I received an advanced copy from #Netgally for an honest review.

Generations between them, one piece of literature connects them all: Giving them hope, courage and the meaning of life. Cloud Cuckoo Land is a multi layered work of genius fiction that will stay in your heart, mind and soul long after the book closes..

A solid 5 star for me!!!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this! It was compared to Cloud Atlas, and I definitely get why. I truly connected with every character in this book, and loved the way this story flowed. Additionally, this was beautifully and vividly written. I was easily transported to the places the author discussed. As a librarian I am also always drawn to books that involves libraries and stories.

Review-Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Because I totally loved Anthony Doerr’s book All the Light We Cannot See, and his Shell Seekers: Stories, I decided to get comfortable and read Cloud Cockoo Land, but I was so disappointed! In fact, I couldn’t finish it! I gave it a try and got to 42%, but alas, I could not continue. The book jumped around from a Library in Idaho with Seymore a troubled teenager to Anna an orphan who lives with her abandoned sister during the great siege of Constantinople. The story springs forward to Konstance who is adrift in an interstellar ship, Argos, in the future. What ties them together is their love for an ancient story, librarian friends and the author’s imagination. I do enjoy Doerr’s descriptive writing, but I just could not get into the story!

By Shirley W

I absolutely loved Anthony Doerr's previous book, All the Light We Cannot See and recommended it to all my family and friends to read too, so I was extremely excited to receive Cloud Cuckoo Land from Scribner to read as a digital ARC.

I was at first slightly concerned when I began reading that with the alternating viewpoints of past (Anna & Omeir 1400's Constantinople & Bulgaria), present (Zino 1940s-present Korea/Idaho & Seymour present Idaho), and future (Konstance on spaceship Argos--which is aptly named!) characters interwoven with an Ancient Greek manuscript being translated into a play about a man who longs for paradise but eventually finds that his best paradise is at home, that it would be too confusing to me to accurately comprehend the story being told. However, Doerr expertly created easily visualized, detailed worlds within each chapter, vibrant characters that the reader deeply cares about and a story that connects all of these seemingly disconnected events. Overarching themes of putting family and community before oneself, caring for the environment and creating a beautiful future for our next generations are embedded within the story and give readers things to think about for our current world's fate as well as hope within our own lives as we address adversity.

The only element that concerned me, when reading, was how Seymour was vividly portrayed as clearly being on the autism spectrum, seemingly becoming violent as a result of his difficulties in life dealing with his sensitivities & his inability to cope in society. People on the autism spectrum are not more likely to become violent than those who are neurotypical, so it is unfortunate that this element may lead people to continue to believe some stereotypes & misconceptions about those on the spectrum.

The story was enveloping--I could NOT put it down, as I cared for each character and silently cheered them on! Sometimes the chapters ended too quickly and I wished I could have spent more time with that character before moving onto the next. I loved that this book is about libraries, books and librarians as they have a positive effect on so many lives, including my own. I had many questions about Konstance. It would have been interesting to have known more about her mother's backstory--why she choose the mission, who she was previously, what she was like growing up--just as we learned about Konstance's father. And although I loved that most of the characters had their stories wrapped up by the end and we got a peep into their futures and destinies, I would have loved a bit more conclusion about Konstance's journey and an explanation as to what happened to the Argos to have the expedition conclude as it did. Her journey captivated my imagination as I have always wondered, even as a small child what it will be like when future generations decide to set out to create a new world elsewhere. In the end, the book is really about "WHERE do we call HOME? and WHO is our Family? and WHAT is most meaningful in LIFE?"

A masterpiece for our times. Anthony Doerr weaves a tale across centuries based upon characters' interaction with an ancient Greek text he has also magically created. Doerr gifts us with five sets of multi-dimensional, unforgettable characters whose individual stories reach across the continents. It takes genius to be able to carry the reader seamlessly through such a complex and magical tale while employing such beautiful language and imagery. I was drawn deeply into this novel, yet was so satisfied by the conclusion that I did not mind that it ended as I will carry its memory always.

This was a gorgeous new novel by Anthony Doerr. Thank you to the published and to Netgalley for granting my request! In true Anthony Doerr fashion, he connects beautifully the unconnectable with seemingly impossible circumstances that weave togther wonderously. I loved every section of this novel (although the historical part was my favorite) and exquisite prose that he is famous for is once again in every sentence. After I finished it, I reread it again. I think he might win another Pulitzer for this.
100 stars!!

From the author of All the Light We Cannot See comes an ambitious work of literary fiction. Doerr's novel toggles between three timelines - the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, present-day Idaho, and interstellar ship far in the future. Each piece explores the power of stories as a fictional ancient Greek comedy weaves throughout the entire book. I predict that Cloud Cuckoo Land will be hit or miss with people since the plot doesn't converge as powerfully as it should. Yet, the awe-inspiring power of the written word that Doerr evokes in every sentence will be appreciated by literary fiction lovers.

