Kaveh Akbar

Kaveh Akbar is an Iranian American poet, novelist, and editor who has gained recognition for his compelling literary works and contributions to contemporary poetry. His published works include the poetry collections "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" and "Pilgrim Bell," as well as his debut novel "Martyr!" which became a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist. As the director of the undergraduate creative writing program at the University of Iowa and Poetry Editor of The Nation, Akbar has established himself as an influential figure in American letters. He founded Divedapper, a poetry interview platform, and has been celebrated for his dedication to promoting poetry, with NPR dubbing him "poetry's biggest cheerleader" in 2018. Born in Tehran in 1989 and relocating to the United States at age two, Akbar's work often explores themes of identity, addiction, and faith. His achievements have been recognized with prestigious honors including a Guggenheim Fellowship, and in 2024 he was named to TIME magazine's TIME100 Next list. The award-winning writer holds degrees from Purdue University, Butler University, and Florida State University, where he completed his PhD in creative writing. His work has garnered significant attention, with his novel "Martyr!" being selected as one of Barack Obama's favorite books of the year.

Readers emphasize Akbar's skill with language precision and emotional vulnerability, particularly in his poetry collections "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" and "Portrait of the Alcoholic." Multiple reviews note his fresh perspective on addiction, faith, and Iranian-American identity. Liked: - Raw honesty about recovery and sobriety - Unique metaphors and imagery - Accessible yet complex poetry style - Integration of Persian culture and Islamic references Disliked: - Some poems described as too abstract or fragmented - Occasional repetition of themes - Dense references that require multiple readings Ratings: Goodreads: "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" - 4.3/5 (5,000+ ratings) "Portrait of the Alcoholic" - 4.4/5 (800+ ratings) Amazon: "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" - 4.6/5 (200+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "His writing cuts through pretense with surgical precision while maintaining a sense of wonder" - Goodreads reviewer

Calling a Wolf a Wolf (2017) A poetry collection examining addiction recovery, spirituality, and the complexities of Iranian-American identity through vivid, personal verses.

Pilgrim Bell (2021) A collection of poems that explores faith, prayer, and cultural inheritance while questioning power structures and religious devotion.

Martyr! (2024) A novel following Cyrus Shams, a young Iranian-American man obsessed with martyrdom who searches for meaning while uncovering family secrets in Indiana.

Ocean Vuong writes about immigrant experience, family relationships, and cultural identity through both poetry and prose, exploring themes that parallel Akbar's work. His writing style combines raw emotional intensity with careful attention to language and metaphor.

Hanif Abdurraqib creates work that bridges poetry and cultural criticism, examining personal history alongside broader social themes. His writing demonstrates a similar commitment to exploring faith, identity, and American culture as seen in Akbar's work.

Solmaz Sharif writes poetry that investigates the intersection of language, power, and Iranian-American identity. Her work shares Akbar's interest in the political dimensions of language and the immigrant experience.

Saeed Jones explores themes of identity, sexuality, and personal transformation through poetry and memoir. His work demonstrates a similar rawness and willingness to confront difficult personal truths as found in Akbar's writing.

Franny Choi examines themes of identity, technology, and power through poetry that combines personal narrative with cultural critique. Her work shares Akbar's attention to formal innovation and interest in exploring contemporary American experience.