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Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 33,612 ratings

On the New York Times bestseller list for over 20 weeks * A New York Times Notable Book * A National Book Award Finalist * Named a Best Book of the Year by Fresh Air, Time, Entertainment Weekly, Associated Press, and many more

“If you’re looking for a superb novel, look no further.” —The Washington Post

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of All the Light We Cannot See, comes the instant New York Times bestseller that is a “wildly inventive, a humane and uplifting book for adults that’s infused with the magic of childhood reading experiences” (The New York Times Book Review).

Among the most celebrated and beloved novels of recent times,
Cloud Cuckoo Land is a triumph of imagination and compassion, a soaring story about children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope, and a book.

In the 15th century, an orphan named Anna lives inside the formidable walls of Constantinople. She learns to read, and in this ancient city, famous for its libraries, she finds what might be the last copy of a centuries-old book, the story of Aethon, who longs to be turned into a bird so that he can fly to a utopian paradise in the sky. Outside the walls is Omeir, a village boy, conscripted with his beloved oxen into the army that will lay siege to the city. His path and Anna’s will cross.

In the present day, in a library in Idaho, octogenarian Zeno rehearses children in a play adaptation of Aethon’s story, preserved against all odds through centuries. Tucked among the library shelves is a bomb, planted by a troubled, idealistic teenager, Seymour. This is another siege.

And in a not-so-distant future, on the interstellar ship Argos, Konstance is alone in a vault, copying on scraps of sacking the story of Aethon, told to her by her father.

Anna, Omeir, Seymour, Zeno, and Konstance are dreamers and outsiders whose lives are gloriously intertwined. Doerr’s dazzling imagination transports us to worlds so dramatic and immersive that we forget, for a time, our own.
Popular Highlights in this book

From the Publisher

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of October 2021: Anthony Doerr, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, has conjured an entirely new definition of brilliant literary magic with Cloud Cuckoo Land. Spanning hundreds of years, several continents, and partially taking place on a spaceship, Doerr traces the lives of multiple characters and explores how their lives intertwine over the fate of a single story. It’s expansive, transporting, and supremely gratifying—there’s the thrill of adventure, the nitty-gritty of relationships; there’s love and loss, and hope. Reminiscent of the mind-bending worlds of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks, Doerr steps into his own imagination with zeal, compassion, and a knack for conveying the strength of connection between people, generations, the earth, and the written word. —Al Woodworth, Amazon Editor

Review

Praise for Anthony Doerr and Cloud Cuckoo Land

*WINNER OF THE READING THE WEST BOOK AWARD AND THE OHIOANA BOOK AWARD*

“Sweeping and atmospheric.”
Time

“A magical (and hopeful) tale of humanity.”
People

“As intimate as a bedtime story, a love letter to libraries and bibliophiles.”
O Magazine

“A dazzling epic of love, war, and the joy of books.”
The Guardian

“A novel of epic stature and ambition.”
Buzzfeed

“[An] intricately braided story . . . [and] a stunning, mind-bending tale of survival and how closely we’re all connected.”
Good Housekeeping

"Doerr works literary magic to tell three cleverly entwined stories set centuries apart, celebrating children, and the natural world, and always, especially, libraries. We'll be talking about this one for a long time."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Packed with lush details and a gripping narrative.”
—Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair

“A trip well worth taking with the inimitable Doerr.”
—Rob Merrill, Associated Press

“Of all our contemporary fiction writers, Anthony Doerr is the one whose novels seem to be the purest response to the primal request:
tell me a story. . . . [Cloud Cuckoo Land] transports us far above the stars, and down into the mud. It dazzles, and disturbs. And I for one wanted Doerr’s vast and overwhelming story to last much, much longer.”
—Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air

“Sprawling and ambitious and imaginative. . . . [Doerr] is a writer with the rare ability to achieve the universal and the specific simultaneously. His stories, both vast and intimate, are dazzling, sometimes dizzying in their scope. . . . [
Cloud Cuckoo Land] is unlike anything you’ve ever read.”
—Samantha Schoech, San Francisco Chronicle

“Readers will come away from it with a greater appreciation for those invisible qualities that have bound human life across the ages—the love of a good story and the joy of returning home.”
—Samantha Spengler, Wired

