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.
RedFisher
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. ListenBook has become my go-to workout companion. It keeps me motivated and entertained. No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly.
Apex
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Cabbie
The minimalist interface and intuitive settings make for an amazing user experience. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
Screwtape
ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it the perfect companion for any audiobook lover.
Con Mammoth
The variety of narrators adds a unique touch to each book, making every experience special. I'm addicted to this app's curated playlists and recommendations – they're spot on. I'm amazed by ListenBook's dedication to quality – it's evident in every feature. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Show Off
This app has turned my household chores into moments of intellectual growth. This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors.
WanderWord
Audiobook excellence – this app's design enhances my reading experience. ListenBook is like a personal audiobook curator, allowing me to enjoy my favorite speeches and lectures with unmatched comfort and convenience. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around.
Kabuki
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. ListenBook has breathed new life into my audiobook collection. I can't imagine using anything else.
Betty Cricket
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. ListenBook is my daily companion, turning mundane tasks into exciting audio adventures. Audiobooks made convenient – this app's functionality is impressive. I can't get enough of the smooth playback experience. It's like a symphony for my ears. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Heaven Sent
I'm absolutely in love with this app! It's like a library of stories in my pocket. I've become a more attentive listener thanks to the engaging audiobooks. ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true – from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions.
PixelPathfinder
ListenBook has become my go-to app for all things audio – from lectures to speeches, it's got it all. I can't imagine a day without this app – it has made my audiobook journey effortless and rewarding. Audiobook enthusiasts, celebrate! This app's thoughtful features, like auto-rewind and easy chapter navigation, cater perfectly to our reading cravings. 🎉📚 CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
DuckDuck
The ability to adjust playback speed is a fantastic study aid. I'm absorbing information faster than ever. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Mr. Alien
Automatic artwork and metadata retrieval is a time-saver. My library looks fantastic. Library organization is simplified with ListenBook. It's easy to keep my audiobooks neat and tidy. I'm amazed by the attention to detail, from automatic metadata extraction to customizable settings.
Tootsie Killer
I can't imagine my life without this app – it's my daily dose of literary magic. 🚶♀️📖 Exploring stories as I stroll – audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. 🏞️🎧 I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to jump between sections.
Mafia Rapunzel
The convenience of having an entire library at my fingertips is a dream come true. I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. With this app, reading is no longer confined to a specific time or place.
Darth 44
User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Roma Kabuki
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. The speed adjustment feature is my secret weapon for studying complex materials. I'm blown away by the attention to detail in every aspect of this app.
Terror Master
ListenBook's intuitive controls and beautiful layout make my audiobook experience a delightful one. ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. 🎉 Making each day a new chapter – this app keeps me hooked from morning to night! 📖🌄 Finally, an app that respects my busy lifestyle. Whether I'm commuting or exercising, this app's smooth playback and smart controls keep me engaged. 🏃♀️🎧 The app is so easy to use. I was up and running in minutes.
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook's dedication to delivering a top-notch experience is evident in every detail. ListenBook has become my workout buddy. It's seamlessly integrated with Apple Watch. ListenBook has become my workout companion of choice. It keeps me motivated and entertained during exercise. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it. 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.
Stallion Patton
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. The narrators' voices on this app are so soothing – it's my relaxation therapy. Looping playback is a valuable study tool. It helps me grasp complex content and retain information.
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