Anthony Doerr’s new novel, Cloud Cuckoo Land, will perhaps not pluck the heartstrings in quite the same way as his earlier masterpiece, All the Light We Cannot See. But make no mistake – it is another ambitious, astonishing and successful work of imagination that will echo in the mind long after the reader closes the book.

Cloud Cuckoo Land defies categorization. Much like his earlier work, the book is part historical fiction (two of the story’s young protagonists find themselves on opposing sides during the 1453 siege of Constantinople), part romance (the heartbreaking tale of love and destiny overcoming great geopolitical forces), and part suspense (a present day, misguided terrorist attack in a public library). But it also has elements of science fiction (another central character is aboard an interstellar ship escaping the ecological destruction of earth) and fable (the ancient Greek tale of a foolish young man who wishes to be transformed into a bird is the thread that loosely ties together these stories and characters who are separated by centuries).

In other hands, this story could easily devolve into wild fantasy, bland romance or, worse, an ecological polemic. But Doerr’s genius is his ability to deliver a profound message about our failing stewardship of the earth without losing sight of his responsibility as a novelist to engage and entertain. This is really what makes Cloud Cuckoo Land great and important literature, alongside All the Light We Cannot See – and reestablishes Anthony Doerr as probably the foremost American novelist of our age, writing at the height of his powers.

Cloud Cuckoo Land is a new favorite book. I have no clue what I was expecting going in because I selected this simply for the author. The story slowly u folded in multiply timelines from multiple points of views, with an old Greek story weaving them together. There’s Omeir and Anna in ancient Constinantinople. There’s modern day Idaho with a special little library, and Seymour who sees and feels too much. There’s flashbacks from a librarian to his youth. Then there’s the future and Konstance. Each of these timelines is revisited time and time again, with Doerr masterfully adding layer by layer to the characters with the result being a beautiful novel. I read in bits and pieces while on vacation and each time I was able to revisit the story was like being able to take another bite of a special treat.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to read this special book! Thank you to Anthony Doerr, NetGalley and Scribner for an advanced copy of this book for a review. I LOVED it.

Cloud Cuckoo Land is a quiet triumph, slowly telling the interconnected story of five strangers and the thread that holds them together - Diogenes' story of Aethon. The story is told from each character's point of view, and it builds slowly. This story is not for the reader looking for immediate gratification. But if you're willing to settle in for the storytelling, the gratification comes, once you've stepped into the shoes and stories of Anna, Omeir, Zeno, Seymour and Konstance. None of the characters is the traditional hero character, instead their routine lives are ones that get interrupted by the world around them, and each is forced to decide if they're willing to be compliant with the change forced upon or if they're willing to write their own part in the story, much like Aethon inspiring for more. Will Anna be more than an embroideress? Will Omeir be more than a oxen herder conscripted into a sultan's army? Will Zeno find purpose after a stint as a POW in the Korean leaves him adrift? Will Seymour take action against the people that have taken the one friend he has away from him? Will Konstance survive alone on the Argos? As much as the reader wants resolution for the characters, the journey is just as fascinating and beautiful as any destination where they could land. Beautiful storytelling once again from Doerr.

I just couldn't do this book. I got through 50% and realized that it might be better targeted to a Young Adult population of readers. I think High Schoolers might love it. I found the current day stories compelling, but I couldn't relate to the ancient or future ones. I wanted to finish it because so many readers have given it 5 stars because of the ending and the way the stories tie together, but I found myself skimming, and that's not fair to the writer or the story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me a chance to read Cloud Cuckoo Land.

After 7 years of waiting, Anthony Doerr does not disappoint with his newest title Cloud Cuckoo Land. A 5 star novel that will stay with you long after you’re done reading, I wanted to savor every page. As illustrated in the book’s dedication “For the librarians then, now, and in the years to come”, Cloud Cuckoo Land pays homage to books and reading.

By interweaving stories from the past, present and the future, Doerr illustrates the connectivity of generations and the power of hope. Beautifully written and transporting plots intermingle together to illustrate adolescents on the verge of adulthood and the influence that one story, Cloud Cuckoo Land, has on all their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for the advanced readers copy and the opportunity to read this amazing novel that is sure to be the best book of 2021!

Great weaving of storylines. This book will keep you reading all the day long! I loved the imaginative way the story came together and in my imagination I was part of all the storylines.

Thank you Anthony Doerr for another book I will read every few years to restore myself.

I plowed through this in just over 24 hours. The characters and story are compelling, and kept me turning pages all day. I loved seeing the plot threads come together and weave into something beautiful. This is a fully immersive story; it plays out like a movie. I could see and hear Constantinople, Lakeport, Konstance.

That said, I figured out one major plot point very early on. That is not Mr. Doerr’s fault at all, I just read too many books and watch too much tv.