“There’s no book like
Cloud Cuckoo Land… the story is mesmerizing, and the carefully-crafted tapestry of themes pulls characters and time periods together into an incandescent whole—tempting the reader to start over as soon as the book is finished.”
—Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Forbes

"Doerr's prose casts a spell; his world-building is both defiant and tender, a virtuosic meditation on the alchemy of books. Come for the magician's tricks, stay for the exquisite storytelling."
—Hamilton Cain, Star Tribune

“The greatest joy in [
Cloud Cuckoo Land] comes from watching the pieces snap into place. It is an epic of the quietest kind, whispering across 600 years in a voice no louder than a librarian's.”
—Jason Sheehan, NPR.org

“Doerr’s creation lifts off quickly, soars, and then, like the various wildfowl wheeling through the story, lands with practiced finesse. . . . Fueled by deep imagination and insistent compassion, Doerr weaves together his storylines with brisk pacing that never feels rushed.”
—Erin Douglass, Christian Science Monitor

“There is a kind of book a seasoned writer produces after a big success: large-hearted, wide in scope and joyous. Following his Pulitzer winner
All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land is a deep lungful of fresh air–and a gift of a novel.”
—Elizabeth Knox, The Guardian

“In a big fiction year . . .
Cloud Cuckoo Land stands out. . . . Doerr’s characters are astoundingly resilient, suggesting that we may yet save ourselves, with literature an essential tool.”
—Hamilton Cain, Boston Globe

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08TRMSR3Z
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner (September 28, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 637 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 33,612 ratings

About the author

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Anthony Doerr
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Anthony Doerr has won numerous prizes for his fiction, including the Pulitzer Prize and the Carnegie Medal. His novel, 'All the Light We Cannot See,' was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and his new novel, 'Cloud Cuckoo Land,' published in September of 2021, was a finalist for the National Book Award. Learn more at www.anthonydoerr.com.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
33,612 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story creative and interesting. They appreciate the thought-provoking themes and big ideas in the book. The characters are engaging and well-developed. Many readers describe the journey as enjoyable and rewarding. They praise the dazzling imagery and artful construction of the book. Overall, they find the story weaves together seamlessly.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

503 customers mention "Story quality"432 positive71 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story with its intertwined tapestry. They find it an interesting journey that blends sci-fi, historical fiction, and contemporary topics. The book transports readers into breathtaking worlds and brings together history, science fiction, climate change, mental health, and other topics.

"...Full of personal tragedies, adventure, bravery, and hope, Anna’s life story in particular is a profound example of how a book can become a source of..." Read more

"...His ability to transport readers into breathtaking worlds is surely a cut above the rest, and certainly makes him worthy of being an esteemed member..." Read more

"...most enjoyable distinction of the novel is how the tradition of oral storytelling is revered and explored throughout through various means and views...." Read more

"...Doerr does all of this with brilliant, but never self-conscious writing...you know the type that stops you with a brilliant metaphor and then you..." Read more

181 customers mention "Thought provoking"162 positive19 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging. They appreciate the theme and big ideas that transcend being a page-turner. The stories are described as great, with engaging details and great stories. Readers find the book hopeful about mankind and enriched by its thoughtfulness. The book begins slowly but builds to a fulfilling conclusion.

"...bravery, and hope, Anna’s life story in particular is a profound example of how a book can become a source of strength during times of hopelessness..." Read more

"...To say that I have never read such a creative and clever story such as “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is simply the truth...." Read more

"...Overall, this is a very thoughtful, philosophical, and reflective journey. I’m eager to pick up another title from this author in the future." Read more

"...Yet other individuals throughout history display mercy and kindness and offer acts of self-sacrifice that leave us astonished...." Read more

138 customers mention "Character development"111 positive27 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging and interesting characters in the book. They appreciate how the characters tie together across three timelines. Readers also praise the author as empathetic and one of America's most beloved writers.

"Anthony Doerr is one of America’s most beloved writers...." Read more

"...What links all these characters is a story. A story that was once lost and has been found. A story that saves each of their lives...." Read more

"...It is spectacularly embroidered with five main characters...." Read more

"...There are essentially five points of view here and each leading character is strongly drawn...." Read more

97 customers mention "Enjoyment"97 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's prose and find it worth reading. They appreciate the journey and engaging story that holds their attention. The book is described as exciting and well-written.

