Kaveh Akbar's novel 'Martyr!' is a journey of identity, addiction and poetry

Kaveh Akbar's novel 'Martyr!' is a journey of...

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Lois Lowry on 'Building 903,' 'The Giver' and relationships between the old and young

It’s been more than a decade since Lois Lowry has dealt with the end of the world. Her 1993 YA dystopian novel The Giver became a hugely popular middle school staple. She expanded that universe into a quartet of novels wrapping up with 2012’s Son (her personal favorite of the ser ...  Show more

In 'Roll the Calls,' Hollywood's Ari Emanuel reflects on the art of agenting

Ari Emanuel is a powerful Hollywood agent who has represented clients including Oprah Winfrey, Martin Scorsese and Vince McMahon. Known for his brash approach to business, he was the model for the character Ari Gold on Entourage. In an interview with Morning Edition, Emanuel told ...  Show more

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Kaveh Akbar Finds Meaning in Martyrdom
The Book Case

Kaveh Akbar weighs every word that he writes. An accomplished and published poet, any reader can tell that he understands the undeniable power of language with his first novel, called Martyr! Engaging, funny, fascinating and downright beautiful, Martyr! grabs your attention by th ...  Show more

Interview | Kaveh Akbar on Martyr!, Trauma, and Collateral Damage
Learn Persian with Chai and Conversation

Kaveh Akbar is the Iranian-American author of the critically acclaimed and heavily lauded novel Martyr! In our long-awaited conversation we dive deep into the themes of his powerful book, Martyr, which explores the human cost of so-called “collateral damage” ...

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Kaveh Akbar — How Prayer Works
Poetry Unbound

A narrative prose poem about two brothers — one on a visit home from college — who are turning to face east in their small shared room. With seven years between them, one is a young man and the other, the poet, is nearing his teens. Their prayer is interrupted by a sudden surpris ...  Show more

Kaveh Akbar Reads Ellen Bryant Voigt
The New Yorker: Poetry

Kaveh Akbar joins Kevin Young to read and discuss Ellen Bryant Voigt’s poem "Groundhog" and his own poem "What Use is Knowing Anything If No One Is Around". Akbar is the author of the poetry collection “Calling a Wolf a Wolf,” as well as the recipient of a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy ...  Show more