Kaveh Akbar

Kaveh Akbar, a poet and author known for exploring themes of addiction and Iranian-American identity, discusses his novel 'Martyr!' which follows protagonist Cyrus through challenges related to his heritage and recovery. The conversation highlights the complexities of finding home through empathy and language. Akbar shares how he balances serious themes like martyrdom with humor and dreams, illustrating the depth of his characters. His reflections on the joy of publishing and engaging with the literary community resonate throughout the discussion.