The Librarian's Husband's Book Club discussion
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Martyr!
July 2025 - Global Firsts
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Martyr! - Active Reading Discussion
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I started the audiobook yesterday evening when my library surprised me by delivering it weeks early. First impressions: man needs some psychological assistance.
This book is killing me. I just am not resonating with the characters!
Are you reading it or listening to the audiobook, Tiffany? I did the audiobook and it got easier after 50-60%. I had a day of chores. I always audiobook while doing chores. That made it easier for me.
I have the audiobook on hold but I'm like 10 weeks out. So, I have a hard copy.
I'm with you, Julie, I think I need audio.
I do still believe I would enjoy this more through audio. Im finally about page 111 and Ali Shams, thought: "To say no to a new day would be unthinkable. So each morning you said yes, then stepped into the consequence." That was kind of an intense thought for me.
Finished. Mulling over how I want to review.
It took me a bit too!
Julie, I think if someone were to ask, I would tell them to do Audio for the book.
Morning Tiffany, I basically stopped reading book about 5-6 years ago. I had slowed down reading because I was busy and would fall asleep the second I settled down to read. I’ve read all my life and missed it. I also was in the car A Lot. So I started audiobooks then and I don’t see myself going back.
While I didn’t experience this book in the written format, the story flowed in audiobook. It took me through the emotions and turmoil easily. I could tell that it may have been harder for me to read. unusual words, accents and language inconsistencies are much easier for me to traverse in audio! I started this book at a fast speed but had to slow it down a bit so I could follow the story better. I was a bit of an emotional ride.
I was happy you didn’t give up, Tiffany as I know you were struggling. I am looking forward to your thoughts on it.
I just finished The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Voung. I would recommend Audi for this one too if you give it a listen. Somehow it reminded me a bit of martyr.
Unlike most here, I'm not fond of audio...attention span! Anyway, it starts off weird with the lightbulb flicker...he wants confirmation but it doesn't seem he gets it. Still, it jumps 2 years and appears he's sober.
Talks about peeing himself when he was using then we're told his uncle would pee on his sister and make her think she was bed-wetting.
Talks about being so sad and then fights with sponsor/says he's done with him...still a couple of calls.
He finds his mother, maybe, but she doesn't reveal herself and her obituary is defensive and all about herself.
The uncle refusing to talk about the painting...did he know she wasn't on the plane?
It feels like Zee died after walking out. Cyrus has a dream with both Zee and Orkideh. Talks about stars, stars, stars....
The book begins with "My God, I just remembered that we die" and it ends with "My God, I just remembered that we die, But - but me too?! Don't forget that for now, it's strawberry season." This is the final sentence from Clarice Lispector's book "The Hour of the Stars". Supposedly it symbolizes the fleeting nature of life and inevitability of death, that life is transitory so cherish the present.
The Coda...why 1997? Significance of mirrors in birdcages? The crucified hand? The weird joke? She even talks about Roya loving her and Roya said earlier that she didn't. Or "the whole absurd production suddenly blossoming straight into our faces, on purpose."
I read this at the same time as "Black Butterflies", similarities like crazy! Art was the main theme, war-torn countries, wives cheating on husbands, the child with the father, both had a myth story involving gold and building a bridge... Just seemed a little surreal.
How are you engaging with Cyrus’s journey so far? Are there themes, images, or moments that are sticking with you?
Use this space to share reflections as you read, and please tag any spoilers along the way.