"...It’s a silly story full of profound lessons and comedic relief - one that both inspires and gives refuge to the lost and the weary...." Read more

"...Sit back and enjoy the ride!" Read more

"A flawed, but humane and poignant story that held my attention and touched my heart...." Read more

"...to live inside of it for a few precious moments and be content, entertained, and remember the loved ones they have lost...." Read more

91 customers mention "Beauty"91 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's beauty. They praise its dazzling concept and execution, with luscious imagery and artfully constructed plot. The writing is beautiful and the characters are well-rounded. Overall, readers describe it as an intricate tapestry of creativity and a masterwork of creativity.

"...While not quite as lyrical as All the Light, Doerr’s imagery and prose are still captivating...." Read more

"...I can only hope he will win another Pulitzer prize for this beautiful novel that seriously knocked my socks off...." Read more

"...writing is splendid and observant with gorgeous details and images throughout the novel, especially his recreation of Constantinople and the story..." Read more

"...love-letter to stories and books is beautiful and enthralling, a masterpiece, and has been predicted to be in the running for next year's Pulitzer...." Read more

67 customers mention "Weave"62 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the intricate weaving of the story. They find the connections between characters and cultures intriguing. The book weaves together the past, present, and future in an engaging way.

"...All five main characters will be linked by an amazingly constructed greek mythologic fable created by Anthony Doerr about "Aethon", a man who..." Read more

"...of the work is not in the individual lives but in the totality of the woven tapestry, with each life contributing color and texture to the..." Read more

"...of my mind that masterfully weaves mythos, past, present and future together, vignetting all of the current anxieties of our world and what we’ve..." Read more

"...time, broke them apart, and sewed them together to form an interesting yet cohesive whole. I tried deconstructing the narrative style...." Read more

250 customers mention "Writing quality"151 positive99 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality. Some find it good and engaging, with excellent descriptions and command of language. Others find it challenging and confusing at times, taking a few chapters to get going.

"...Doerr doesn’t just write about the ancient tale - he writes the entire book into this novel...." Read more

"At first, I just scratched my head. What is going on? Too many bits and pieces. Then I re-read he back of the book to get clued in...." Read more

"...With extraordinary writing skills, this author to me, is a master story teller...." Read more

"...Doerr does all of this with brilliant, but never self-conscious writing...you know the type that stops you with a brilliant metaphor and then you..." Read more

81 customers mention "Pacing"53 positive28 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pacing. Some find it engaging and fantastic, with great pacing and structure. Others feel the start is slow and disjointed, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion.

"...It's fascinating how Doerr brings history, sci fi, climate change, mental health, and so much more into one novel. Sit back and enjoy the ride!" Read more

"...care at all about the plot because this thing just staggers and lopes along at a snails pace and where it does get interesting, the thread stops and..." Read more

"...But it is nonetheless dazzling in its conception and execution...." Read more

"...who, what, and where, the 5 main stories involve, it was not a problem reading it and becoming invested with Anna, Ormeir, Seymour, Zeno, Konstance..." Read more

I’m so sad I’ve finished the book
5 out of 5 stars
I’m so sad I’ve finished the book
This book was a fabulous trip: to the future, the past and our current mess ( but never gets too sad or preachy)- all wrapped around one theme. Doerr is the Einstein, -the Michelangelo of prose, plot and characterization. I’m just sad I’ve finished- ugh… now what? What can satisfy after this book? Cloud Cuckoo Land is my all time favorite book now.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023
    Cloud Cuckoo Land is an Ancient Greek tale of a man not satisfied with his current existence, so he spends his life trying to find a legendary city in the sky where no one ever suffers or wants for anything. It’s a silly story full of profound lessons and comedic relief - one that both inspires and gives refuge to the lost and the weary.

    Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel follows Cloud Cuckoo Land the Ancient Greek book for over 700 years. It’s nearly lost over and over again to war, to the elements, to egregious acts of man, and to the passage of time. It survives against all odds - and it shapes and connects the lives of 5 main characters: Anna, Omeir, Zeno, Seymour, and Konstance.

