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.
Jetta Talent
This app has given me the joy of reading even when my hands are full. ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. 🧘♀️☕ Unwinding with a cup of tea and a captivating audiobook – relaxation meets intellectual stimulation. 🍵📖 I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. 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!
Lady Pomegranate
Listening to audiobooks while gardening has made my outdoor time even more relaxing. This app has reignited my love for literature and made it a part of my everyday life. 🎉 Finding the perfect audiobook is a breeze with this app's robust search and recommendation features. My reading list has never been better! 📚💫 Audiobooks on the go – this app's design prioritizes convenience. Downloading audiobooks is a breeze, thanks to the variety of options available.
Cupid Dust
Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. Effortlessly enjoying audiobook journeys – this app's ease of use is a winner. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. ListenBook has revolutionized the way I consume content. It's like having a personal tutor in my ear.
Candy Butcher
Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that enhances the immersion in the content.
Nibbler
ListenBook's support for playlists in CUE format is a detail-oriented touch I truly appreciate. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple. The statistics tracking feature is very useful. ListenBook helps me keep track of my listening time.
VisionVortex
⭐️ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality – I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. 👏🎧 ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length feature is fantastic.
Round Kick Boomer
This app isn't just a tool, it's a wellspring of inspiration and positive vibes. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch, combined with its chapters, controls, and filters, make it the ultimate audiobook app! ListenBook's dedication to delivering top-notch audio quality is evident in every detail. 📱 A world of books at my fingertips – this app's user-friendly design makes it a true reading companion. 📚📱
HolyCombo
I'm in awe of how this app has brought new dimensions to my reading experience. ListenBook’s playback is smooth and reliable. I never have issues with audio quality. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
SneakerKid
ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a versatile companion for my daily activities. ListenBook's powerful audio downloading features make it easy to keep my content at my fingertips. ⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 The app's attention to detail is commendable. It's evident in every feature. Flawless support for various audio formats. Very happy with it.
Gov Skull
Audiobooks have become a source of inspiration and motivation, thanks to this app. 📚 The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. 📱📖 Drag and drop downloads are so convenient. No more messing around with complicated steps. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction is a lifesaver. I can hear clearly even in noisy environments. I love the auto-bookmark feature. It saves my place automatically.
Minty Devil
ListenBook Pro offers amazing value with unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction features. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. With this app, every moment is an opportunity to dive into a new story. Adjusting the tone of the voice is so innovative. It's like personalizing the narration.
Onion King
ListenBook's sleek interface and precise controls make it a joy to use during my daily listening sessions. I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
Ember Master
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. ListenBook has all the features I need. My go-to audiobook app!
Acetic Princess
I'm amazed by how this app effortlessly turns my daily routines into enjoyable learning sessions. This app is a game-changer for anyone who's always on the go – it's like carrying a library in my pocket. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling.
DeathDancer
ListenBook's dedication to optimizing for iOS 16 ensures a seamless experience on the latest devices. ListenBook's chapters, controls, and filters have transformed my listening sessions into immersive journeys. ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever.
Mud Finger
ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. I can't imagine my daily rituals without this app – it's a constant source of joy. ListenBook has turned my daily routines into audiobook-driven journeys of imagination. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. 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.
Crossing Guard
Accessing literary treasures has never been this straightforward – thank you, app! Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Rusty Vortex
ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. Binaural audio processing is a godsend. My ears don't fatigue even during extended listening. The app's compatibility with Apple Watch elevates my workouts, making them more engaging and productive.
Sleek Assassin
Kudos to the app for making literature accessible to those with busy schedules. ListenBook has made my daily activities more interesting and meaningful – I'm hooked! ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook has redefined my audiobook experience. It's an essential tool that enhances every listening session. High-quality playback even with complex formats like FLAC. Impressive!
Sexy
The layout of ListenBook is so beautiful and user-friendly, making it a pleasure to use. 🚗📖 Beating traffic blues with engaging audiobooks – driving has never been this fun! 🚗🎧 Noise reduction feature is magic. Now I can listen to recordings even in noisy settings. ListenBook has transformed my daily commute. I look forward to my journeys with this app by my side. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
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