Upon learning that Doerr had written a new novel, and that a digital copy of the book was being offered via NetGalley, I excitedly requested and prayed to the literary gods that I might be fortunate enough to be blessed with early access. What a joy it was to learn that my request was approved!

In Cloud Cuckoo Land, Doerr has thoughtfully woven together five captivating stories to create a rich and intricate tapestry. Although the threads span centuries, continents, and cultures, each story has as its central theme the incredible power of the written word. As each of Doerr’s compelling characters discovers, whether scrawled onto torn scraps, scratched into sand, inked onto scrolls, or printed in books that line library shelves, the written word is capable of transforming lives by allowing its reader to acquire knowledge, develop social connections, and perhaps most importantly, maintain hope for a better tomorrow.

Perhaps I should have prefaced my review with the following: I believe Anthony Doerr is one of the most brilliant storytellers of our time, and All the Light We Cannot See is on my list of Top 5 All-Time Favorite Books. But after reading Cloud Cuckoo Land, I asked myself if I would have enjoyed the book as much as I did had it been written by an unknown or unfamiliar-to-me author. My answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!” And while my preferred genre remains historical fiction, as was his last novel, Doerr’s ability to cohesively blend historical and contemporary fiction with elements of fantasy and science-fiction, as he did in Cloud Cuckoo Land, is a testament to his awe-inspiring talent.

Thank you to Scribner Books for giving me the chance to read a copy of this book. I read All the Light We Cannot See years ago, and I have anxiously been awaiting another book from Anthony Doerr ever since (even though he has quite a few backlist titles, you know how it is when you are anxiously awaiting the NEW book). I have always been a little intimidated by large books, and this one is no exception, coming it at around 600 pages. There are quite a few story lines going on in this book, the main ones being Anna and Zeno, who live hundreds of years apart, but share a love of books. There is a lot going on in this book, and I don't know if it was the changing times or multiple perspectives, but I did have a hard time getting into this one, mainly because I had a hard time following it. There is no doubt that Anthony Doerr writes beautiful prose, but I only made it about 200 pages into this one before I decided to put it aside for another time. I do think I will pick it back up again, but right now, my brain seems to only be able to focus on quick, short, and easy reads. Sorry Anthony- it's not you, it's me!

One of the most imaginative novels and beautiful narrative experiments I've encountered. Perhaps the most successful conceit of all is the author's total invention of Cloud Cuckoo Land. I especially loved the sections with Seymour and Zeno and the librarian staging a magical production. I'm not sure how successful the "connection" was--especially to the ancient inside/outside the wall of Constantinople. I do think general readers will have to take a leap of faith in this book, for its unconventional structure and ambitious multivocal POV can at times be confusing. But, immersing yourself in the prose will provide great rewards for those stalwart enough to go through the entire book.

"Cloud Cuckoo Land" by Anthony is absolute perfection. It's a masterpiece. Even though it is only September, it will be the best book I read all year. I lack the vocabulary to describe just how marvelous this book truly is! "Cloud Cuckoo Land" is definitely one of the most inventive, riveting, and compulsively readable books I have ever had the privilege to read. The prose is gorgeous and paints so vivid a picture that the characters come alive from the pages. It's the kind of book that makes a reader want to call in sick to work so he or she can devote every second to it.

Set in three different times and following the lives of several characters, this book tells a tale of war, love, pain, fear, endurance, and hope. Though it is difficult at first to see how each story connects with the others, the author eventually deftly weaves them all into one astonishing finish. I never thought Mr. Doerr could top his Pulitzer Prize winning book, "All the Light We Cannot See, " but Cloud Cuckoo Land has done it! I hope Mr. Doerr has room on his shelf for more literary awards, because this book is going to win them all! I rarely ready books again, there are just too many good ones out there, but this is a book I will read again and again. I was positively dazzled.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and to the author for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this magnificent book. It is definitely one of the best books I have ever , and will ever, read. All. The. Stars.

I preferred 'All the Light We Can Not See" to this book. Just did not hold my interest. Sorry. I am not able to give a more positive review. Thank you for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This novel has A LOT going on. And it can be confusing w/ multiple characters, storylines, times, places, place in time, etc. Anna & Omeir are in 1463 Constantinople, Zeno is in present-day Idaho and Konstance is somewhere in the future on a spaceship. We don't really see the connection until the end of the novel.
This was a hodgepodge of different genres - fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, a contemporary themed story of the dangers posed to the environment. While ultimately connected, I felt like I was reading several different stories. All of the connections aren’t revealed fully until the end, and it felt a little contrived. n the end, though, It’s definitely different from anything I’ve read in a while which is most definitely the magic of Anthony Doerr.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this novel.*

This book gives you five characters to love. I enjoyed the different combinations of genres - historical fiction, science, fiction and fantasy. I usually do not read fantasies, but I really liked "All the Light We Cannot see" by Anthony Doerr, so I just had to pick it up.

