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Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel Hardcover – September 28, 2021

by Anthony Doerr (Author)

4.5 31,707 ratings

Editors' pick Best Literature & Fiction

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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.

Print length

640 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Scribner
Publication date

September 28, 2021
Dimensions

6 x 1.8 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1982168439
ISBN-13

978-1982168438
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Get to know this book

What's it about?
A novel about children on the cusp of adulthood in worlds in peril, who find resilience, hope, and a book.
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Sometimes the things we think are lost are only hidden, waiting to be rediscovered.
5,419 Kindle readers highlighted this
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“That’s what the gods do,” he says, “they spin threads of ruin through the fabric of our lives, all to make a song for generations to come.”
5,308 Kindle readers highlighted this
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In a child’s cursive, beneath the crossed-out lines, Aethon’s new line is handwritten in the margin, “The world as it is is enough.”
4,366 Kindle readers highlighted this

From the Publisher

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

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; First Edition (September 28, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 640 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982168439
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982168438
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.8 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #33,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #836 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books)
- #969 in Space Operas
- #3,192 in Literary Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.5 31,707 ratings

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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.

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Emily Layne

For us whose lives have been changed by books

Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2023

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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.

122 people found this helpful

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By the Book

‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ weaves history, myth into ‘paean to books’

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021

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Five characters living in three different centuries and four different places are all saved by a story. A story that allows them to “slip the trap” of their fear or misery. Anthony Doerr tells their stories in ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land,’ a book that he calls a “paean to books.”

The ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ in the novel is a 1st century tale written by Diogenes that tells the story of Aethon, a foolish shepherd who leaves home in search of Cloud Cuckoo Land, a fictional place where there is no pain and turtles walk around carrying honeycakes on their backs. On his journey he is turned into a donkey, a fish, and a crow.

Although there is no actual ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land,’ there was a 1st century writer named Antonius Diogenes. Moreover, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of works that we know of but have been lost, some of them comedies about men being transformed into donkeys. Doerr uses this imagined tale to tie his characters together, even though they are separated by geography and time.

Konstance, 14 years old, lives aboard The Argos, a spacecraft launched 65 years earlier headed to a distant planet that is to be man's new home. Zeno is 80 years old and leading a group of fifth-graders in a production of ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ at the public library. Seymour is a young man who is intent on placing a bomb in that library. Anna is a young girl that works in an embroidery shop with her sister in 15th century Constantinople. Omeir is a Bulgarian boy who is drafted by Sultan's army in their attack on Constantinople.

Each character is abandoned or outcast and each is saved by a story. Konstance is the last human left alive aboard the Argos. Zeno is a gay man in rural Idaho in the mid-20th century; Seymour is autistic; Anna is an orphan; Omeir is born with a cleft lip.

Anna discovers a codex of ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ in an abandoned priory. She and Omeir escape Constantinople as it falls to the Ottomans. They view the book as a talisman that gives them luck in their escape and even heals one of their sons when he has a fever.

Zeno has spent years teaching himself ancient Greek and translating ancient works when a lost story, ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land’ is discovered in the Vatican library. Zeno finds joy in the ancient tales and is elated by the discovery. Seymour, regretful of his crimes, assembles Zeno’s work on Aethon’s tale into a book, ‘Cloud Cuckoo Land.’ In doing so, he finds some redemption.

Konstance, alone on the Argos, recalls the stories of the foolish shepherd that her father told her and searches the ship’s library for the stories. In doing so, she discovers a secret that leads to her escape.
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. A story that allows them to “slip the trap” of their heartbreak or existential misery. A story that allows them to live inside of it for a few precious moments and be content, entertained, and remember the loved ones they have lost.

The alternating chronologies and main characters make this book compelling. And although it’s over 600 pages, you will find yourself finishing it in just a few days. The characters are endearing, especially Zeno and Anna.

Anna, who is so young and so fierce, who trades stolen wine for reading lessons, is willing to brave any challenge to keep herself and her sister alive. Zeno, the sweet orphaned boy who is both foreign and a “sissy,” volunteers for the army to honor his father, who died in WWII, returns from a POW camp to dutifully cares for his dying guardian, a selfish woman who offers him only shelter, never love.
Even six weeks after finishing the novel, I find myself still thinking about these characters and their moving stories.

This 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. If you love books, you will love this book.

108 people found this helpful

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science writer

Memorable

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023

Verified Purchase

A flawed, but humane and poignant story that held my attention and touched my heart. I was a bit bothered by the isolation and loneliness of the five main narrators, none of whom interacted much with anyone else for most of the book. Although shadowy figures surrounded the five, each seemed encapsulated and absorbed in their own world–and this made the telling a little bleak. For me, characters need to relate to other people--that’s what enlivens a story–and there was very little of that here.

The lead up to the battle of Constantinople was exhaustively and exquisitely described, and I marveled at the quality of the writing and the depth of the research Mr. Doerr must have done. However, this section went on way too long–and the battle itself was hardly mentioned. Not a good idea to have a powerful and dramatic build up and then practically no resolution.

Konstance’s story ended on a confusing and ambiguous note that raised more questions than it answered.

But Mr. Doerr writes so tenderly and sympathetically of his characters that this reader (at least) couldn’t help but love them all. That includes Moonlight and Tree.

Four and a half stars.

9 people found this helpful

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Dr O.

splendid storytelling

Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2023

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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.

One person found this helpful

Pablo B.

¡ENTRA EN LA LISTA DE MIS NOVELAS FAVORITAS!

Reviewed in Mexico on April 13, 2022

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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%!

One person found this helpful

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jairo

Leveza mesmo em tempo de guerra.

Reviewed in Brazil on April 12, 2022

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Anthony Doerr mais uma vez nos guiando com leveza (mesmo abordando uma ou duas guerras) numa (ou mais) aventura (s) com erudição e classe. Para ler sem pressa.

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Kindle Customer

Excellent

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2024

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An excellent and enjoyable masterpiece of fiction. Expertly and elegantly intertwined tales, told with a mastery of language, tone and imagery that instantly and effortlessly transported me between a contemporary U.S. small town, near-term North Koren, a besieged medieval Constantinople, ancient mythological Greece, and the icy depths of interstellar space!!
One of the best reads I've encountered in ages!

3 people found this helpful

Jacob Werblow

Unique and mesmerizing

Reviewed in Germany on March 11, 2024

Verified Purchase

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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