Martyr!

 1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• If you were describing Martyr! to someone who had never read it, what three adjectives would you use, and why? Would you recommend the novel? Why or why not?
• How does Martyr! compare to other works you’ve read that explore the immigrant experience in the US?
• Martyr! is Akbar’s debut novel, but he has previously published two collections of poetry, Calling a Wolf a Wolf (2017) and Pilgrim Bell (2021), and poetry also features prominently in Martyr!. Which part of Martyr! did you enjoy more, the poetry or the prose, and why? 

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Cyrus’s family feels pressure to conform to mainstream American culture due to prejudice against Middle Eastern immigrants. Did reading Martyr! change your beliefs about the extent to which immigrants to a country should assimilate? What are the downsides of assimilation, both for immigrants and for the society receiving them? 
• How did you feel about the novel’s depiction of addiction? Do you think it tackled the topic sensitively?
• Cyrus is fascinated with the idea of being a martyr. Could you relate to this desire? Why do you think people are drawn to the idea?
• One of the main themes in the novel is language’s insufficiency in capturing life’s most meaningful experiences.