    Despite living in different centuries, the characters all have two things in common:

    1. They are each born a little different and because of this they struggle to adapt to the world around them.

    2. Every one of their lives is deeply and irrevocably changed by Cloud Cuckoo Land.

    ——

    Anna/Omeir - Set in the 15th century at opposing sides of a great war, the Anna and Omeir chapters serve as something of an origin (or, rather, discovery) story for Cloud Cuckoo Land. Full of personal tragedies, adventure, bravery, and hope, Anna’s life story in particular is a profound example of how a book can become a source of strength during times of hopelessness. Without her tenacity, Omeir’s faithfulness, and the early examples of libraries touched upon in these chapters, Cloud Cuckoo Land would never have made it out of the 15th century.

    Zeno/Seymour - Zeno and Seymour are born generations apart. While the circumstances of their lives are very different, both are at odds with the world around them. Often navigating life restless and alone, it takes them years to stop running and finally find peace and purpose. Their paths cross dangerously at a library in the 21st century, and the events of that day will forever change the lives of everyone involved - as well as the trajectory of the book Cloud Cuckoo Land.

    Konstance - In the 22nd century, humans have destroyed the planet and are trying to start over on a new Earth called Beta Oph2. Konstance and her parents are a part of this mission. Guided by an AI named Sybil, they spend most of their days inside of the library on their ship called The Argos, researching and preparing for humanity to live in the new world. The fate of Cloud Cuckoo Land once again lies in the hands of a young girl who in turn comes to rely on the ancient story as a sort of lighthouse beaconing her home.

    And then, of course, there is Cloud Cuckoo Land itself. Doerr doesn’t just write about the ancient tale - he writes the entire book into this novel. By the time readers are finished, they will have essentially read four books in one: Anna/Omeir, Zeno/Seymour, Konstance, and Cloud Cuckoo Land. Chapter by chapter, Doerr alternates timelines and points of view. Piece by piece, the individual stories puzzle together over time just as they did in All the Light We Cannot See. While not quite as lyrical as All the Light, Doerr’s imagery and prose are still captivating.

    There are many lessons to be found within this book, but above all, Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel is an incredible, slow-burning love story. It’s a story about the love of reading, and the deep appreciation for those who make it possible. It is a lot and it won’t be for everyone. It didn’t click for me until I was about 20% of the way through. But if reading has changed you, or even saved you, then you might find your love story reflected in this too.
    149 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021
    From the Pulitzer Prize Winning Author of “All the Light We Cannot See”, Anthony Doerr has just released his new novel titled “Cloud Cuckoo Land”! With extraordinary writing skills, this author to me, is a master story teller. His ability to transport readers into breathtaking worlds is surely a cut above the rest, and certainly makes him worthy of being an esteemed member of the Pulitzer family in the category of fiction. Is it similar to” All the Light We Cannot See”? No, not at all. In fact the author jumps off the diving board into a whole new realm and does it quite brilliantly.

    To say that I have never read such a creative and clever story such as “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is simply the truth. This is a story about a story told in 4 stories. Yes, that is what I just said.

    Fact: In ancient Greece, there was an author named Antonius Diogenes who wrote a fantastical fairytale-like story called “The Wonders of Thule”. Today only fragments of 12 pages remain. With snippets of Homer’s Odyssey, The Golden Ass of Lucius Apuleius, and what I think reminded me of the journey that Pinocchio took, the tale is of a poor shepherd boy who embarks on a wondrous pilgrimage wishing all along that he could be transformed into a bird.

    Within four different narratives of people in three different times and places, Anthony Doerr deftly interlaces the wise old Greek fable into each of their lives in the most creative and unique ways possible.
    Current times. Inside a small town library in Idaho an elderly Greek man named Zeno Ninis is directing a group of children who are acting out a play of "The Wonders of Thule", when a young and troubled young man named Seymour enters the building planning to set off a bomb.

    Constantinople 14th century. The lives of a young girl named Anna and a young boy named Omeir collide in desperate times with their individual stories of tragedy and survival. Omeir was born with a cleft lip leaving him ugly enough for his parents to sell him and his two pet oxen to a Sultan on crusade planning to attack the city of Constantinople. Anna and her sister are orphans raised by a wealthy Greek man who employs them as master embroiderers. When her sister falls ill, she learns of a young man who scrounges for anything worth selling in order to eat. When Anna becomes his assistant in theft she finds a valuable codex copy of "The Wonders of Thule".

    Far in the Future. On a spaceship named the Argos, teenager Konstance lives with many families who are traveling to a distant planet after Earth has been devastated from fatal environmental disasters. When Konstance was a child her father read a bedtime story to her. It was called "The Wonders of Thule". When a deadly virus mysteriously leaves her the sole survivor onboard the Argos, magical advanced technology helps Konstance uncover many secrets of the real truth behind the Argos’ mission.

