Martyr!: A Novel

Martyr!: A Novel by Kaveh Akbar

An Iranian man, Cyrus,  had a rough childhood. His mother died in a plane crash when he was an infant. His father immigrated with him to the US where he worked a blue collar job. The father wanted a better life for his son. They adapted to the new life. The man's father was partially living through his son and died shortly after the son went off to college.

Cyrus went through periods of alcohol and drug use. He had relationships with men and women. He would present himself as "Iranian" or "American" depending on what is convenient. He has taken up poetry. He is attracted to an artist that has put "herself" on display for the last months of her life as she is dying from terminal illness. After talking with her previously, he eagerly goes to talk with her a final time, but finds she has died. He later learns that she is his mother. She had switched id with another woman and was never on the flight.

The book travels back and forth in time and alternates between "real" experience and dreams. There are parts told from the view of important figures of the day as well as the narrative of the main characters. Despite the back and forth, it is fairly easy to follow.