With the many different characters, we also get the many different timelines. You really had to focus as it can get confusing as to who's viewpoint we are reading. It took me about one third of the way until it really reeled me in. The chapters are short and it made me finish the book faster. I loved the ending!!! It just made the whole book wrapped up together, and everything made sense! Highly recommend! Anthony Doerr has done it again. Well done!

I was looking forward to reading this ever since I learned that Anthony Doerr had a new book coming out. I love the cover and was very intrigued by the synopsis. However, once I started to read, the separation of the chapters with the back and forth between multiple characters and timelines made the reading hard to follow. Due to this choppy feeling, I never felt invested in any of characters or the story lines, finding it difficult to continue reading. It is a very unique story that is truly unlike anything I’ve ever read before, so I think that you may find people on both ends of the spectrum on this one..but it just didn’t do it for me as a reader.

Thank you Netgalley, Scribner, and Anthony Doerr for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I feel like one of the last people who have not read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Honestly, what drew me into Cloud Cuckoo Land was the title and cover. Also knowing the the author's previous work is favorited by so many helped also. While the prose of this novel is easy to read, it seems very choppy, and I had a hard time caring for most of the characters. Right when I settled into one story, the chapter ended and I was whiplashed into another. I think that should this novel be laid out and told linearly, then I would have enjoyed it a lot more!

I tried reading Cloud Cuckoo Land, but it didn't grab me. I don't know if it was the mood I was in or the style. I'll have to try another time.

“A text—a book—is a resting place for the memories of people who have lived before. A way for the memory to stay fixed after the soul has traveled on.”

CLOUD CUCKOO LAND is the much-anticipated novel from Anthony Doerr, author of ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE, which I loved! This book weaves together characters and stories from three distinct times: 1400s Constantinople, present-day Idaho, and an interstellar ship decades in future. The common thread through these stories is an ancient text about a man who longs to travel to a utopia somewhere in the sky. I had high expectations for this one and really enjoyed it! Even though the length (over 600 pages!) is a little daunting, the alternation between the characters and time periods provides some good pacing. I absolutely love Doerr’s writing and am in awe of his creativity in developing this story and tying it all together. At its heart, it’s a book about stories: how they draw us in and connect us and even change us. This is a book that will stay with me. Highly recommend for book lovers or for anyone who simply loves getting lost in a well-crafted and absorbing story. 4.5/5⭐️—I really liked it!

This.... Is my new favorite book.

I did NOT expect to love this book, particularly due to the length, but this book was absolutely beautiful.

This book has three separate plots: 1400s Constantinople, through two perspectives of a young boy and girl, modern day, through two perspectives of an old man and young adult who spent their entire lives in the same town, and an intergalactic future, told by a young girl who is on a mission to another planet after humanity decided to leave earth.

While the several perspectives was extremely intimating at first, Doerr did an amazing job and brining you into each story, where it was not difficult to follow at all.

The most incredible part is the way the stories are threaded together, showing the darkest parts of the human experience while simultaneously telling the most beautiful story of what it means to be human.

I would read this book over and over again. Thank you, Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for feedback and bringing this book into my life.

Anthony Doerr's newest novel is told across the past, present, and future.  The settings are ancient Constantinople (not Istanbul), modern day Idaho, and a generation ship traveling through space to find a new home for humanity.  All three are related through an ancient Greek play (Cloud Cuckoo Land), about a shepherd who mistakes a performance of Aristophenes' "The Birds" for a real description of a paradise in the clouds where the birds live.  Sound confusing?  Fortunately not.  Doerr does a great job keeping the stories taught and easy to follow.  They are tragic and hopeful, with characters that are likeable and easy to root for.  This is a great book that manages to be both plot and character driven, with thought and care given to every detail.  There is too much to discuss in a brief review, but if you like stories, history, and well developed characters, you will love this book.

I remember reading Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See and being in awe of his superbly exquisite prose and character development. As soon as I saw that Anthony Doerr had written a new book I knew I had to read it. Cloud Cuckoo Land was equally as impressive and so well imagined. I have to admit that I was quite confused for a good part of this book, though. Be prepared…there are many characters and three distinct time periods that Doerr took the liberty of switching between. Doerr alternated the chapters in Cloud Cuckoo Land between the three distinct time periods and the storylines of the various characters of that time period. Just when I thought I was getting a handle on the story the time period would change and I had to really concentrate to figure out what was happening again. Thankfully, Doerr expertly brought all three time periods, past, present and future, and all the characters together by the end of Cloud Cuckoo Land with the inclusion of one final ending twist.

