Death, Sex & Money
After Sobriety, Chasing Goosebumps Instead of Highs
Feb 11, 2025
Kaveh Akbar, an acclaimed poet and writer whose novel 'Martyr!' is a National Book Award finalist, shares his journey from addiction to sobriety. He discusses how poetry became his new obsession and a healing outlet. Kaveh reflects on the transformative power of creative expression and how it reshaped his identity. He humorously recounts his youthful passions, like collecting basketball cards, and emphasizes the importance of embracing new, healthier obsessions in life.
49:07
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Quick takeaways
- Kaveh Akbar underscores the importance of community in his sobriety journey, highlighting how genuine kindness reshaped his understanding of relationships.
- His novel 'Martyr!' uniquely explores addiction through themes of friendship and creativity, reflecting the therapeutic potential of artistic expression in recovery.
Deep dives
The Inventiveness of 'Martyr'
The novel 'Martyr' by Kaveh Akbar features a unique approach to storytelling, particularly in its portrayal of addiction. Unlike many narratives that lean on the trope of relapse, this novel explores themes such as friendship, art, generational trauma, and creative expression, making it a refreshing take within the genre. Akbar's background as a poet infuses the book with a lyrical quality, and readers often find themselves captivated by the intricate layers of his narratives. The richness of the content – from manual labor to dream sequences – allows for a multifaceted exploration of the human experience and places it in a context that resonates with authenticity.
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