Iranian-American author Kaveh Akbar joins us in the Chicago Humanities Tapes studio for an exclusive conversation about his debut novel Martyr!, which was recently shortlisted for the 2024 National Book Award. He chats with podcast host Alisa Rosenthal about his poetry background as a novelist, the multitudes we hold during times of tragedy, his love of Chicago, and ‘90s nostalgia. Plus, a brief preview of his live 10/26 Chicago Humanities event with fellow Midwestern author John Green.

Snag tickets to 10/26 Kaveh Akbar: Seeking Meaning in Faith, Art, and Others with John Green at Northwestern University here.

SHOW NOTES:

Read the podcast transcript.

CW: Mention of suicide

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

PHOTO: Alisa Rosenthal and Kaveh Akbar chat over Zoom.

READ: Kaveh Akbar, Martyr!: A Novel

Edited and mixed by Alisa Rosenthal

Podcast story editing by Alexandra Quinn

Copy assistance from Katherine Kermgard

Additional assistance from Mark Bazer and David Vish