy on the eyes during nighttime listening.
Twinkle Cutlass
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. ListenBook's dedication to providing a top-quality audio player is evident in every aspect of the app. 💡 This app has made my daily schedule more interesting – 'reading' on the go! 📱🚶♂️ Audiobooks have become my constant companions, and this app's seamless functionality and diverse compatibility ensure that every tale is a captivating journey. 🌌🎧 Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Roller Girl
Navigating audiobooks with ease – this app's functionality is a standout. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
Cardinal Rebel
This app has transformed my long flights into productive and enjoyable experiences. Book Groups on ListenBook make it easy to categorize and access my audiobooks. ListenBook has made my daily commutes so much more enjoyable. I look forward to listening every day!
Fl00d
I can't believe how much I've 'read' since I started using this app. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use – it's a reader's dream come true. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording.
Marbles
The family subscription option is a money-saver – everyone gets to enjoy their favorite books. I can't get enough of this app's convenience and the endless possibilities it offers. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features redefine audiobook joy. 📱📖 The app's compatibility with various sources for audio download is a true time-saver.
Silver Agent
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. Audiobooks on this app have turned my exercise sessions into moments of education. Audiobook multitasking simplified – this app's functionality is truly commendable. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Moonflower
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable.
Old Orange Eyes
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches. Decent audiobook but I think I would have enjoyed reading it more. Some of the more subtle humor didn't quite land in the audio format.
Swan Mustang
I'm amazed at how this app has made reading fit into every aspect of my life. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. Supports artwork and metadata perfectly. My library looks great!
Spoiler Betty
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Cereal Killer
The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed. Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my audiobook library look neat and professional. Listening statistics are a great motivator. Love this feature! The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Palomino
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. I can't get enough of this app's user-friendly interface – it's a true delight. Kudos to the creators for crafting an app that understands audiobook lovers. With smooth playback and thoughtful design, it's a true companion for book enthusiasts. 📚👏 Book groups help me keep series together and navigate my collection more efficiently. A great feature!
Pinball Esq
Listening to audiobooks has become a ritual, thanks to this incredible app. Audiobook pleasure without the fuss – this app's functionality is top-notch. Downloading books directly in the app is so easy. Highly recommend!
Digital Equinox
The app's integration with CarPlay enhances my road trips with immersive audiobook journeys. 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.
Ember Master
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make every moment a reading moment. Audiobook excellence simplified – this app's functionality is a true delight. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion.
Morbid Angel
This app has transformed my daily walks into insightful journeys of knowledge – talk about efficiency! The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
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