    Anthony Doerr weaves a glorious carpet of connecting threads that lie within each of the character’s stories individually and as a whole so well, that by the time you come to the end you will be in awe of his ability to narrate such an incredible tale. I can only hope he will win another Pulitzer prize for this beautiful novel that seriously knocked my socks off. This book will make you appreciate the talent this author renders up to his readers.

    I usually give a star rating to my reviews, but honestly there are no high enough stars for books like this. Buy it, read it, be inspired! Feel the magic and the wonder of books! Thank you Anthony Doerr!
    55 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Oscar Scheepstra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read.
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 7, 2024
    Dense, complex, thrilling. This book is outstanding! I had to pace myself and take it slow to read the book so it would last longer.
  • Dr O.
    5.0 out of 5 stars splendid storytelling
    Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2023
    I liked this book for many reasons, although I could not read Doerr’s last book. But this one has all the right material: Aristophanes, comedy, a few brushes with tragedy, the same story told several different ways in several different eras and countries. The language is fun — Doerr likes to plays with words, not something I noticed in his previous book. The characters are all ages just as the story is ageless. It is ok not to be a hero, but it is ok to be a hero if someone needs a hero. People need to survive but not everyone. Life is about surviving, maybe not everyone but a good portion to start again and maybe learn from mistakes of the past. If books from the past survive, or even scraps of the past survive, that should be enough. Memory, knowledge, practical skills, language, these are tools we need to survive. Sacrifice of self is only worth it if survival of the species is at stake. And you’d better be right in your judgment of what is worthwhile. Otherwise you’ve thrown away something precious that might have preserved life.
  • Pablo B.
    5.0 out of 5 stars ¡ENTRA EN LA LISTA DE MIS NOVELAS FAVORITAS!
    Reviewed in Mexico on April 13, 2022
    Me encantó esta novela, ¡No quería acabarla de leer!
    Novela en la que la historia de varios personajes se entrelazan den distintos puntos del tiempo.
    La novela está bien escrita y es sumamente fácil de leer. Realmente te lleva a otro mundo.
    ¡No te vas a arrepentir de leerla, recomiendo 100%!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A tale of infinite tales
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2024
    This may be one of the most captivating books I've ever read. It's truly epic, knitting together the story of an ancient Greek text, to the stories of the siege of Constantinople, the Korean War, a glimpse into 70's England, and a spaceship, decades into the future. The golden thread throughout all this is the representation of humanity with Aethon's story serving as the allegorical tapestry.

    With so many stories, over so many starkly different time periods, I wasn't sure I would be equally enraptured by all the individual tales. But ultimately, I was. Anna's story got me first, whereas Konstance, in her spaceship, initially felt literally and figuratively distant. Yet I soon found myself impatient to get back to her whilst simultaneously utterly absorbed with Anna, Omeir, Zeno, or Seymour. Every character is so very well drawn, with at least something about each of their stories that deeply resonated with me. The device of jumping between different arcs doesn't always work for me, I can become disinterested, but here it added a layer of suspense as all the parts unspooled to reveal the mystery.

    In terms of themes, Cloud Cuckoo Land covers everything from the futility of war, to climate change, to corporate corruption. Injustices of sexism, ableism poverty and homophobia are interweaved organically as the characters' stories unfold. But overall, this is a homage to books. And a wonderfully realised one at that.
  • Jacob Werblow
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and mesmerizing
    Reviewed in Germany on March 11, 2024
    The book starts off quite slow, maybe even boring, since the narrative is split between five main characters. However, it is worth reading through each of their backstories despite that. Once the book really gets started, it is impossible to put down.
    What you are presented with is a unique story of five characters in different eras connected through the centuries by a codex, the story of Cloud Cuckoo Land, in a way that is only gradually revealed as the story goes on. Chapter by chapter, the book follows different characters as they encounter, or even relive, parts of the story at different points in their lives, which gives it a very unique structure. Even though two of the characters each are on opposing sides of a conflict, they are so human it is impossible not to feel for all of them.
    Although the book does lean into environmentalism a bit much at times, it contains five incredible stories in one, connected in a unique way and with an amazing twist near the end. Definitely would recommend.

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