So far, this is in the lead for my best book of the year. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not able to download the book correctly and therefore could not read it. I was really looking forward to reading the book. It was very frustrating trying to get the book to download to my Kindle

"Stranger, whoever you are, open this to learn what will amaze you”

Read this book when you have the time to lose yourself for hours/days at a time because once you begin, you won’t want to stop. Five stars isn’t nearly enough for this ambitious, heartbreaking, beautifully written tale that at it’s heart is an homage to books and reading, but which touches on so many big themes in its wild ride back and forth from 1400’s Constantinople, to present-day Idaho and out into space where a group of earthlings hope to find a new planet to inhabit. The characters are real and well-drawn, the movement from the past to the future and back to the present feels seamless, the connections between the segments are slowly revealed, and the prose is beautifully poetic. This is a book that will win prizes, and spark deep discussions - it is about connection and hope, longings, and one’s search for a life that is both authentic and rewarding. This is a story that will stay with you for a long time after the last page is turned.

I am not going to give a synopsis of this novel, I would refer you to the publishers description. I can say that this story moves through time, place and person in a curious way. At first I wasn't sure what was going on, but the story draws you in and actually makes you think.
This is a wonderful book. It is a book of wonder. It is captivating and even educating. I loved it. That is all I can say.
I now feel moved to find out more about living in "cloud cuckoo land" and about ancient Greek playwrights. Prior to this book, they were never on my radar.
Enjoy!

Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for the early read.

I read and reviewed a physical copy of this, and wanted to leave a review here as well.

Wow. I knew going into this that I loved Dorr's work, but I was absolutely blown away. This takes everything readers of ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE have come to know and love and mixes it with myth, magic and space. Doerr has such, SUCH a great way of writing believable characters and the way he details their relationship to the world around them is some of the best I've honestly ever seen. At first glance, this story doesn't sound like it would live up to the hype of his bestselling novel, but it does everything that novel does and then some. I fell in love with these characters, the myths, the mystery... and I cannot wait to see what Doerr has in store for us next.

Pick this up, immediately,

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

The novel stretches from 15th Century Constantinople and Bulgaria to the middle of the 22nd Century in Qaanaaq, Greenland. What ties it all together? A single Greek manuscript describing the journey of Aethon, who “lived 80 Years a Man, 1 Year a Donkey, 1 Year a Sea Bass, 1 Year a Crow.” (And, yes, I have instructed my children to use that in my obituary.)

The main characters are Anna, Omeir, Zeno, Seymour, and Konstance ... all dreamers and survivors. Each person, with their own motivations, does everything in their power to keep the story from extinction.

This is not light reading. It is 640 pages, and the ties between the characters ... and the manuscript and its tale ... are developed with care and detail. Even so, I never felt that the novel was plodding.

The book’s dedication is
For the librarian, then, now, and in the years to come.
This is so appropriate because at every turn we can see how a story can just disappear forever.

Even though very much different than All the Light We Cannot See, the characters and their stories are just as marvelous.


Thanks to Scribner Books and Net Galley for the eARC.

Doerr’s 2021 release of “Cloud Cuckoo Land” is a 640-page epic poem to literature and history. Spanning centuries in scope, he tells his tale through five separate narratives, two from the fall of Constantinople in 1453, two from the Twentieth Century, and one from the future as we journey to other worlds. All five narratives are connected by their work transcribing and translating an Ancient Greek myth filled with Magic and adventures. As you read this epic, you will be whisked back and forth between these stories and eventually shown their connections.

Each story is fascinating on its own. Be it Anna’s story as a powerless seamstress locked in the walls of the greatest city on Earth, knowing that the few soldiers left on it were scarcely sufficient to hold off the Sultan’s endless armies or his new siege engine and massive cannons. Outside the walls we hear the story of a young farm boy, Omeir, with a fearsome cleft who is shunned by all, later joining the great armies of the conquering force. In the Twentieth century we get the story of an odd young orphaned man, Zeno, who enlists in the Army to follow his father’s path to heroism, but spends the war in Korea in a POW camp, tortured and abused, and having his loyalty questioned upon return. Seymour is born to a single mother who is ill-equipped to deal with his autistic issues and scarcely knows what to do with his later environmental politics that he deals with Edward Abbey and the Monkey Wrench style. Finally, we get Konstance with a K, who is aboard a ship that will take generations, we are told, to reach its destination in the Stars.

Each narrative is touching and heartfelt and Doerr draws them all together with an Ancient Greek fantasy about a utopian paradise.

Enjoy the narratives for themselves, but the story as a whole never draws itself to an epic conclusion. And that’s the issue because, after this huge buildup, what you are really left with is basically the idea that we are all connected through history from our past, to the present, to the future. And, by the end of this volume, you kind of just wanted a little bit more.