Cloud Cuckoo Land explored the past in Constantinople with the orphan Anna and the disfigured boy, Omeir in the 1400’s with the Siege of Constantinople and the discovery of the library book about Aethon. The present time occurred in Lakeport, Idaho and involved the troubled boy, Seymour, who was very aware of and deeply affected by the abuse the environment suffered by the hands of man. As a result, Seymour became an ecoterrorist and put Zeno, the translator of old languages, five elementary age children and some library personnel at risk with his planted home made bomb. Zeno had translated the Greek play Aethon and was helping a group of five elementary students rehearse and perform the play at the local library when Seymour appeared and proceeded to hide his bomb. The final time period took place in the future with Konstance. She was a fourteen year old girl that resided in a spacecraft manned by Sybil headed for a “new Earth”. The common thread that connected and wove all three time periods together was the Greek play, Aethon. Cloud Cuckoo Land was about survival, a love for libraries, friendships, love, war, a love for books and the written word, resilience and hope from the perspective of children on the verge of adulthood over different time periods and locations, fear and chaos. It was a mixture of science fiction, historical fiction, Greek mythology, and fairytale. Cloud Cuckcoo Land was beautifully written and came together so splendidly by the end. The characters were unique and so well thought out. Although I was frustrated for a good portion of this book while I tried to connect with each time period and so many characters, I was so glad I stuck with this story. It was so worth it by the end! I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster/ Scribner for allowing me to read this advanced digital copy of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I was really looking forward to reading this one and I was worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype. It is wonderful.

A Greek manuscript—about a shepherd who takes a magic potion and, wishing to become a majestic owl becomes a donkey instead, then lives as a fish, and finally, as a crow, flies to a mythical city in the sky— gives hope to the sick niece of the author, and takes a life of its own as it resurfaces in medieval Constantinople—shortly before the fall of the Byzantine empire— in the hands of a girl, from where it takes a circuitous route across Europe and it is rediscovered in modern day in the Vatican Archives.

As the pieces of the manuscript are scanned and uploaded into the internet’s public domain, a man in present-day Idaho makes the decision to translate it from original Greek into English. Cloud Cuckoo Land, the title of the manuscript and of this novel, follows the lives of two medieval youths (the Byzantine girl and an Ottoman invader) and the translator’s, from childhood to old age, the latter impacting two other main characters via his translation.

Cloud Cuckoo Land is a kaleidoscopic mosaic of eras, characters, and genres that, far from feeling dizzying, invites the reader to pay close attention and become emotionally invested in the fate of all characters. Part historical fiction—as when describing life in the city of Constantinople shortly before the fall of the city to Sultan Mehmet II’s (who is never mentioned by name) army and the subsequent fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Ottoman— part climate change awareness, sci-fi/dystopian, and at all times literary, this novel, divided in twenty-four chapters that stand for the 24 tablets of the Greek manuscript—supposedly found in a tomb— at the heart of the novel, is magical storytelling of the kind not often seen anymore, like a story told on dark nights by the campfire by traveling storytellers of old.

This novel is 640 pages and sometimes it feels that long, particularly because it's more literary than thriller and it takes its sweet time to unfold, again, as the stories of old; that is not to say that nothing happens, plenty does, just not the kind of things that make one’s heart race. Two or three villains come and go, but the main one, if one can call him that, is likable in the sense that one can understand his motivations and maybe empathize. The central thread of Cloud Cuckoo Land, the Greek manuscript, becomes a beacon of hope in dark times for the main characters in all eras, and teaches them the enduring power of books and libraries.

I read a chapter a night, but my reading picked up substantially in the second half of the novel. Many readers complained that the novel is hard to follow due to the continued shifting in time but, knowing that there would be multiple eras involved, I started tracking characters and years in a word document I kept open throughout my reading; it served me well because I did not get confused.

In short, a slow but fulfilling and satisfying read.

Disclaimer: I received from the publisher a free e-book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

What an amazing book! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. As a fan of this author, I was so excited to read this and it did not disappoint! Although it took a while for the characters and timelines to gel, once it did I could not put this down. It's a giant of a book from the prose to the creative storyline. The writing style may not be for everyone, but I encourage you to stick with it as you will be aptly rewarded.

Each of the separate stories in this novel were easy to get into, but after their introduction, just didn’t hold my interest. I gave up at about 25%.

I loved “All the Light we Cannot See”, but just couldn’t seem to enjoy this one.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Scribner, in exchange for an honest review. I hope that it will be a great success for Anthony Doerr.

This book is an undertaking to say the least, both to read and I imagine to write. There is a lot going on and it is all connected but that is hard to see at first. There are three stories, one in the past of Constantinople, one in the current in Idaho and one in the future on a spaceship Argos. Not only is this a blending of stories but also of genres, as I said it covers A LOT of ground. While this is not a bad thing the problem was when I got too connected to one character, and then it would switch. It was hard to maintain my connection to them all in the way I wanted too and keep everything straight. What I did love was the connection of the power of literature across all these different time periods, how the stories we read change lives, build new worlds and help people at all stages of life. I would love to hear other peoples opinions about how they managed the depth and breadth of this novel.

Doerr is truly a phenomenal writer but his writing so dense that even as much as I read, I found myself having to backtrack to kept the timelines and storylines in order. I’ve never read anything quite like this. I’ve read plenty of split timeline historical fictions but to span history, the near past, present day, and the near future across five storylines, all connected by yet another, older text, feels entirely unprecedented.

To be honest, it took me a while to get into this book— it’s just so much. But the last 1/2-1/3 of the book was so truly remarkable that I forgot the slowness of the beginning. It’s a testament to human will, to the power of story, and to the role we all play as stewards of the earth and of our continued story as humans.