Bulgakov knew he’d never see this published in his lifetime—but lucky for us, his wife believed otherwise. She preserved the manuscript and got it into the world after his death. The result? A wild, brilliant ride we’re still talking about. 4 out of 5 stars.

There’s also a quieter thread—a story of Pontius Pilate that adds depth and weight, almost like a tragic subplot in a larger production. It grounds the madness without slowing it down.

The Devil shows up in Soviet Moscow with a crew that includes a giant talking cat, and the chaos that follows is pure theatrical satire. It’s surreal, funny, and biting—like a political comedy with broomsticks and brimstone.

I had an absolute blast!! So grateful for Cozy Stationery Friends Club bringing us together—definitely felt like kindred spirits right away. The perfect day: great convo, stationery shopping, and cozy journaling time. Can’t wait for more hangouts and to keep building this friendship! 💜✨

Ultimately, Martyr! is a thoughtful and richly layered novel, even if its themes occasionally felt imbalanced. If you enjoy literary fiction with poetic depth and emotional weight, it’s well worth the read.

Rating: ★★★½

A standout moment was the relationship between Roya and Leila, a sapphic love story full of tension and intimacy. Akbar beautifully captured the enrapture of a kiss, tinged with the risk of discovery. This portrayal inspired me to seek out more stories like theirs.

However, the narrative’s focus on recovery occasionally felt secondary to the more compelling exploration of Cyrus’s identity as an artist and an Iranian man. These two elements truly drove the story and kept me invested.

Though it was difficult to like Cyrus because of his damning and selfish choices, his struggles felt authentic—especially for someone familiar with the complexities of addiction. Akbar’s portrayal of bouts of alcoholism and the raw emotions tied to them was spot-on.

Akbar’s poetic prowess shines in his emotive, weighted prose, creating fully realized and believable characters whose voices resonate deeply.

—in the best way—leaving you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even considering adopting a bird (or not). It’s proof that even when the world feels turned on its head, a little companionship can make all the difference. ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)

In the end, The Vulnerables is a delightful reminder that even in the weirdest, most chaotic times, a neurotic parrot and some awkward human interactions can teach us a thing or two about resilience. Nunez’s mix of humor, heart, and literary flair makes this a story that sneaks up on you

creating something new and unexpectedly insightful—like a collage you don’t realize is art until you step back and take it all in.

As I read, I was reminded of Margo Jefferson’s Constructing a Nervous System. Nunez has a similar talent for weaving together fragments of literary references and personal experiences,

It’s part pandemic blues, part feathered therapy, and wholly introspective.

When a solitary writer ends up babysitting a neurotic bird named Eureka while holed up with a college student, the result is a quirky, unexpectedly heartwarming story about isolation, unlikely companionship, and the bizarre ways we try to stay sane when the world turns upside down.

Overall, it’s a solid read with a strong emotional core, but it could benefit from more balance between showing and telling. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (3/5 stars)

However, the narrative can feel heavy-handed at times, with key details often spelled out through characters’ dialogue and reflections rather than being naturally integrated into the storyline. A more nuanced approach could have brought greater depth and subtlety to an otherwise engaging tale.