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.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
A Poultry Meet-Cute
Kaveh Akbar's parents met during a poultry science class.
His mother, struggling to humanely kill a chicken, was assisted by his father.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Duck Farm Reality
Kaveh's father worked on corporate duck farms, not idyllic settings.
The farms were biosecure factories focused on efficient protein production.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Finding His Calling
Kaveh's strict upbringing led to a voracious reading habit.
Discovering contemporary poetry, specifically Yusuf Komunyaka's work, ignited his passion for writing.
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The Bell Jar is a thinly veiled autobiography that follows Esther Greenwood, a talented and ambitious college student, as she experiences a mental breakdown. The novel begins with Esther's unfulfilling summer internship as a guest editor for a women's magazine in New York City, where she grapples with identity and societal norms. Upon returning home, Esther's mental health deteriorates, leading to several suicide attempts and eventual hospitalization. The novel explores her treatment, including electroconvulsive therapy, and her gradual recovery under the care of a progressive psychiatrist. It also critiques the limited roles available to women in the 1950s and the brutal psychiatric treatments of the time[2][3][5].
Martyr!
a Novel
Kaveh Akbar
Neon Vernacular
Neon Vernacular
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Yusuf Komunyakaa
Yusuf Komunyakaa's "Neon Vernacular" is a collection of poems that showcases his distinctive style and thematic concerns. The poems explore the experiences of African Americans, particularly in the context of war and urban life. Komunyakaa's work is characterized by its vivid imagery, musicality, and exploration of complex emotions. He masterfully blends personal experiences with broader social and historical contexts. The collection's impact lies in its powerful portrayal of the human condition and its exploration of the enduring legacy of trauma and resilience.
When the poet and writer Kaveh Akbar likes something, he really likes it. As a high school student, he got hooked on poetry. In college, it was alcohol. This week, Kaveh talks to Anna Sale about the factors that led to his sobriety, and he explains exactly how he manages a life that’s full of healthy, wonderful obsessions as well as problematic ones.
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